At the beginning of 2023 my daughter was feeling uncertain about which direction she wanted to take in life. After some thought, she decided to take a gap year.

When I asked her what she wanted to do with this time, her response warmed my heart when she replied “I want to get to know myself better and truly understand who I am”.

I responded by asking her how she was planning to do this, and her answer left me oscillating between parental pride and apprehension!

Her plan involved traveling abroad to Cambodia, where she would volunteer at an animal sanctuary and teach English to underprivileged children.

She decided that giving to others was the way she was going to find herself.

I felt immensely proud of her ambition, considering she was only 19. But I couldn’t help but wonder if she would actually fulfill these aspirations.

We all have grand dreams, yet many of us struggle to bring them to fruition.

Moving forward to October 2023, I received a message from her saying “last day of volunteer work is done! Looking forward to relaxing by the pool”

It was at that moment I felt incredibly inspired by her accomplishments. She hadn’t just talked about her dreams, she had taken action. She was there in Cambodia, caring for animals and teaching children.

There were a lot of hurdles she had to overcome to get there, and she had jumped every one of them.

We have had some brief conversations about her experiences while she has been away, and I can sense change in her. She feels more brave, confident, and independent. I cannot wait to talk to her in more depth when she comes back home. To find out what she has learned about herself and the world around her.

I know this experience will have touched her in so many ways. What she may not realise, is that it has touched those around her too. Those who have watched her jump those hurdles and achieve the things she wanted to do.

Although it was challenging as a parent seeing her go off on her own, I am wholeheartedly her number one supporter and my excitement for her journey and how she would grow from it, overrode any worry I may have felt.

I am so proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone and doing something that challenged her, and I really look forward to her walking back in the front door and meeting the person she has become.