#36. The Odyssean Journey

What Can Be Learnt From Global Exploration

Hey PatientPreneur subscribers/readers, Merry Christmas, I have absolutely been distracted by the festivities!

This article is a little different, and focuses less on public health activities, and a bit more on me and my journey over the last 10 months. Worry not, I’ll be publishing my usual article content next Thursday.

Take care of yourselves, and if you can, perhaps someone else too.

The Odyssean Journey

I woke up with a jolty jump start, my back protesting the night's slumber. My joints creaked and my body was weary. Yet, there was a strange sense of satisfaction, a quiet victory in the face of physical discomfort. A new decade had dawned, and with it, a fresh chapter in my life's story. Some time ago now, on 15 July, another year passed having travelled around the sun. At this time, I was wandering along the sun-drenched Grecian shorelines of the motherland. Like most people during their travels, I felt comfortable, calm, and free to be whoever I wanted to be. So, I chose to behave and hold onto my twenties for just a tad longer, until I returned home.

A few weeks ago, marked my major milestone and I have now been officiated into my thirties. Here’s how I brought in the big three-oh.

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A Heartfelt Thank You

First and foremost, I'm so grateful to everyone who came to my little get together / return to Melbourne / birthday. It was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces and hear about the achievements in 2024 which I missed It was amazing to see how organically people mingled and formed new connections, no matter their background. It was a pretty special night.

Of course, no event is without its hiccups. I had a few tech difficulties with the event software, which led to a flurry of emails and late-night troubleshooting. Challenges are gifts to our growth, and everything came together in the end!

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A Year Older, A World Wiser

I spent a lot of time thinking about the story I would tell that could condense a 10 month journey into a 30 minute presentation. Lucky for me, I’ve seen my fair share of TedTalks so I had a few tricks to deliver the same emotional mixture of intrigue, curiosity and excitement.

As I deeply reflected on my exploration so far, many key lessons emerged. However, the top three were pretty clear for me and I have completely absorbed them into my state of mind. Yes, they may seem a little generic at a surface level, but I can assure you that there are boundless enthralling stories that support my position. Here are my top three lessons learnt:

• The Meaning of Life: The secret to life isn’t about finding its meaning, but rather about creating meaning through our actions. Every day offers opportunities to make a positive impact, no matter how small.

• The Power of Gratitude: Expecting nothing and appreciating everything can lead to a more fulfilling life. By embracing the present moment and being grateful for the experiences and people in our lives, we can cultivate a sense of contentment and joy.

• Trusting Your Intuition: Following your gut and trusting your instincts can lead to unexpected opportunities and experiences. By taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone, you can discover new passions and perspectives.

This is simply my top three lessons. I grew into the habit of writing down quotes or thoughts as they solidified in my mind. As a fun exercise and sharing my learning with others, I cut up some surplus watercolour paintings and wrote down one of these quotes. At the end of the presentation I announced that each tiny art works were interactive and the intention was that if there was a connection with the words written, it should be taken home as a gift. The only condition was that we needed to discuss the topic over dinner at their house.

You’ll find the full list of these quotes and thoughts in the appendix. I will likely continue to add to this list as time continues and exploration becomes more of a feature in my life.

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A City Of Dreams

My year of travel was filled with incredible experiences and unforgettable memories. I fell in love with the charm of Toulouse (France), the bike-friendly streets of Copenhagen (Denmark), and the vibrant energy of Chicago (USA). These cities, with their unique cultures and lifestyles, inspired me to dream big and pursue my desire to have an international element to my work.

Living in a foreign country offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a new culture and way of life. It allows us to challenge our own perspectives, learn new skills, and develop a global mindset. However, I quickly learned that securing employment in a foreign country can be a complex and challenging process. In my experience so far, applying for jobs that require sponsorship often leads to low interview rates. The advice I consistently received was to start by applying for multinational companies in my home country, Australia, and then seek global opportunities by way of international transfers.

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A New Chapter Begins

While I’m back in Melbourne, my journey of exploration continues. I’m currently exploring different parts of Victoria and other regions of Australia, networking with healthcare professionals, and applying for jobs. The knowledge and skills I’ve gained from my travels have undoubtably equipped me to tackle new challenges and opportunities. However, I’m still struggling with the concept of time, especially when it seems to disable living in the moment and opportunistically seizing moments when they present. Obtaining a job and entering a routine I suspect will bring me back into reality during workdays. Time will tell – yes, that pun was intended.

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Appendix… if you are brave enough to read on…