I’m not sure which hostel it was at, but somewhere in New Zealand I noticed an ad for overseas occupational therapists as there was a shortage in the country. Occupational therapy was on the ‘short list’ of professions, so if you were qualified, it would be relatively easy to find work and residence in New Zealand.
I had graduated as an occupational therapist only a few years before. While I wasn’t exactly smitten with the profession, this suddenly presented an opportunity to possibly stay in the country I’d come to love. As I travelled onwards, it moved to the back of my mind, until I saw the same ad at another hostel. I was nearing the end of my stay in New Zealand, so I decided that once I had arrived in Australia, where I was headed to next, I’d look into it. And I did.
I gave my mom the shock of her life. And myself too, actually. Because this could have been it. This could have been the turning point in my life. This could have been the biggest change ever, going from living in the Netherlands to packing up my still unfolding life and starting fresh in New Zealand. This could have meant building a life somewhere else by myself and laying down roots in a place I chose to be in.
Once in Australia (my second time there), I couldn’t find my groove. I initially planned on staying about 3 months, but I decided to go home sooner. I was missing New Zealand, I was processing this whole potential life changing event and I was also excited to start chasing my archaeological dream.
So it didn’t happen. I didn’t have enough of a click with the profession. I never went the extra mile to get properly qualified for New Zealand. I wasn’t about to throw my life around for something I wasn’t sure about either. And while life is full of uncertainties, I was sure this wasn’t it. But it could have been though, and the whole thought of that made me rack my brain.
I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I emigrated to the other side of the world back then. It’s impossible to predict what my life would have looked like, though I think my life right here and right now is pretty cool. Is it perfect? By no means. Does it matter? Nope!
Alive and Trekking 
Great post! Interesting to follow your thoughts swinging to and fro – until the decision. And how wonderful that you really thought it through and waited for a while to decide. well done – and you still love NZ.
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Thank you so much! Yes, to and fro was definitely where my thoughts were bouncing off to. It’s a big decision to make to leave your home country and I still feel that if I ever do, it has to be for the right reasons.
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True. You are wise – and the step to take is huge.
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Thank you. It sure is!
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Such an interesting story. What if… it sure is a turning point in your life. Thanks for joining in on Friendly Friday
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Thank you. It was an interesting theme so I was keen on joining in.
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The bar has been set now, San. I’ll have to come up with another catchy theme. Have a great week.
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Hahaha, I’m sure it’ll be fine! Have a great week too!
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Life is doors and opportunities. Not every door is meant to go through, though it can open the mind to the possibility of ‘what if’ and to viewpoints one would otherwise not have. It can also clarify (as it seems to have for you) the direction one does NOT wish to go in, or isn’t ready to go into. Thank you for the post and for the stunning New Zealand photos! 🙂 Na’ama
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Exactly! It helps shape us and our lives. Sometimes, we just got to take life as it comes 🙂
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Yep!
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Instinct was telling you it wasn’t quite right so you made the right decision. We can never look back, just continue forward.
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Exactly. I’ve learnt tot trust my instinct and I don’t regret not emigrating back then. I’ve built a pretty good life here, even though I still have this curiosity about life in NZ. I’ll just enjoy going over for travelling! 🙂
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Good plan!
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What a neat post – both the BEAUTIFUL pictures and the thoughts about life’s journey 🙂
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Thank you so much! 🙂
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I have left my home town many times.. My philosophy is that you can always go back one day.. 😉
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That’s one way of looking at it 😉
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Great post. Sometimes signs show in the direction of not doing it. 🙂 I love your conclusion too.
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Thank you! 🙂
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