With just a little less than 24 hours to go before my flight and big move to Bali, I can’t help but feel a million and one different emotions right now. A new chapter in my life is about to begin and as much as I am excited, I’m also feeling nervous… and scared, and anxious and a tad bit overwhelmed. While everyone around me has been nothing but supportive and just overall positive; expressing their excitement, wanting to live vicariously through me, I’ve been, well, to be honest, a little all over the place, sometimes even questioning my own sanity. Don’t get me wrong though, I am beyond ecstatic to finally make this move and am extremely happy with my decision, but let’s be real here, this is my whole life that’s changing!

Sheltered.

Growing up, I had the best childhood. And that’s all thanks to my parents who worked hard to get to where they are. I was provided with everything I ever needed and more. Quality private school education, fantastic summer vacations all over the world, food in my belly, new clothes on my back, a nice house to live in, a warm bed to sleep in at night, and all the latest toys and gadgets. My parents made life extremely easy for me. We had a driver and maids, and not once did I have to lift a finger around the house. My job, at that time, was to study and be a kid. I lived a very sheltered life. Like I said, best childhood ever. Looking back though, now that I’m about to embark on a new journey, did this hurt or help me? 

Hurt: NOT a domesticated goddess… YET.

Because of my sheltered life, it is only now at the age of 28, that I’ll be moving out of my parents house. I’ll be doing my own chores — cleaning, laundry, cooking, and living alone for the first time. And even though I’ve prepared for this move as much as I can — learned how to operate a washing machine, tried to learn how to cook a few simple dishes, swept the house here and there, I’m still a tad bit nervous and quite anxious to see if I can actually do it. Despite the nerves though, I am determined to do this and thus have accepted the challenge of turning myself into a domesticated goddess.

Help: More independent than you think.

Where I lack in domestic skills, I more than make up for in my being independent. It’s something that’s innate in me, and my adventurous spirit combined with my experiences through extensive travel and street smarts have contributed significantly to this. I’ve learned more in my 8 years of independently exploring the world than I ever have sitting in a classroom. With all this under my belt, I’m quite confident that I can succeed in my big move, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have my fair share of uncertainty and questions lingering in my head. This is the first time I’m actually going to live overseas as an adult and not just be on vacation. And at the end of the day, this is all very new to me.

Living life full speed ahead.

While not knowing what’s really in store for me in the future scares the bejeezus out of me, I embrace this next phase in my life whole-heartedly. And even though there are still many ‘what-ifs’ and small doses of fear, I know that in the long run, this is something that’ll be good for me.

So here’s to taking the next step and turning those ‘what-if’s’ to ‘oh wells’ and living life full speed ahead.