This would be a very accurate description of my journey. I was done with the unwritten “rules” of society. They make life easy or so you would think, but essentially they create a comfortable, safe zone… Slaving away at a job that you don’t like, to be able to pay off a ridiculously expensive car you don’t need. Live in a good neighborhood that you can’t afford, but HAVE to stay in because they have good schools. Pardon me if I’m stepping on some toes because there are definitely people living by the “rules” and achieving happiness and that’s okay, but that was not for me. Different strokes for different folks. So my little ship has left the harbor for good!

Now I can almost hear some of you saying: Hah… typical Eat, Pray, Love scenario! Broken bird. Something to prove and trying to find herself. Nope, not broken… and definitely don’t need to prove anything… to anyone. I would also like to state for the record that I think the aforementioned piece of literature is a complete BS. So Liz goes and finds herself with a very convenient sum of publishing money already in her pocket for writing the book. Mmm… makes you wonder if it was her or the publisher who wanted to go on the journey? I have my ex-bookclub to back me up on this – enough said.

So, what to do? Where to go? As a child from a fairly conservative background, the general idea was to choose a sensible career and stick to it. Right? Not so much for me. I’ve always been an “otherwise” child and swimming upstream is something that comes naturally. To be able to travel and see the world is my number one passion, so whatever earns me enough money to fuel that passion is what I want to do. So, I just keep reinventing the wheel!

After a long stint in design, I took some time to think about it because ultimately I still needed money to perform this little adventure. Something that I would enjoy doing, while earning decent dosh and give me freedom to move around quite a bit. Well, in my early years of trying to get into the design industry I also did part-time hospitality work. A habit that stuck around through most of my years of publishing and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. “Crazy” is what most people think, but I can truly say that I enjoyed it!! The people and life experience you build while being a waitress should never be underestimated. Plus I get a certain satisfaction from ensuring everyone has a good time. Guests walking out of the restaurant with a smile on their face and thanking you for a GREAT evening can be very rewarding!

My research at the time pointed me in the direction of the luxury yachting industry. I believed as a stewardess on board of a yacht, I would get the opportunity to work with all kinds, serve many more and satisfy my never-ending wanderlust. I wasn’t disillusioned. I knew there would be ups and downs, long hours and difficult guests, but I was willing to give it a try. Feel free to read more about my travels and shenanigans from my blog posts.

When the yachting stint came to an end, I spent a year and a half in Cape Town figuring out my next move. During this time I worked in media again, but instead of being a graphic designer I ended up working as a production assistant at a film/ad agency. Suffice it to say, it was long enough to remind me that ultimately the 9-5 grind and all the trimmings that come with it, was not for me. So I kept inventing…

After some deliberation and a very convincing spreadsheet from my best friend, my choice fell on Vietnam. I would go there as a teacher to fuel young minds and hearts with my ageless wisdom… or at least try to teach them English for starters! Which you can also find out more about in my posts. May my journey serves as an inspiration and a reminder that:
1. Life is short, so do with it as you very well please.
2. Rules are meant to broken – there is no right or wrong.
3. It’s okay to keep changing careers.

I would consider the following to be my manifesto: