trip – ZP's Radical Sabbatical

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Richmond, Canada

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!” – Dr. Seuss

The day has finally come.

The last two weeks have flown by, and I am sitting here at the departure gate waiting for my Radical Sabbatical to begin.

I’ve been super emotional these last few days. It’s really sinking in; I’m actually pursuing my dreams.

Gratitude continues to be the word that comes into my head when I think of the last few months leading up to this moment. I worked right up to May 31st (an opportunity that was given to me by my previous employer, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada) then I took my two weeks of (f)unemployment to go on my “Farewell Tour” where I saw some of my nearest and dearest.

It’s fascinating how life sometimes makes you forget how many people actually care about you?! I have felt so much love in these last few weeks; words of encouragement have flooded my phone and are helping me get through this extremely overwhelming time in my life.

Thank you to those of you who reached out and made time to host me in your homes or take me out for a meal. I have received an abundance of extremely thoughtful cards, gifts, and treats that I will cherish forever.

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go” – Dr. Seuss

My best friend Meghan drove me to the airport, as per usual. She was so gracious as I fumbled through my words and cried for the first leg of the drive. It’s not that I’m sad about leaving, I am just overwhelmed with every possible emotion and the output is tears. I know that in 365 days, she will be outside the arrival gates waiting for me to take me home. Gosh, I am fortunate to have a friend like her!

I went over to the mobile kiosk to print my boarding pass. I was speaking to the staff member about where I was going. She told me she went on a Working Holiday in her 20’s and told me I was in for the trip of a lifetime. Of course, I burst into tears when she asked me how I was feeling.

I got to the baggage check and was chatting with the agent. She asked me if I would like to upgrade to Premium Economy for $1,000 (I did not hesitate to decline). I did however change my isle seat on the left wing for an isle seat in the centre row because it’s looking like I’ll have the whole thing to myself (pppuuuhhhllleeezzzeee let that happen)! I weighed my bags and of course I was 1kg over the limit. I took out a jacket and the agent let me go through without any overage fees (thank you!!!).

Using my handy NEXUS card, I zipped through customs and spoke to some local Australians who would be joining my flight later tonight as we waited for our personal items to clear. They cheered me on as I shared my journey of embarking on my Radical Sabbatical; traveling brings so many people together!

Once I cleared customs and got to my gate, I sat on the floor in relief.

My anxiety passed, my nerves calmed, and I finally felt peace.

The adventure of infinite possibilities starts the moment the cabin doors close, and I am just ready to fall asleep.

Whenever I fly to Australia, I fly direct using Air Canada.
In approx. 14 Hours, you will arrive in either Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane

“And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!” – Dr. Seuss

I wish I knew what was ahead of me, yet in some ways I am glad I don’t.

Every single day is a new opportunity and I am blessed beyond words to be able to experience it.

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss
If you haven’t read this book, you MUST!

“So…
be your name Baubaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So … get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss

I hope you have enjoyed the glimpses of what’s going on in this head of mine over the last two weeks and I hope I’ve spiked your interest enough for you to follow the next 365 Days as I enter this season of self-discovery and find myself.

To see photo’s of my journey day-by-day, you can follow me on Instagram or find out who breaks my (f)unemployment streak by connecting with me on LinkedIn

Onwards,
-Zaighum

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, come humour, and some style” – Maya Angelou

I first heard the term “Radical Sabbatical” while listening to The RobCast: Sounds like Davin Young. Davin speaks about a season of his life where he experiences great success in both his professional and personal life, only to be met with burnout.

The feeling of burnout was met with great loss. He tells himself during this season of his life that he shouldn’t be burnt out, however he develops guilt and shame as a result of not being where he had pictured himself to be. So, he embarked on a Radical Sabbatical which took him out of his current space and into a season of self-discovery. In his time away he had a “sky splitting open” moment where he finally found the clarity that he was seeking.

Now, I don’t know about you but let me tell you, I was completely undone when I heard his story because that was where I was at in my own life.

As you read in my description, I am a Canadian Millennial that “had it all.”

I was well educated; I carried three credentials from three reputable institutes in the Metro-Vancouver area and was not burdened with student loans. I loved my job; had the best boss who I would literally go to the ends of the earth for, had a flexible schedule and working arrangements, did rewarding work in my community, got four weeks vacation a year, full dental/medical benefits, and collaborated with talented individuals locally and globally. I had a fully loaded and reliable car (well, it crapped out on me just before I became (f)unemployed; but that’s a different story). I had a solid group of friends that I could call on at any moment, just as I would do the same for them. Oh, and I was debt free. All of this at twenty-six years old.

Despite “having it all”, I grew frustrated with myself for my inability to find joy in all that I had; it was exhausting. I was surviving, but I was not living.

Then I went to Australia.

I walked on beaches I had never walked on before. I visited new places that took my breath away. I went to old places that carried beautiful memories from my childhood. I tried new restaurants. I got lost almost every day as the streets I once knew were blocked off or shut down due to development. I discovered I like Rum and Whiskey. I put myself out there despite being uncomfortable meeting new people and would say “hello” to just about everyone I saw.

I fell in love.

Now, I’m sure the people who know me have an eyebrow raised. “Who did he fall in love with and what’s the story?!”

I fell in love with myself. I fell in love with who I am when I’m in Australia.

January 1, 2019. Sydney Opera House on SYDNYE 2018.
This photo was taken just after the fireworks concluded. I made the decision I was going to pursue my “Radical Sabbatical” while surrounded by 7000 spectators.
(little did I know, it was going to happen much sooner than I had planned.)

When I am in Australia, I do not care what my hair looks like. The humidity alone causes me to put my hair up in a bandana most days. I wear whatever I want, I can’t really wear layers as it’s too hot so I have to accept my body for what it looks like at the time. I eat and drink whatever I want and as much as I want because I don’t hear anyone telling me, “you’re fat/overweight” or “you’ve let yourself go.” I do not make a schedule of what my day is supposed to look like or meeting deadlines. I go to the beach at least two to three times a week. I am not screaming at the driver who cuts me off on the road or freaking out because of traffic because I can get everywhere that I need to get to on the train. The structure, control, and perfection that I obsess over melts away.

I get the rare opportunity to press “re-start” and write a new story.

So, I am boarding a plane to pursue my dreams in 8 Days, 14 Hours, and 25 Minutes. I have a one way ticket, a passport, a wardrobe, years of education and work experience, and the little finances I have left in my bank account.

I have asked myself to do three things during my Radical Sabbatical:

Embrace rest
Be outside daily
Discover new places

I’m not sure where I go from here, but I can’t wait to find out!

Onwards,
-Zaighum

Tag: trip

Oh, the Places I’ll Go!

What is a “Radical Sabbatical” and why am I going on one?