The art of redirection…
Do you remember what you loved as a child? Before you started to be told: "Hey, go this way!" , "Go that way!"
Now, let me ask you: what would you do if money wasn’t a factor? The first time a friend asked me this, I kinda knew what he was hinting at but I was like, "What do you mean?" I just couldn’t answer it because I never thought about it that way. Back then, I thought it was almost impossible and too risky to do something you enjoy and make a living out of it. To me, those two ideas felt totally opposite—unless I had rich parents and had already put in the hours, or unless I wanted to end up on the streets pursuing the things I’m passionate about— we’ve all heard that one, right? (but the good news is we don’t have to— I believe we can navigate this journey with a gentle approach that balances creativity and a bit of strategy. It’s about finding a way that feels secure to you. Looking at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, we have to meet our basic necessities—food, water, shelter—before we can focus on self-actualization, which is about becoming the best version of ourselves.
I'm currently in the process of doing this because back in London I came across Naval Ravikant’s podcast, which really inspired me and I also came across people on YouTube practicing geoarbitrage and it felt like the best plan for me after I finish uni, so I gave it a shot. Geoarbitrage is basically taking advantage of cost-of-living differences between places which stretches my money further than they would’ve in Europe and it gives me more time and freedom to figure out my next steps.
I saved some money to travel around Southeast Asia and explore what I’m naturally good at—something I could potentially monetize—and invest more time in my hobbies. Back in London, the higher cost of living meant I had to work more to sustain myself, which left little time for my passions. Because purpose, freedom, and guilt-free laziness are crucial to my wellbeing, I started looking for alternatives.
Right now, I’m searching for content creation work while building my YouTube channel, which I hope will generate some opportunities in the future and I’ve also been brainstorming business ideas for when I go back home.
Ok so first, it's important to recognise that we’re living in a time where we have unprecedented access to information, technology, and global connections that can open doors in ways previous generations never imagined—or, as investor Naval Ravikant described it, an age of infinite leverage—where the future of the internet rewards following your genuine curiosity more than ever before. Our world is changing rapidly, and what worked for our parents in terms of career paths doesn’t necessarily apply today. Technology has made unconventional career paths more accessible, but here's the paradox: it’s never been easier to start something, yet never been harder to stay focused with distractions constantly competing for your attention. Staying open and curious, and building a career based on your true interests and passions, is a stronger path than simply chasing what’s currently profitable.
And here’s the thing: this journey isn’t always straightforward. There will be setbacks. There will be doubts. There will be days when it feels like you’re not moving fast enough or you’re falling behind. And that’s okay. Try to embrace those moments with self-compassion. It’s vital to be kind to yourself, especially when things feel tough and to get in touch with your inner compass that tells you when it’s time to rest, and when it’s time to push through. When pursuing a passion or navigating a career shift, it’s easy to put immense pressure on yourself, but remember—growth takes time. Setbacks are part of the process. Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend going through a rough time. You’re allowed to rest, recalibrate, and move forward at your own pace. Be careful about comparing yourself to someone 100 steps ahead of you as this can be very discouraging and could continue the cycle of self-sabotage. What’s yours is unique to you and your personal experience, and competition or proving yourself to others will only take away your focus. From my personal experience and from the research I conducted for my dissertation on the impact of social media on creativity which I will link in the description, many participants mentioned how the competition , comparison, and the pressure to conform made them feel stuck or less confident in their own creative process. And that’s why I like to step away from time to time to recenter.
When I went ice bathing in Indonesia, I noticed something interesting (by the way, be careful with the ice bathing—there have been cases of people dying from undiagnosed heart problems).
The moment I tried to prove how far I could go, I lost my focus and had to get up immediately because my body started aching pretty badly. However, when I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, I managed to go way further and I think that’s an important lesson. I remember reading this in The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: "The good of another can never block our own." To me that’s proof that what I dream of is possible, and there’s room for everyone to succeed who is willing to put in the effort.
One way to discover those interests is by reflecting on the things you effortlessly enjoy but may not have considered as potential career paths. Take a look at what you’ve always been naturally good at, the character traits you possess that could be leveraged, ask the people closest to you what they think you’re effortlessly good at. You might even consider looking further back into your childhood for clues. You may not get an answer right away, but if you keep questioning it, the memories and cues will slowly begin to come up. It takes a bit of time to open Pandora's box especially after we've buried it so deeply.
I definitely wasn’t interested in philosophy or the mysteries of the universe when I was 10; I just wanted to hang out with my friends and play. But looking back, I realise that sometimes the bigger picture holds the details we’re searching for. When I was younger, I recall wanting to be a singer or an actress. I tried both in my teenage years along with other activities and looking back now, I realise that what I truly want is to find ways to explore myself and creativity in different ways, and see how I can contribute through that.
There are so many ways to explore these through different mediums. My point is that you can find joy in something that doesn’t necessarily align with your childhood dreams of being an astronaut but it can still offer valuable insights. Also, not every child is “gifted” with knowing what they want, and that’s okay—it often takes time and exploration.
You can also find details about yourself through the people you meet. Every person I’ve come across has opened something in me. Some doors nicer than others, but both are needed in order to gain perspective. Think of that teacher who was too close-minded to see potential beyond grades, or someone who just didn’t believe in you. Some may have even tried to change the very things that make you you. That’s your fuel right there–use it to show yourself just how capable you are. Trust me, when you’ll look back, it’ll all click–you might even feel grateful for that fuel they gave you.
Remember, you don’t have to mirror anyone else’s journey to find your own path. Everyone’s path is different, and that’s what makes it so beautiful. But here’s the thing: some paths are steeper, some more winding. Not everyone has the same resources, opportunities, or support. We all face different barriers, even those that seem to have it all together and it’s important to acknowledge that. Each and every one of us has the inherent ability to create, adapt, and find solutions in life that fit our current circumstance, including our career path. Navigating life and career isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Your unique path is just that—yours. And no one can replicate it. There’s room for everyone to carve their own way, no matter the starting point.
Ok so now, I’d like to remind you that you possess a combination of traits that no one else in this world has. No one else shares your exact personality, upbringing, life experiences, tendencies, or inclinations. We might share a few skills or experiences but no one else has the exact same combination as yours. That’s what makes you unique; no matter how much I might try to imitate you, I could never be like you. Isn’t that so amazing? So …What makes you, you? Personally, I’m drawn to people, things, and concepts that are different from what I know—especially those I don’t particularly understand; I find that super intriguing, and I love questioning and connecting things. I’ve discovered that about myself over the years, by trial and error and by asking myself these very questions. This year, I also fell in love with writing ironically enough, by writing the very thing I avoided for 2 years: my dissertation and after reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Maybe you think it’s too late and that you’ve already chosen a profession that’s tough to change—and I totally get that. However, I believe you can always carve out some time each day to do something that brings you joy and moves you closer in that direction, if you wish to go down that road. (I used to think I was late when I was 20 and that I should’ve known by then — what the…..?).
Ok so, for those who wish to make a living out of pursuing something they feel passionate about, we need to get a bit creative about how we implement our passions, skills and our knowledge into something that people actually need. While many view pursuing their creativity as a financial risk, it can actually fulfil a variety of needs. This ability to articulate your experience or emotions through writing, music, film, or other art forms is truly a gift, and it can be profoundly transformative for others if it comes from a genuine source.
So what do you think people need, and how can your unique skills or abilities serve that need, while staying true to what you love? You can either keep your day job and treat your passion as a hobby or work on it on the side until you start seeing results—whatever feels secure and right for you, even if it looks different from others.
I recommend checking out The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, or listening to his podcasts, including the one with Joe Rogan (I will list the links in the description). Naval is an entrepreneur and investor and his perspective can really help you think outside the box we've been conditioned into and find innovative ways to turn your passions into a fulfilling career.
When we were kids, my best friend Teodora and I LOVED watching mind-blowing movies. Seriously, nothing got us more excited than a sleepover with a list of psychological thrillers to dive into. I can totally see why we were obsessed. We loved creative plots that left us thinking: “how can one come up with such a cool idea”, we loved having our minds stretched, googling the meaning of every twisted plot, concepts we didn’t understand, psychological facts and experiments. The wilder, the better. I still enjoy that stuff, and have found different ways to stretch my mind now.
For a while, I chased society’s idea of success and lost myself a bit. As I approached the time to choose a degree and direction in life, I felt immense pressure to make the right choice. In the process, I lost touch with my inner compass because there was just too much conflicting noise about which way I should go. Throughout the years, my best friend and I kept hinting at each other with all sorts of creative presents. Eventually, I drifted quite far from that, I became more serious, logical and strategic in how I approached life. But in retrospect,I think that switch was necessary—it gave me perspective and allowed me to integrate these other aspects of who I am.
I love meeting new people (though I can be very quiet and I need a lot of space to think independently), I love travelling, a different perspective, exploring and learning new things, and exchange ideas— Lately, I’ve been in a less social phase because I’m focusing on some personal projects and I need the mental space to do it. Growing up, I was pretty rebellious, very unhinged, and talked back a lot, but now I’m a bit more domesticated, which I honestly love—I’m finding gentler ways to communicate and express my thoughts and I wouldn’t want to be the same person I was 5-10 years ago. The goal, I think, is to be open to change, to learn from our mistakes, and to keep growing, all while holding onto a bit of that childlike curiosity.
Also, personality tests? SO underrated. I recommend the Myers Briggs 16 Personalities. (I will link them in the description) Sure, some people say you can’t classify the human race into 16 categories, and I too agree with that but I think it offers some useful insights and a good starting point for understanding yourself a bit better — I’m an ENFP—The Campaigner, and honestly, it explains a lot (I used to be the ENTP— The Debater though— so it can change throughout the years, although I’m definitely still a bit of a debater😅😅😅) .
