b*

I no longer want to be extraordinary.

A lot of people are under the impression that nothing ever changes. They feel they live their same life over and over again. That doesn’t seem to be the case for me.

For the last five months I was certain I knew what I was going to do. Pay off my debt. Save up money. Fly to Australia and start a new life. I no longer want to do the last part.

I always thought running away to the other side of the world was something I needed to do. I needed to grow, I needed to do something extraordinary.

I recently spent three days away from home on a staycation in my country. It was quite the fact finding mission.

I realised how much I loved my family and friends. Sure I loved them before, but I realised how lucky I am that all of my friends and family live here at home. I don’t want to miss seeing my best friend’s children grow up or a potential nephew or niece in the future. Australia isn’t the right move for me.

For what I get paid my job isn’t half bad either. Yes I’ve had my ups and downs but I have finally got to a point where I have addressed all of my issues and can go back to work with a positive start and a fresh outlook. I’m lucky to be in this position. The Australian visa that I was eligible for would only allow me to work in one job for six months and realistically is off putting for employers. As my current job could be done by an Australian, there would be no chance of sponsorship or a skills visa. Australia isn’t the right move for me.

Once I am debt free, I am serious about getting my own space. This excites me a whole lot. I plan to save up for a deposit for a mortgage and look forward to having the independence and privacy I crave. In Australia I would have had to live in a hostel due to a housing crisis in the area I wanted to live. After my three nights stay in a hostel this week, Australia isn’t the right move for me.

I’d rather live an easier and happier life. I can always visit any place as a tourist and get my fix without uprooting my entire life.

Realising this all stems from an honest conversation I had with myself and making a life plan.

Getting through the year is my only goal. Only then will I truly be debt free and have savings.

There’s also small changes to my interests:

I guess the point I’m trying to make is change can happen. You can build the life you want and start living it. As long as you’re willing to put in the work, the world is yours.