Ever found yourself stuck at your desk, staring out the window, dreaming of escaping the daily grind? Or maybe you just wrapped up a grueling Saturday night shift, feeling completely drained, and you can’t help but wonder: Why am I putting myself through this? If you’ve been there, you’re definitely not alone!

That person was me not too long ago. I grew up believing the American Dream was all about going to college, landing a solid job, buying a house, getting married, and raising a family. But a few years after graduation, I had a wake-up call: that dream was stuck in the past, crafted by boomers and Gen X. Sure, some millennials and even Gen Z are still chasing it, but honestly, I think that dream is fading fast with the rising costs of pretty much everything. Have you noticed a trend lately? More and more young people are breaking free from the corporate grind in search of a life with deeper meaning! For some, that means packing their bags and starting fresh in a new country.

I was just like everyone else. I went to college, earned my degree, and landed a 9-to-5 job in HR. I still remember my first day vividly. The IT guy said to me “Congrats! You only have 42 years, 10 months, and 29 days until retirement!” He had calculated the exact day I could retire! At first, I brushed it off, I was excited to start my career as a corporate girlie. But as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months and the months into years, a sinking feeling grew stronger. I found myself sitting at my desk, pretending to work, and thinking, “There’s got to be more to life than this!” The thought of waiting 42 years to truly enjoy life was terrifying. Thirteen days of PTO? That just wasn’t enough to feel fulfilled. After three long years, I reached my breaking point, sat down with my boss, and handed in my resignation. I couldn’t do it anymore.

So, I took the plunge. I left my 9-to-5 behind and jumped into the restaurant and bar industry, thinking I’d found the freedom I craved. I could take time off whenever I wanted (even if it was unpaid), and the pay was surprisingly better than my corporate gig. Plus, I met some amazing people, many of whom became my best friends, who are still my friends today. I indulged in my love for food at all these incredible restaurants. But the downside of working in this industry is that it’ll suck you in. I worked alongside people in their late 30s, 40s, and older who have been working the same position for decades. And it was like a party—every. single. night. After shifts, we’d hit up the bar next door, staying out late and drinking until last call, with some nights going to someone’e apartment to continue the party. The next day I’d wake up in the late afternoon, only to scramble to get ready for another shift and do it all over again. Before I knew it, I found myself in a repetitive cycle again, stuck in the same bars, with the same faces, week after week. I was eating unhealthy, gained a bunch of weight, and constantly felt depressed, probably from all of the alcohol. And once again, I thought, “There has to be more to life than this.”

It wasn’t until my late 20s that everything clicked. I watched as friends around me climbed the corporate ladder, bought homes, got married, and started families. And there I was, feeling like I was nowhere near any of those milestones. But the thing was that I didn’t want any of those things, well I should say that I wasn’t ready for those things yet. I didn’t want to scale up in a corporate job, and I definitely didn’t want to be bartending into my 30s and 40s. Sure, I would love to buy a home one day and possibly get married but I’m single af and I can’t make a huge purchase like that at the moment. And kids? I’m not even sure if I want any. The one thing I was certain of? I wanted to travel the world. I haven’t even been to all of the places I want to visit.

I’ve dreamt of visiting Japan ever since I was a little girl watching my older sister play Shenmue on the Sega Dreamcast and Dragon Ball Z with my older brother. That dream only grew stronger as I got older, learned more about Japanese culture and, of course, watched even more anime. But I didn’t just want to visit, I wanted to experience what life was truly like in Japan.

In the summer of 2023, I discovered an opportunity that would change everything: the chance to move to Japan and enroll in a Japanese language school. At first, I was hesitant. Taking such a big step meant making major life changes. After a lot of thought, I decided to go for it. I sold my furniture, saved every penny I could, secured my student visa, and made the move, all within a year.

It hasn’t been easy, and the challenges continue, but I don’t regret a single moment. If you’re thinking about taking a similar leap, check out my other blogs where I share tips and insights on how I made it happen. Thank you for joining me on this journey!