I am very inspired by my friend Quin who at 38 years old, decided to quit her corporate job, pack her bags, leave her husband behind and head to Australia to pursue a nursing degree. That was three years ago. Last year she was back to practice nursing at one of the private hospitals but it was not until yesterday that we finally found time to meet up for tea. And guess what? She’s heading back to Australia again, to further her studies and maybe attempt a medical degree.
A lot of people and friends I know suffer from mid-life career crisis. Yet not many have the guts to get out of the rut, let alone make a radical change. Even a simple step like quitting a job can be a painful decision to make. It is an extremely hard call to abandon a decade worth of experience to venture into something unfamiliar. Not to mention learning something completely new, starting afresh, and getting only a fraction of your previous pay package. I for example, opted for a safer career switch which leverages on my previous experience.
Quin did what most people would deem unthinkable yet she found joy and meaning in what she has achieved. Hers is definitely not an easy journey. Nursing after all, is not the easiest work as we all know. It calls for a certain dedication and definitely a lot of passion in serving the bedridden. Of course, there are gripes about the system and so on, but she is genuinely happier than she was in her previous occupation.
I admire Quin for not being afraid of change and moving out of her comfort zone. I admire her for her positive, can-do spirit. Most of all, I admire her for knowing what she wants and taking authorship of her life.
Yup! I admired ur friend too coz not many people can or able to move out of their comfort zone.
Comment by My Spellbound — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 @ 11:07 am
Wow.. I admire her courage too.. And her husband supports her decision? She has no kids?
I think when you have a kid, it becomes even tougher. Unless they are all grown up, and do not need you by their side.
You are right though, not many people can even take the step of quiting a comfortable job although it sucks.
Comment by zara's mama — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 @ 11:26 am
I agree with zara’s mama. It’s hard to pursue ur own dreams espy if with kids. I would hv gone for smthng less drastic.
Comment by Domestic Rat — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 @ 12:37 pm
Your friend is a rare person. Although it is even harder if you have kids, I think the real key is in your spouse. I was watching a special on CNA about a Singaporean couple who did do exactly that – take their kids out of school and move to the US for 18 months while the wife did her masters in childhood education. The husband, I think, quit what he was doing to take care of the kids. They gave up their condo and stayed in a tiny and sparse apartment, but the children, when interviewed, called it a very memorable time. The couple did say it was a huge role reversal for them because previously the husband was hardly ever at home, while the wife was the one caring for the family. To do something like this takes drive and passion and a willing to take risk, but if you don’t have that supportive spouse, it’s almost a non-starter.
It’s also not everyone who finds their “calling” – that true passion in one thing – no matter how early or late in life. She is lucky to have found it and had the will to pursue it. I’m just working on finding a calling first before I can contemplate anything further…
Comment by Hsin — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 @ 1:15 pm
I agree with you ..SS.. it is definitely not easy… especially to unknown territory.
I surely .. salute your friend.. and hope that one day.. i have her kinda courage too.
Comment by Mama BoK — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 @ 1:59 pm
The first step is always tough…it takes lots of courage to step out of our comfort zone…i admire her courage and salute her determination!
Comment by Eileen — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 @ 3:42 pm
Brave girl she is. Does she have any kids, though? Frankly, my company may consider sending me to complete my masters butI have no guts to make that move cos of kids and too much at stake here.
Comment by mother superior — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 @ 7:18 pm
My friend is very lucky to have a supportive husband. I’ve known him to be a very sensitive and sentimental man. She is without any kids, which makes things easier. But sometimes I wonder if we use our kids as excuses because I know I do sometimes.
Granted, most of us would not want to leave home. But sometimes we don’t even want to consider any changes even if it’s next door.
She’s one of those rare ones who would take that drastic step to realise her dream. But then again, not everyone’s dream need to be that radical.
Comment by sesame — Wed, 1 Mar 2006 @ 3:17 pm
Wow! How inspiring…
I’m stuck in a rut too. I spent such a super long time getting my PhD – only to find that I was no longer interested in research AND chemistry when I finally graduated. Hubs told me to go learn something I like. I did seriously consider learning a skill like dress making or hair dressing – but I’ll probably earn less than half of what I’m getting now if I switch careers… oh well, I’ve go so much to lose that I might as well stick to doing things I don’t like
Comment by the diva — Wed, 1 Mar 2006 @ 10:28 pm
Australia is a beautiful country. I couldnt think of a better place to spend a mid-life crisis (or mid-life courage)
Its no wonder we’re one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world. Everyone comes for a visit… and they love it so much they stay.
Its great that when and if she does have children, she’s got some fabulous life experience to share and a perspective that non-travellers cant imagine no matter how well read.
Wonderful !
Comment by honeysmack — Sat, 4 Mar 2006 @ 7:03 pm