I CHASED My Dreams for 365 days in Australia. it wasn't what i expected

Summary

In this heartfelt reflection, a journey to Sydney, Australia, is shared, recounting the excitement of chasing a dream to open a café. Despite overcoming numerous obstacles, including endless red tape and business struggles, the opportunity ultimately fell short. The experience brings valuable lessons about belonging and purpose. The narrator expresses gratitude for the cultural immersion, the connections made, and the memories forged. Ultimately, they realize that while Sydney was a dream, it wasn't the place to fulfill their purpose, and they are returning to America, forever blending their American and Australian experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on a year-long journey in Sydney, Australia, filled with challenges, opportunities, and personal growth.
• 😀 The initial excitement of moving to Australia was paired with a dream to open a coffee shop without the financial investment burden.
• 😀 Despite the enthusiasm, the business faced constant obstacles, primarily due to red tape and legal complications, preventing its successful launch.
• 😀 Building connections with people in the coffee community, especially with the roaster Reuben Hills, became one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.
• 😀 The decision to leave Australia was ultimately about realizing that Sydney was not the place where the speaker felt aligned with their true purpose.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of 'belonging'—finding the place where one can fulfill their purpose and truly thrive.
• 😀 There was a realization that living so far from family made it harder to feel fulfilled in the long term, contributing to the decision to move back to America.
• 😀 While the business endeavor didn't succeed, the speaker expresses gratitude for the learning experiences, friendships, and cultural understanding gained in Australia.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how Australia changed their perspective on life and deepened their relationship with Grace and her family.
• 😀 Despite leaving, the speaker expresses an enduring affection for Australia and its people, highlighting how this experience will always be a part of their identity.
• 😀 The speaker expresses hope and openness to returning to Australia someday, even though this chapter of their life is closing.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial motivation for moving to Australia?

The speaker and their wife, Grace, moved to Australia to pursue a dream of opening a café and starting a new chapter in their lives. The opportunity felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and they were excited to experience a new culture and build something from scratch.

What was the biggest challenge the speaker faced while trying to open the café?

The biggest challenge the speaker and Grace faced was the overwhelming red tape and bureaucratic hurdles in getting the café legally open. Despite their efforts, they encountered endless delays and obstacles, which ultimately led to the business's failure.

How did the speaker feel about the experience of being in Australia, despite the business failure?

Despite the business not succeeding, the speaker felt grateful for the experience. They learned a great deal, met many great people, and were able to immerse themselves in Australian culture. The year in Australia was still seen as valuable, even though their initial plans didn’t materialize.

What role did the concept of 'belonging' play in the speaker’s decision to leave Australia?

The idea of 'belonging' became central to the speaker's reflection on their time in Australia. They realized that while Sydney and Australia were amazing, it wasn’t the place where they felt most connected to their purpose. They were searching for a place where they could fulfill their life’s purpose, and Sydney didn’t feel like that place.

What was the significance of the café space in the speaker’s journey?

The café space represented the dream and hard work of the speaker and Grace. It was the physical manifestation of their plans, but it ultimately became a symbol of their struggle. The speaker’s sadness about the space reflects the emotional and personal investment they made in the business, even though it didn’t succeed.

Why did the speaker choose Reuben Hills as their coffee roaster?

The speaker and Grace chose Reuben Hills as their coffee roaster because of the strong connection they formed with the team there. Reuben Hills provided them with high-quality coffee, training, and support throughout the year, which was crucial as they worked to understand the coffee business in Sydney.

What did the speaker learn from the process of opening the café, despite its failure?

The speaker learned about the complexities of starting a business, the importance of perseverance, and the realities of dealing with legal and regulatory challenges. They also learned a lot about coffee culture and the local market in Sydney. Ultimately, the experience taught them about resilience and adaptability.

What was the speaker's perspective on the concept of 'home' after their time in Australia?

The speaker realized that home isn't necessarily tied to a specific location but is instead about finding a place where you can fulfill your purpose. While they appreciated their time in Australia, they recognized that their true sense of belonging and purpose might be elsewhere, possibly back in America.

What did the speaker appreciate most about their time in Australia?

The speaker appreciated the opportunity to experience Australian culture firsthand. They gained an understanding of local traditions, food, and sports, and developed a deeper connection with Grace's family. The personal growth and relationships formed during this time were invaluable to them.

How does the speaker feel about their relationship with Australia moving forward?

The speaker feels a deep sense of gratitude and connection to Australia, even though they are leaving. They intend to continue blending their American and Australian identities in the future, carrying the lessons and experiences from Australia with them. The speaker acknowledges that while they are leaving, their relationship with Australia will remain a significant part of their lives.