“It’s only by casting off from the familiar shores and exploring the unknown that you’ll begin to uncover the inner contours of your own soul”- unknown
I was having lunch at a café with an older friend when we got into a conversation about his life journey. He was born and raised in Nigeria. In the early 2000’s he relocated abroad to find himself; At the time, he was a single man in his 20’s working with one of the big fours with good pay and clear career trajectory, yet he felt unsure of who he was as a person. When the door of immigration presented itself, he decided to leave everything he had ever known in a quest for self-discovery. For him, finding himself was life-changing and I have tried to capture the major points in the paragraphs below;
Seeking your deepest passion and value: The ocean of self-discovery which births passion and value – both of which are idiosyncratic is usually found when you’re thrown into unfamiliar territory and forced to define yourself by inspiring or challenging experiences. In an unfamiliar territory, you cannot result in your same old answers because they most likely won’t apply. You’re forced to stretch your thoughts, and this is a perfect way to refresh your mind, interests, and approach to life. For him, the spark of exploration led him to question everything he had always taken for granted which was pivotal to finding himself.
Finding your two feet anew: There’s something about throwing away the crouches of your safe space- you’re forced to find the new you. You start to discover your interests, the people you connect with, your innermost disgust and the reason for everything. In your safe space, your interest and innermost disgusts are mainly as a result of customs forced on you.
The downside we seldom mention: While leaving home can lead you back to yourself, loneliness and homesickness can hit harder than ever. I mean you’re away from all you have ever known; the culture, the people, the food, it gets hard! But as with everything in life, adversity is bound to teach us more about ourselves than ease and of course this
Travelling is just one of the options: Travelling is a beautiful experience; it opens your mind and opens a world to endless possibilities. however, the world has become a global village and you can still find yourself at home – you just need to leave the routine and explore the unconventional safe spaces your hometown offers.
Sailing away from your safe harbour is life-changing; you discover yourself and the crux of your being.
You’re in a world of unlimited possibilities, don’t confine or limit yourself because you would not get a second chance at life – Its all here and now!
Here’s to a Life of discovery and exploration.
With love,
Tilly
