Studying abroad is something that shaped my personal branding. During one of the best times of my life, was also the most stressful. Navigating through the world at any age is confusing, but that’s what makes the best outcomes. Both mentally and physically I was constantly figuring out what is important and personal to me. I want my personal brand to reflect my relaxed and happy way of life.
Throughout studying abroad, there are many uncertainties. But that’s how I wanted my experience to be. I wanted to just show up in a different country and go from there, something I had never done until then. To me, there is something liberating about going with the flow. I guess it’s because my whole life I have been taught to plan and schedule so that my life is “organized”, whatever that means. The point of this blog post is to understand that the most beautiful experiences come from uncertainty.
During my time abroad, I met many inspiring people who live by a mantra of a laid-back lifestyle. I say it’s inspiring, because I had never met people who lived day by day, hour by hour. I’ve always surrounded myself with individuals who have a plan for life and through my journey I have most certainly experienced there is no plan for life. Although, in theory if life itself adhered to a schedule of events it would make life easy, but in reality, that is far from what happens. But in all seriousness, I found myself to be extremely happy when I was living freely. Every great experience I had was because of my own carelessness. For the first time in a long time I was around people that I wanted to be like.
Through the pictures I took on a disposable camera as I navigated through Europe, they show my personal brand. In years’ time I can look back at these pictures and know exactly how I felt in that moment. I can remember travelling the United Kingdom and Europe with my best friend. I can remember all the amazing people I met. I can remember all the times we got on the wrong tube line. I can remember all the amazing sights I saw. Most of all I can remember my mantra for that time in my life, which I continue to practice.
My proposition to you is to be a little less stressed. Take a deep breath. Draw a picture. Go on a bike ride. Do something out of your daily routine. This will ensure that you are not getting stuck in a cycle that offers no genuine enjoyment to you. Reflect on yourself and what you are doing. Are you happy? Or are you looking for happiness?
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