Embracing Change: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Professional Growth 

Age 8 – I aspired to become an aeronautical engineer.

Age 12 – My dream shifted to becoming a ship captain.

Age 14 – I aimed to be a Graphic Designer.

Age 18 – My aspiration changed again, this time to become an economist.

Over time, my dreams kept evolving, leaving some people labelling me “confused.” Amidst this uncertainty, one thing remained constant: my desire for a dynamic and independent career where I could exercise creative autonomy. However, pinpointing the exact path proved elusive. So, I embarked on an experiment to explore my potential.

After a gap year following high school, I enrolled in a film school against my father’s wishes. My determination wouldn’t waver. I decided to explore every avenue of interest, with the intention of finding what truly resonated with me in my late teens and early twenties before specialising. My goal was to develop into someone capable of managing a creative enterprise.

I delved into self-learning through online tutorials, covering a wide range of skills, such as graphic design, copywriting, printing, digital marketing, photography, image manipulation and retouching, web design, set design, digital illustration, and social media management, among many others. I even dabbled in traditional painting using acrylics on canvas, and ventured into computer hardware and software.

The learning curve was fascinating, and I found myself drawn to certain areas of study more than others. I let go of those who failed to pique my interest. For example, web design originally intrigued me, but I eventually lost interest in back-end code. Similarly, traditional painting was abandoned as I considered its commercial viability. Nonetheless, many skills remained with me.

I graduated as the top film editor in my year group at the age of 23. Not only did I conceptualise and draw film posters for my peers’ final year projects, but I also illustrated backgrounds for animation projects and designed film sets. Among other things, I co-illustrated a book that was published. In summary, despite missing about 50% of my classes due to my pursuits outside of the classroom, I graduated with a diverse set of abilities and competencies.

 Outcome

I’ve gained a comprehensive knowledge foundation that will help me in my current position as a brand and communication manager. In addition, I have gained cross-functional knowledge and insight into other fields, such as psychology, philosophy, marketing, and business management. My resourcefulness and competence have evolved into professional superpowers. The majority of my career and side gig chances have come from recommendations, and my skills have opened doors to a variety of opportunities. Through these many experiences, I’ve developed networks, nurtured relationships, and widened my perspectives. My life is full of events, and I relish every moment.

Final Words

Accept your natural flow. You don’t have to have it all figured out in your twenties. To date, I don’t have a definite passion or purpose, and I’m not actively looking for one. Instead, I have a reason to get out of bed every day.
My life has meaning; I have a fulfilling profession, a loving family, and I generate value for myself and others while earning a decent living.
I’m certain about a single fact: I’m continuing to evolve and learn. I strive to be the best version of myself at all times. I don’t seek labels and am not interested in being boxed up; I simply want to be known as the person who always gives their all.