Leap of Faith

[Nearlythere1]

 

I put my resignation in a few days ago, with my current employer. Not for any other reason, than for the fact we will be Emigrating to Australia, in a few weeks. Whilst writing the letter, I had a feeling of loss that I had not anticipated. I’ve been constantly employed for over a generation now, and had a distinct feeling of panic, due to not having another job to go to, for the first time, mixed with a strange, liberated, excited feeling. I love my job, and though I have moved overseas previously, it was always within my particular role and part of a structured, paid move.

I spent a few days worrying about whether I was making a foolish error, especially in current times of austerity etc, will I get another job, will I be able to provide for my family? All the usual things that people feel, when they find themselves unemployed for some reason, and here I am, voluntarily making myself unemployed. It then occurred to me, that we were following our dream, and that sometimes you need to take risks to get to the final outcome that you want, or need. Nothing is ever guaranteed, especially as the world is hopefully, coming through a difficult period of financial uncertainty.

So, today I decided to share it with you. To see if anyone else has had similar feelings when making huge, life changing decisions, or leaps of faith. :chatterbox:

[MARYROSE02]

I quit my job from Australia, having taken six weeks leave, though I had a one year WHV. Come to think of it, I quit BOTH my major UK jobs from Australia, as I went back to England for twelve years, getting a job with Royal Mail, then taking unpaid leave to come to OZ for a second time.

 

You know when a ship leaves port, and they have all those streamers, gradually slipping away, until they all break? That's the feeling of leaving! (Maybe to the sound of the Maori Leaving song - not sure what that is called?)

[Gbye grey sky]

I quit my safe civil service job after 30 years, 6 years ago, with no job to go to at the time. But at that time I was hating it so it wasn't that difficult really. Had a couple of bad jobs (the recession had just started) but have thrived in a new job in the private sector the past 5 years. Resigning from the job next year to emigrate may well be the toughest part of the whole move though after working hard for 38 years sometimes i feel burned out so need a break. I know that it will be difficult to find work in Oz at the age of 55 but we have built up a sizeable savings buffer to live on until we can draw our pensions so will manage even if no work is available.

 

We just have itchy feet, feel in a rut, and always wanted to live somewhere a lot hotter than the UK. But as for handing in my notice next year I know exactly what you are saying as I will feel the same.

[Guest]

I had a job to go to in Australia but leaving to come back was like that. We had a 'good' life in Australia and even my parents who were delighted at us moving back were worried but after taking 6 weeks to enjoy the summer with my son I started looking for work and had a job by the end of September.

 

I never used to feel like this but after everything we went through whilst we were in Australia I am very much of the 'everything happens for a reason' mindset. If you follow your heart then it is never a wrong decision - you may not get the outcome you hoped for but you'll never regret what you did. If fear holds you back then you may regret what you didn't do.

 

I must admit I found it very liberating to move to Australia and have no mortgage, no debt and just a container of 'stuff' - maybe if we'd kept it that simple we'd have been okay!

[MARYROSE02]

I quit my safe civil service job after 30 years, 6 years ago, with no job to go to at the time. But at that time I was hating it so it wasn't that difficult really. Had a couple of bad jobs (the recession had just started) but have thrived in a new job in the private sector the past 5 years. Resigning from the job next year to emigrate may well be the toughest part of the whole move though after working hard for 38 years sometimes i feel burned out so need a break. I know that it will be difficult to find work in Oz at the age of 55 but we have built up a sizeable savings buffer to live on until we can draw our pensions so will manage even if no work is available.

 

We just have itchy feet, feel in a rut, and always wanted to live somewhere a lot hotter than the UK. But as for handing in my notice next year I know exactly what you are saying as I will feel the same.

 

I know it is split milk, but what could be worse than quitting that safe CS job, only to find out that redundancies were about to be offered!?

 

I did work for the Commonwealth Public Service from 1981 to 1996 when I was made redundant, and I used the opportunity to go back to the UK for a holiday that lasted twelve years and a new job with Royal Mail which I would never have considered doing.

[CommanderMaxil]

I think your feelings are entirely natural. I took VR from a great civil service career job in 2012 to pursue my Australian dream. It then took me 7 months to find a temp job in London to earn a living whilst I applied for my visa. Having found a brilliant contract job (also in the civil service) i then had to give it up last Christmas in order to make the move when my visa finally came through. So upon arrival in Australia I had essentially quit two really great jobs only to find that I couldn’t get any work. Took me 4 months to get something suitable here in Australia and I have had to move all the way across the country to do it. Those 4 months were some of the most difficult of my life, feeling like i had given up everything to emigrate only to find that nobody in my new country wanted to hire me, second-guessing my every decision that had led me to that point. Two long periods of unemployment in 3 years after working solidly in a meaningful career for many years was also tough to take. However now I am working in a great job in my chosen field and things seem great, although the last few years have been very difficult I have achieved my objective and have started to remember why i did this and that uncertainty was part of the excitement I was seeking by leaving the civil service.

 

I think it’s inevitable there will be some dark days when you wonder why the hell you are putting yourself through it. As I got closer and closer to my move it became more and more real. For me there were so many moments in my last couple of months in the UK where I would stop and think "this is the last time I will do x, at least for several years" In particular for me was when I went and visited my grandfather, he is very old and quite ill and I had the sense that we both knew it was unlikely we would ever be in the same room together again (though of course we could not articulate it out loud). Had I not been so far down the road of leaving the UK I would have considered giving it up on the spot at this point.

 

In the end though I believe that it’s a worthwhile leap of faith for most people, after all if you don't go you'll never know. Life is short and you have to pursue your dreams. But at the same time I think it’s about accepting that there are things you have to give up in order to get the things you hope to gain, and of course its impossible to know whether the things you gain were worth the pain unless and until you do it.

[Nearlythere1]

Hi All, Thanks for all the comments; Maryrose2, Gbye grey sky, Lady Rainicorn and CommanderMaxil.. I feel similarities with all your stories really.. Maryrose2 and Gbye grey sky, I have a good Civil Service job, good pension (at the moment) etc, I missed the VERS (voluntary early release scheme) that was offered a couple of years ago, with hindsight I would've jumped at it. We'd looked at going to Aus around ten years ago, but it wasn't on the cards for a number of reasons back then. I only started looking into it again last August, after going to our friends wedding on Magnetic island (Townsville).

 

I think that when we thought we couldn't go, it wasn't a problem, as it wasn't really our decision (SOL and childrens' ages etc). We couldn't regret something that wasn't in our control. As soon as I found out that we could go, it changed everything. Then we really had to go. As you said Lady Rainicorn, I think we definitely would have regretted it further down the road, when it was too late to go. You can't really regret something you've done, rather, the regret is more likely for something you could've done but didn't. Am certainly looking forward to not having a mortgage or any debt for a while. How long that will las t, I don't know, but feeling liberated already..

 

I think most of fears come from anticipation of your situation CommanderMaxil, I wonder how I will fair in the Australian jobs market, especially as I can't do my current government job for around five years (need to be a citizen). It's been a while since I've had to put myself out there in the commercial world. Don't know how that's going to go really.. I think that we're luckier than some, as we have family and friends already in Australia, who are already very supportive and excited about our impending migration. So, I don't really feel pressure of failure quite as much as I would without them there for support.

Well, four weeks to go now.. Furniture left on Monday... It doesn't get more real than this.. :wink:

[Paul1Perth]

I've had lots of jobs and even changed career totally, from fitter at the NCB to IT. Every job I've left I've had a strange feeling of loss and upheaval, at the same time excitement about what's coming next, what the opportunities will be.

 

I think it gets a bit easier the more jobs you have, at least you realise, after a long time at work that no-one is irreplaceable. The number of times I've seen someone leave a company and workmates say "how are we going to cope with XXX gone?" A couple of weeks later someone has stepped up, taken on the work and you don't notice they've gone.

[Paul1Perth]

Hi All, Thanks for all the comments; Maryrose2, Gbye grey sky, Lady Rainicorn and CommanderMaxil.. I feel similarities with all your stories really.. Maryrose2 and Gbye grey sky, I have a good Civil Service job, good pension (at the moment) etc, I missed the VERS (voluntary early release scheme) that was offered a couple of years ago, with hindsight I would've jumped at it. We'd looked at going to Aus around ten years ago, but it wasn't on the cards for a number of reasons back then. I only started looking into it again last August, after going to our friends wedding on Magnetic island (Townsville).

 

I think that when we thought we couldn't go, it wasn't a problem, as it wasn't really our decision (SOL and childrens' ages etc). We couldn't regret something that wasn't in our control. As soon as I found out that we could go, it changed everything. Then we really had to go. As you said Lady Rainicorn, I think we definitely would have regretted it further down the road, when it was too late to go. You can't really regret something you've done, rather, the regret is more likely for something you could've done but didn't. Am certainly looking forward to not having a mortgage or any debt for a while. How long that will las t, I don't know, but feeling liberated already..

 

I think most of fears come from anticipation of your situation CommanderMaxil, I wonder how I will fair in the Australian jobs market, especially as I can't do my current government job for around five years (need to be a citizen). It's been a while since I've had to put myself out there in the commercial world. Don't know how that's going to go really.. I think that we're luckier than some, as we have family and friends already in Australia, who are already very supportive and excited about our impending migration. So, I don't really feel pressure of failure quite as much as I would without them there for support.

Well, four weeks to go now.. Furniture left on Monday... It doesn't get more real than this.. :wink:

 

Are you going to Townsville?

[Nearlythere1]

Are you going to Townsville?

 

Hi Paul1Perth,

Yeah, we've got friends in Townsville and have been there a few times. I'll start there and see how I get on for few weeks on the Job front.. If I don't get anything suitable after that, i'll head to Brisbane, Where my brother-in-law lives and start again there.. :wink:

[Paul1Perth]

I like Townsville. Been lot of times on work trips. 8 of us had 8 weeks staying at the casino way back in 2000. They had just started rebuilding The Strand after a cyclone had ripped it up a few years before. They've made a great job of it and really revitalised Townsville. It used to be a place the backpackers would give a miss, now there's heaps of them and they enjoy it a lot.

 

I had a day over on Maggie Island when I stayed over on my own one long weekend. It was too far to come back to Perth for the weekend. Had one of the best days, hired a motorbike and had a really good look around Maggie Island. Didn't realise how big it was and what nice beaches they have. Got back to the main townsite, where the ferry goes from about 5:00, to hand the motorbike back. Thought I'd have a couple of beers in the pub, couple of guys get guitars out, then a band came on. Sat there and had a great evening with a couple of German backpackers. Ended up catching the last ferry back to the mainland about 11:00 pm.:laugh:

 

The brewery is a nice place to go for a drink and they do some of the nicest ribs. Big helpings though, you might not need a starter. It used to be an old post office when we first went to Townsville and stood empty for years. Great use of a nice old building.

 

Some of the nicest food I've had in AUs I've had in Townsville. There are some of the nicest restaurants. Table 51, Michele's, a touch of salt and the Masala Indian all good and in walking distance of each other. Touch of Salt is pretty expensive but probably the best food. Doesn't much matter when work are paying.:wink:

[Nearlythere1]

I like Townsville. Been lot of times on work trips. 8 of us had 8 weeks staying at the casino way back in 2000. They had just started rebuilding The Strand after a cyclone had ripped it up a few years before. They've made a great job of it and really revitalised Townsville. It used to be a place the backpackers would give a miss, now there's heaps of them and they enjoy it a lot.

 

I had a day over on Maggie Island when I stayed over on my own one long weekend. It was too far to come back to Perth for the weekend. Had one of the best days, hired a motorbike and had a really good look around Maggie Island. Didn't realise how big it was and what nice beaches they have. Got back to the main townsite, where the ferry goes from about 5:00, to hand the motorbike back. Thought I'd have a couple of beers in the pub, couple of guys get guitars out, then a band came on. Sat there and had a great evening with a couple of German backpackers. Ended up catching the last ferry back to the mainland about 11:00 pm.:laugh:

 

The brewery is a nice place to go for a drink and they do some of the nicest ribs. Big helpings though, you might not need a starter. It used to be an old post office when we first went to Townsville and stood empty for years. Great use of a nice old building.

 

Some of the nicest food I've had in AUs I've had in Townsville. There are some of the nicest restaurants. Table 51, Michele's, a touch of salt and the Masala Indian all good and in walking distance of each other. Touch of Salt is pretty expensive but probably the best food. Doesn't much matter when work are paying.:wink:

 

Hi Paul1Perth,

 

We spent 3-4 days on Maggie last aug, lovely island. My friend has a boat so, looking forward to popping over for there for a pint whilst fishing.. Haven't really been to any of the restaurants but good to hear they're a good standard. Mostly we've had garden parties etc. We've built up quite a circle of friends there really, considering we haven't moved there yet.. I went out in January for 3 weeks to go to the "Goldfield Ashes" in Charters Towers (about 1 1/2 west of Townsville). Played cricket for my mates team over the Australia day" weekend. Didn't want to go home after that.. Thanks for the comments, getting really excited again now.. Just hope there's some work for me when I get there.. :wink:

[CommanderMaxil]

Without knowing what work you do in the UK Govt, I would say that the 5 year thing is not as bad as it seems. The citizenship restriction only applies to the Federal Government, you are free to work at a state level and luckily, unlike the UK, most of the Government services are delivered at a state level. The QLD govt have a great jobs website with all the govt jobs on it and it is well worth registering. I struggled to find work in Canberra but am now happily ensconced working for the Northern Territory Govt doing something very similar to what I did back home.

[foolboy]

Just quit only my second job in 27 odd years. Worked for National Bank for 14 years and Australia Post for 13. illness put an end to my post job but i see it as a fresh start. It's taken me six months to take my leap of faith but i see it as my first step on my journey to get back home.

[Nearlythere1]

Without knowing what work you do in the UK Govt, I would say that the 5 year thing is not as bad as it seems. The citizenship restriction only applies to the Federal Government, you are free to work at a state level and luckily, unlike the UK, most of the Government services are delivered at a state level. The QLD govt have a great jobs website with all the govt jobs on it and it is well worth registering. I struggled to find work in Canberra but am now happily ensconced working for the Northern Territory Govt doing something very similar to what I did back home.

 

Hi CommanderMaxil,

That's handy to know, for future job searches. My particular role requires a high level of security clearance, it's that element that I can't gain until I become a citizen. I'm told that there is a citizenship waiver that can be used by employing departments, but that appears to be too far up the trough for the likes of me.. Thanks for the feedback..:wink:

[Nearlythere1]

Just quit only my second job in 27 odd years. Worked for National Bank for 14 years and Australia Post for 13. illness put an end to my post job but i see it as a fresh start. It's taken me six months to take my leap of faith but i see it as my first step on my journey to get back home.

 

It appears that it doesn't matter which direction you're heading in, the feelings are similar.. Good luck with your journey home.. :wink:

[dmjg]

I quit my first teaching job in the south of the uk to head back up north where the oh's parents lived.

 

I knew we were heading up there at the end of the school year which corresponded with her finishing university. Thus I resigned for the end of August in early feb. This meant the school could interview and have its pick of teachers before all the best ones were snapped up. I was informed in early march that someone had been hired for my job the next September. It felt very strange to know that in 5 months I would be un-employed with nothing to go to. I felt in limbo.

 

I got a school a few months later.

 

Fast forward 4 years and I put myself in exactly the same situation, except this time I was heading to Australia without the job.

 

I managed to line up a maternity leave cover over the phone (luckily) so only had one month without a pay cheque coming in.

 

Maths/Science Teaching may not be well paid, but the opportunities to find and keep a job are pretty good.

[Nearlythere1]

I quit my first teaching job in the south of the uk to head back up north where the oh's parents lived.

 

I knew we were heading up there at the end of the school year which corresponded with her finishing university. Thus I resigned for the end of August in early feb. This meant the school could interview and have its pick of teachers before all the best ones were snapped up. I was informed in early march that someone had been hired for my job the next September. It felt very strange to know that in 5 months I would be un-employed with nothing to go to. I felt in limbo.

 

I got a school a few months later.

 

Fast forward 4 years and I put myself in exactly the same situation, except this time I was heading to Australia without the job.

 

I managed to line up a maternity leave cover over the phone (luckily) so only had one month without a pay cheque coming in.

 

Maths/Science Teaching may not be well paid, but the opportunities to find and keep a job are pretty good.

 

That Limbo state is definitely a strange time, am right in the middle of that now.. I gave 3 months notice for mine, but the wheels of government don't turn very quickly at the best of times, so unsurprisingly, there will be no-one in place to take over my role at the end of this month.. I can't do the maternity thing, being a man, but saved up my annual leave so that my 1st month in Aus will be on annual leave, and I'll get paid at the end of it.. Will hopefully be able to get something in that first month then will have no gaps in employment. Don't suppose it really matters, but I do like the fact that I've been employed constantly for such a long time.. :wink: