Moving forward. That’s a phrase I use often in consulting. When things don’t go as plan, we ‘move forward’ taking the lessons we’ve learnt and not repeating the mistakes again. Just like how Labor had used this extensively prior to the election. Or I say ‘moving forward’ to present a series of next steps that are form the program recommendations for a strategy or plan.

Moving forward isn’t a bad thing but it comes with a bit of teeth gnashing, tears and an overwhelming feeling of loss and uncertainty. Like I felt in my last week in Sydney boxing up my life, emptying my apartment, wrapping up work and saying goodbye to friends and colleagues. In that timeframe, I’ve dealt with lots of memories and asked myself many honest questions.

I’d like to sum this up in a post which I can look back at one day and reflect. Its my last day in Sydney so it has all crystallised in my head what my 7.5 years here has given me:

1. I’ve learnt that relocating isn’t hard and you just need to have balls to deal with change. And try not to accumulate too much stuff in life. Packing is a bitch.

2. Taking a sabbatical year off to live on my credit card and part-time work to do a postgraduate program. I have a deep awareness for environmental and climate change issues that I have applied on many client programs. And in that process, I’ve learnt to slow down and breathe.

3. An exceptional career opportunity working with many brilliant people and having developed an intimate knowledge of the ANZ landscape. I can plan, reach out to influencers from the little black book in my head and speak [convincing] enough strine when I pitch to decision makers.

4. I have deliberately kept few and close friendships with people who are my extended family. I have left behind a team at work whom I care about immensely and they are my work family.

5. I’ve survived Crossfit so one-to-one personal training will be quite whimpy to me now.

6. I have embraced the Australian psyche and its definitely chipped into my way of life. I’ve laughed much harder, shrugged my shoulders when needed and learnt to say ‘its alright’.

If you are still reading this blog, the geographical references will change tomorrow. But the writer hasn’t. I’m still one of you Sydneysiders wherever I’ll be. Thank you for being part of my life and journey.