February saw the flying of the nest. My clan/ tribe whatever one may call it dissolved before I had time to even process the final hug goodbye. Articles and first jobs dismantled my support structure overnight, pulling them across the country and over borders. I remember listening to my parents talk about the exodus following university – although theirs was exaggerated hugely due to the political climate of South Africa at the time, it nevertheless feels as if flying South African soil (even just for a short while) is a right of passage for so many. I have never been particularly good at goodbyes nor change but coming off a Covid year, where we have all been forced to be a little more resilient and a whole lot more adaptable, coupled with extended periods of not seeing loved ones – made the breakup of my clan somewhat more bearable.

As my friends flew the nest and I recalibrated what my ‘gap’ year would look like I was granted the gift of time. Time for myself. Time to reflect on where I thought I would be, would like to be and where my place in this new normal is going to be. At times way too much time inside my own head, but nevertheless time to ask the difficult questions. Questions, which may have otherwise been pushed to the periphery as a backpacked through South America and hiked the Himalayas. I truly believe to have had this time, in my 20s is invaluable. Although ‘time’ has not necessarily correlated to clarity (regarding the dreaded question ‘so what’s next?) It has forced me to slow down, BREATHE and really think hard about the next big move. I recently had my chart read by Doctor Digby – a true veteran in the osteopath, homeopath world. He shared a piece of advice which is not nearly stressed enough – make time your friend (please all take heed of this). ‘Human beings, like flowers, bloom at different times’. We do not need to be running anyone else’s race. Growth is staggered for a reason – it makes life a whole lot more interesting. I needed to hear this and I am sure I’m not alone. So, It’s okay if you still haven’t found the thing that makes you tick, or the space where you feel most like you or the people who bring out the part of you that you’ve been desperate to share. There is time – more than you think.

So what if you ‘bloom’ late? It’s due time we shift our mindset around this and instead view it as a gift. Currently, I am traveling down a multitude of paths. I’m falling in love with my creativity again. I am painting, I am using my hands, I am thinking differently. But, I am simultaneously attempting to pursue a Masters in Social Justice whilst also investing hugely in my health. I have become passionate about functional medicine, so much so that It is a huge part of who I am today. ‘Blooming’ late is giving me time to uncover new truths about myself and a much needed opportunity to peel back those often stubborn layers. Change is hard. This current state of limbo is hard. But I think it is absolutely vital that we all (myself particularly) take a step back and remind ourselves that we are part of the bigger garden of success – our time will come and when it does, wow we really will bloom. So let’s normalise uncertainty, let’s give ourselves time to uncover all our hidden/ buried talents and passions and lastly let’s approach the question ‘so what’s next?’ with way more sensitivity.