WHY A GAP YEAR WAS THE BEST DECISION

HELLO BEAUTIFUL HUMAN, welcome to my little realm of the internet. In today's post I'm going to chat to you about why I think having a gap year was the best decision OF MY LIFE! (Probably not that dramatic, but it was a good choice).

I graduated high school last year and here in Australia the next step is university. I've always wanted to go to university, it's always been the plan. Initially I planned on going straight to uni but like most people I had NO IDEA what I really wanted to do. To be totally honest, I still have no idea. I was fortunate enough to get an offer from my number one uni, and eventually I decided to defer it and enjoy a year to myself.

Why I Deferred:

1. Sleep: Yes, as an 18 year old human, I just wanted to sleep. After 13 years of 7:15am alarms, I look forward to a good sleep in. TOO BAD! I was fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to get offered a full time job at the place I was already working at. Conveniently, I was filling in for a girl who was going on maternity leave for a year. So my dream of sleep ins and the occasional afternoon shift, turned into 5am alarms and 10 hour working days.

2. Self-Improvement: Again, a cliche gap year goal to "find myself." After spending so many years of my life in school, in school uniforms and a structured day, I was excited to spend some time to myself and discovering things about me. However, the longs days I mentioned effectively prevented that. However, throughout the duration of the year I did become more comfortable and confident in myself (read more below)

3. Maturity: When it comes down to it, I just wasn't ready. I was scared. To me I was just a little girl, whose parents still fixed all her problems. The printer broke on the day an assignment was due - Mum would fix it. Needed something fixed - Dad has the solution. Got stuck on homework questions - Parents were there to help. The idea of moving hours away without my parents being there to help me freaked me out. I figured a year without the worry and distraction of school would give me an opportunity to get myself prepared. Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming "My First Year as an Adult" post.

Why it was a good thing:

Essentially it all comes down to personal growth, did I find my style? No. Do I know who am? No. Am I comfortable in my own body? No. Did I hit all the check points that you're supposed to hit on a "personal discovery" journey? No. But I am happier, smarter and more confident and mature. It was only the last month or so that I actually realised how far I had come. As I mentioned throughout the year I worked in a customer service/hospitality based industry which required me to deal with a lot of customers. Anyone who has dealt with the public can understand how ABSOLUTELY BONKERS some of them can be. As an individual who suffers from anxiety particularly in social situations, being forced to interact with all sorts of people was extremely beneficial in developing my confidence in handling confrontational situations. This leads me on to my next post - MONEY. Working full time for a year as opposed to traveling meant I was able to save a significant amount. I am grateful to have a savings that I can draw from as university and college living expenses are substantial.

I was one of the only people from my friendship group that stayed in my home town; the rest of my friends ventured off on their own paths so I spent a lot of time by myself. Surprisingly I never felt lonely, I believe I am an introvert and thus don't need social interaction to be happy, so I was quite content not seeing friends every single day. In this way I discovered that I am okay being by myself, I don't always have to try and have someone to text or talk to. This let me become more independent and willing to do things on my own as opposed to always needing someone to hold my hand. Throughout the year I was required to do a few adult things; signing up for medicare, applying for tax and making my own doctors appointments. Although students who go straight to uni will also do all these things, having the support and help from my parents really helped me to be more comfortable doing those small things on my own.

What I'm trying to say here is that this year I have become more independent, hard working and confident in myself and my abilities. Through all of this I have become generally more mature and I think I am far better equipped for next year. I would suggest to any outgoing students who aren't convinced that they are ready to go straight to uni or college, to hang around for a year and just relax.

Regards,

Willow Moon xo

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