Embracing Reflection: A Pause on the Journey

The Journey That Led Me Here.

As I sit here and write my first blog about myself, I'm thinking about the path that led me here. Life is an amazing journey, full of surprises and changes. We often get caught up in the busy and fast-paced nature of life, always chasing after the next important thing and rarely stopping to think about our experiences. But what if we took a moment to pause and think about our journey? What if we gave ourselves the chance to truly value our achievements and learn from our past?

Looking back, I really wish I had known what it was like to live with true awareness and the power of reflection earlier. It would have been great if someone had told me about it or encouraged me to or slowed me down to reflect. Nevertheless, I am grateful that I have discovered the importance of reflection now. I am aware of the differences it can make in our lives, and I feel compelled to share this wisdom with others, especially the younger generation.

My story is one of determination, resilience, and adaptability. From a young age, I have always been active, driven by a can-do attitude. I relish challenges and approach change with a positive mindset. Born in Sri Lanka and raised in the Netherlands. From the age of 4, I found myself in contrasting worlds, constantly adapting and learning from the differences around me. This allowed me to foster an appreciation for different perspectives.

At a pivotal point in my life, I moved to London to pursue my studies. I met my soulmate at university and got married when I was 21. Soon after, at the age of 22, I became a mother. My husband and I have three beautiful children, and we have always believed in doing as much as possible by ourselves. We carried this belief that one should take responsibility and learn while not burdening others and taking things for granted. While this mindset served us well, it also meant that we didn't have many avenues to ask for help. Consequently, since we handled everything on our own, we barely had any time for ourselves.

Simultaneously, we placed a high value on knowledge and education, ensuring that our children had the best environment for their growth. This meant driving them a bit further from home to schools that provided excellent education. It added extra pressure on us, but seeing our children growing up happily made it all worthwhile. We also made sure not to forget about our own education. Despite marrying young, we worked hard to continue learning, earning degrees and taking professional courses. A few years ago, I even completed my MBA because I was curious and wanted to learn more.

Throughout my journey, I encountered various hurdles, and my ability to solve problems allowed me to navigate through them. Yet, there has always been another side of me that few knew about—the calmer inner self, a serene and contemplative soul that existed amidst the chaos. After two decades of relentless dedication, it was not until last year when I reached a transformative crossroads, that I chose to step away from a lucrative career, pausing to reflect on the deeper essence of my journey and who I am.

In that introspective pause, I realised that my more tranquil inner self held the key to all my other accomplishments. It was the source of my resilience, creativity, and ability to overcome challenges. I realised that this calmer inner self was my guiding force behind my determination.

From Running to Reflecting: Redefining Success and Happiness

Every intersection in my life, I had made choices with my head, taking calculated risks. This time, it was crucial to listen to my heart and trust its guidance. Despite the financial setback, I mustered the courage to resign from my job and took time off to travel to India, bringing my family along. We combined holidaying with moments of meditation and self-reflection. After years of running, I slowly began to realise that reflection and taking time for oneself requires time as well.

A year later, I started using the concept of Ikigai, a Japanese term meaning "reason for being." I created a website to document my reflections and stories, allowing me to visually see my journey. This blog is a product of my pause, a platform to share my experiences and offer support to those who may need it. If my words can bring solace to anyone or help them feel less alone, it would bring me immense joy.

The Beauty of Slowing Down

It is essential to remember that life consists of both good and challenging days. How we perceive and handle these days is what truly matters. The way we choose to experience the challenging days is where the magic lies. It is never too late to take time out for yourself and prioritise self-care. With my children now older, I have more time to focus on myself and spend quality moments with them. Recently, I went on a shopping trip with my youngest daughter. As we sat down for lunch together, I expressed how truly zen I felt and how much I enjoyed our time together. With a warm smile she responded, "I noticed you weren't walking that fast today." That simple statement made my day, reminding me of the progress I have made in slowing down and being fully present in the moment.

Embracing reflection and taking a pause on the journey has allowed me to gain clarity, appreciate the beauty of life, and nurture my relationships. It has enabled me to become more aware, not only of my own needs but also of the needs of those around me. By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others to embark on their own journeys of self-reflection and discover the transformative power it holds. Remember, it's never too late to pause, reflect, and make choices that align with your heart's desires.

Wishing you, Joy, Growth and fulfilment - Suga