Too late for a new start?

It’s obviously a little late in the year to post a “new year, new goals” post, but nothing in 2024 went as planned, so why should 2025 be any different? Let’s take our cue from the lunar new year instead.

To be honest, I have been reluctant to commit my goals to paper for fear I won’t achieve them. When we came to Dublin, I told friends that I wanted to write a children’s book, and for several months that is how I spent my time. I crafted multiple draft stories, I took a workshop on “how to write your story” for the best possible reader experience, and I began looking for illustrators.

But the longer I spent trying to get the story right, the lonelier I became. I was spending hours and hours a week totally alone, and any time out with friends or running errands was taking me away from my writing time. And I realized that I absolutely hated it. I hated how isolating it was for me to pursue this idea. So, I kind of just stopped. I blamed it on the holidays and being busy, but the truth was I just didn’t want to focus on it anymore.

It felt like such a huge failure that I really didn’t move the goal forward. I’ve always wanted to be an author, and I still hold onto that dream. But maybe right in this very moment it’s not the goal that makes the most sense for me to pursue.

So, then what’s next? I think focusing my efforts on experiences and work that round out my resume makes the most sense right now. A few months back I started interviewing women in my American women’s club and telling their stories. And a few weeks ago, I began volunteering at a community center nearby to help with communications and event strategy. Learning and development can happen anywhere, and success when you live overseas doesn’t always look the way it does back home, but that’s ok.

I’m proud of the “gaps” in my resume because while I do not have a traditional career trajectory, there’s immense value in the detours I’ve taken and the connections I have made. I believe they make me a more empathic leader and a better colleague. And boy have I had fun along the way!

I’m challenging myself to write more on this blog too, especially about travel. There’s no better reason to live abroad than getting the excuse to travel more!

We are nearly one year in Ireland now, and I have thoughts on that I will post soon too. There’s much more to come; I hope 2025 is as eventful and thought provoking as 2024!