One year ago today, I turn my life around.
Yep, it’s my one-year anniversary. A second birthday, if you will. I said good-bye to my little cubic farm, put my backpack on and left.
I used to plan the moment with my friend, shooting glitter gun at the doorstep of the office while handing out my brand new business card written ‘Runaway Juno’. As much as I really wanted to, I just walked away gracefully.
One year ago
I remember this time around last year, I was bitter, grouch, dark and deep. I had a big fort up around me with broken glasses on top, and creating my own little happy world. Yes, I was unhappy. Like a ninety year-old man who has a full of regret in his life. And then it hit me; I’m gonna live how many lifetimes, and why shouldn’t I change things? I should.
A lot of people asked me how did I know the right moment to walk away. My answer was, there are two choices; you can stop dreaming and compromise with your life or you can make your dream come true. Which one will you choose?
What have I done so far?
I traveled. Still am.
Traveling China is now out of my system, and I put Vietnam and Laos under my belt. America has been a big part of my year, and more exciting travel plan is waiting for me. Still I am traveling, to this day.
Not just that; I’m designing my life.
The best part about shifting gear of the life is that I truly feel something achieved for myself, not for someone else’s glory. I work more than I used to in the office but all the output comes to me. The magic of designing my own life is to know what I really want to do. I own it. The ideas, the plans, the time and the place; I can design it all. And also it means I have to be responsible for everything that could happen along the way. Can I handle that much pressure? Apparently I can.
It’s not so easy as it looks
My friends and family back home think I’m cursed because I have wanderlust and I’m different. The friends I met on the road think I’m blessed because I’m talented and I have the opportunities. It was like riding a rollercoaster for one year.
Without the support from the loved ones, it’s not so easy. But also, with the support from the other loved ones, it’s joyful. Living out of the comfort zone is always not easy; living in different country, traveling around the world… all sounds fascinating but it doesn’t mean that it’s always easy.
But life is not about how easy as it is; it’s about how we can make as easy as possible. There are two clear choices how to handle the obstacle in front of us; ignore and turn around, or jump over. What kind of person do you want to be?
You know what? I’m happy
That’s all I wanted to be able to say; I’m happy. Now I can. I’m thankful for the life that I can be happy wearing ridiculous hairnet, crying over hiking up 3,099m mountain, burning myself with a chicken pot pie, visiting the most boring town in the world and even working 14 hours a day.
Find things make you happy; and go for it. If you have any doubt on the way, ask yourself ‘why not?’. If you can’t answer that, there’s no reason to stop.
Changing the life; it is possible. Take my word for it.
Way to go Juno! But you are right, it’s better to find the life you want to live, even if it isn’t always easy, than living one you don’t want to live. I’m still trying to figure that out 🙂
Thanks Jarmo! Glad you understand the point. 🙂 It’s all about balance, and yeah I’m still figuring it out. It’s just a year; I still have many more years to go. 🙂
Congratulations! Glad to hear you’re still going strong and happy with this most awesome life change! Keep it up!
Thanks Steve! Say hi to my homeland! 🙂
“Changing the life; it is possible. Take my word for it.” ~ Juno
So true! Congratulations on the 1 year mark! we are just shy of 100 days from that mark. It is a truly awesome feeling being free of that little space saves so many call their office, known as the cubicle. There are times that I feel sorry for the vacationers spending a few days in a hotel only having to do back to the same office. Then I take my office and move it to the next Hammock 🙂
Keep em coming Juno.
Great post, and congrats! It’s amazing the sense of calm and happy that travel brings. I’m dreaming of my next trip, hopefully to SE Asia in December. Good luck on the rest of your travels, wherever they take you!
Thanks Andrea! SE Asia is a great place, anytime of the year. It’s warm, sweet and beautiful! Let me know how you like SE Asia. 🙂 I’ll keep seeking a great adventure, and share it via Runaway Juno!
Thanks for sharing your observations about your awesome journey so far! Your way of thinking is very inspirational! 🙂
Thanks Gaby! It’s been a very complicated year with a lot of thinking. I want to share my experience with others because I believe really everyone deserves to be happy and have a chance to change their life as they want to be.
Good luck on your digital nomad life! It’s a harsh road with the advantage of freedom 🙂
Yep, I agree. Thanks for your wish! I don’t consider myself as a nomad, just I’m seeking for a home. 🙂
From a traveler that is at a point where her dream is only just sputtering, I can say you are an inspiration! I am currently on a ¨trainee¨ trip through Peru and Im learning more about my weaknesses and strengths as a traveler. This will help me when it comes time for my big trip and ditching the cube! Happy Travels!
That is very nice. I also celebrated a year in my career and I am quite satisfied with how it is going.
Congrats on your anniversary! You are inspiration for all travelers. As long as you are happy, why stop traveling? Keep pursuing your dreams and keep the content coming!
It’s fantastic that you’ve found a path that you’re happy on. May you continue to find happiness every single day.
I am so happy to hear that you are happy! And honored for having been on your side when you decided to quit the cubicle. I will always support you and every dreamer that decides to go for it!
*hug* as usual. 🙂
YAY! Happy Anniversary, Juno! Your one-year anniversary of getting away from Korea was only 3 days after my 3-year anniversary of coming to Korea haha
I’ve really enjoyed following your adventures over the past year, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next year and beyond holds for you.
By the way, you totally should have done the glitter gun thing when you left your job, by the way. Best way to leave a job since Bridget Jones! 😉
Congrats on your anniversary. May there by many more to come!
Definitely the way to go Juno! It is amazing to see that it can actually work – travel and work. My traveling is much slower than yours by comparison, as I take on consultancy roles in the international development sector and tend to stay in one country for at least 6 month and up to one year. But even that enables me to travel and really get to know the country and off the beaten tracks. What kind of jobs do you take on to finance your travels or are you just relying on your blog for income?
Congrats! I think you made the right choice! 😉
Before we take the leap we are so scared but it always works out in the end, I’m so pleased to see you so happy.
Congratulations. I’ve been following your journal over the last few weeks. It’s especially nice to see this one. I will be giving up my cubicle very soon and look forward to the experiences and opportunities ahead of me.
Cheers to you on your one year anniversary, your courage, and for designing your own life.