It’s been nearly 3 years since my last post, and a lot has happened since then. I’ve left the states and moved to South Korea to continue my career as an English teacher. I’ve learned and grown so much as a person in the time I’ve been here, and I could probably write a book about all the ups and downs I’ve experienced in Korea so far.

I initially came to South Korea with the intention of settling down here. I studied linguistics and TEFL during my undergrad years. I even worked myself up to an intermediate level of Korean before leaving. Living here and teaching English has been a goal of mine since I was a young teen, and I’m really proud to have accomplished this goal. Leaving my home country to work all the way on the other side of the world has been life-changing. I’ve learned how to be independent and trust myself, how to work in a professional environment, how to branch out to build friendship and community outside of my family, and so many more invaluable life lessons. However, as time has continued on, I’ve realized that this isn’t the right place for me to settle. As much as I enjoy living here, I don’t believe that I am compatible enough with Korean culture to stay here long term, nor do I feel passionate enough about language teaching as I thought I would.

Honestly, a part of me feels a bit embarrassed that things have turned out this way. I was adamant about coming here from a young age, and I persistently made life decisions that helped me reach this point. I was so certain that this was the direction I wanted to take my life. I even joined a group for foreign women who are “lifers” in Korea, intending to further study Korean, eventually rack up enough points for permanent residency, save up money to open an English academy, and if I were lucky, meet a guy to marry, buy a home, and start a family with. I thought these were not only more realistic and practical life goals, but it was also what I said I was going to do for years. I’ve managed to sustain myself here for over 2.5 years, but I haven’t been able to shake this subtle, niggling feeling of cognitive dissonance buried within me.

Though I’ve left this blog neglected for so long, the burning desire to share myself and walk on the path of yoga has never fizzled out. Yoga, spirituality, personal development, wellness, and creativity are always at the back of my mind. Though I’m thankful for how far Korea has gotten me, I’ve realized that coming here has been somewhat of an avoidance of my true calling. I love being a teacher, but not necessarily of English. Yoga has been so healing for me, and I want to learn it much more deeply. I also want to help others whether that be through teaching yoga, through writing, or through sharing my journey on social media. My ultimate goal is to open a yoga studio and wellness center. The road ahead of me is long, but I’ve finally made the decision to pivot in the right direction.

I will be staying in Korea and working as an English teacher for one more year, but I’ve made it my mission to develop myself both personally and professionally as much as possible. The goal is to get my foot in the door for a career in content marketing when it’s time for me to leave. I will be focusing heavily on studying marketing and yoga philosophy, developing my writing and yoga skills, expanding my portfolio, creating content, and networking. By this time next year, I will also be attending a yoga teacher training in India. My yoga studio will take some time for me to establish, but in the meantime, shifting from a career in education to a career in business and gaining experience with marketing and teaching yoga will set me up for that future. It may seem like a pipe dream, but I wholeheartedly believe that I am capable of achieving this goal.

Though I’m shifting gears, I still wouldn’t consider my time in Korea to be a waste. Yes, it is a bit frustrating that I could’ve made a lot more progress on this endeavor years ago when I initially started. Maybe I would be much farther along than I am now. But, I don’t have a crystal ball, so who knows what would’ve happened? The past is gone, and dwelling on it isn’t going to change my present situation. I am here now, and I have the power to not only embrace this stage, but choose where I want to move forward. In addition, my time in Korea has helped me grow into a person who is now much more adaptable, disciplined, and mentally equipped to handle these lofty aspirations of mine. I’m still a yogi-in-progress, but if I hadn’t come to South Korea, I wouldn’t have learned all of the things that made me the stronger and more well-rounded person I am today. Neither would I have met the people I’ve met, nor would I have even believed it possible to take these steps.

The same may be true for you if you’re in a similar position as I am. Maybe you decided to take the safe route due to fear, judgment, or simply not believing in yourself. Maybe you’ve spent months or years hiding yourself and avoiding your passions, doing what you “ought” to do rather than what lights you up. Maybe you feel regret or disappointment because of that. Nonetheless, if you are still breathing and still hear your calling, it’s not too late. And the time you’ve spent on your current trajectory is not in vain. Your past and current experiences are also teaching you and helping you grow. You can carry those lessons with you, and they will inform you about how to approach every future move.

Don’t worry! It’s okay to start fresh on your journey. Actually, I wouldn’t even call it starting over. You haven’t drifted away from your life’s purpose. You’ve only taken a pit stop. Once you’re refreshed and gotten all you need at this checkpoint, continue on ahead.

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Thank you for reading.

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With gratitude,

Adrianna Brie