Hi Everyone,
This week's blog is the first time I've sat down with my thoughts for some time now. Decision-making has been at the top of my thoughts for the last few weeks. We cruised in the most beautiful and peaceful place this summer with a yacht, Norway.
We started our summer cruising in Copenhagen, Denmark, then made a short hop over to Gothenburg Sweden, and onwards into our Norwegian cruising itinerary which the extremely professional and knowledgeable team at BWA Scandinavia where excellent at assisting us in creating a summer full of extraordinary moments. This was a beautiful backdrop to evaluate what my next career choice would be. The power of embracing career change is daunting but also extremely exciting.
I've been in the process of making these huge choices for my future over the last months and weeks, this meant I had a lot less time to write. We all make decisions differently, I tend to get stressed and hit the chocolate box... I know some of you do too. In every job, we hit a point where we must decide whether we continue to do the same day in/day out... or opt for a challenge.
Embracing Career change
I've never been one to shy away from change but I have always approached it with caution. It can be hard when we work onboard for a prolonged period, we become loyal to the boat, the crew and the owners. When we come to think about our future we can feel that we can't or shouldn't consider working somewhere else as it would be letting the people we currently live and work down. I certainly felt this way. Then I began to think...
What are my priorities...
I started to write in my journal, these are the top five things that first came to my mind.
Being at Sea
Spending time with loved ones.
Expanding my knowledge by further education
Personal Growth and Wellness
Achieving professional goals.
As I thought of all five, I realised that I was only hitting three of the five regularly within my current position. You my readers will think " Melissa you can't do everything all at once". I agree. So I've chosen to spend less time at sea and more time in the classroom as of early next year to finish my officer of the watch (3000gts). This will come with its challenges which I'm excited and ready to take on. Moreover, more time in the classroom will allow me to create a better wellness routine which can be so hard to do onboard when the schedule is constantly changing.
Deciding to leave a boat is one of the hardest decisions I've made in my career at sea so far. What makes it a lot easier, is the immense support and encouragement to go and study from my crew members onboard. Of course, it is a bittersweet moment when a crew member decides to leave but it's nearly always for a good reason and will be positive for their future. My Time onboard Sy Path has been nothing short of fantastic, it brought me friends for life, experiences I'll share with my loved ones for years to come, thousands of nautical miles and a whole bunch of beautiful days sailing. Furthermore, the team onboard taught and educated me in both my professional and personal life and there's not much else a Bosun can ask for from a Yacht. With a whole host of memories and learning experiences, I will continue to share them with you over the next couple of months before I leave Sy Path at the end of November.
It's been a truly wonderful adventure with absolutely fabulous people, from the crew onboard to the people who make path adventures happen in the background. I couldn't be more grateful.
The next few blogs will be focused on the adventures of my time onboard Path, if you want to follow them as they prepare to go around the world, then check out @sypath on Instagram.
As always keep Smiling, Laughing and loving the Sea xo
Links:
@BWA on Instagram and check out their website www.bwayachting.com
Sy Path on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sy.path?igsh=MXd0M3M3bHliMnV0ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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