An adult gap year is a chance to step away from your day-to-day life and embrace everything you wished you'd done before university or entering the workforce—except now, you have the benefit of experience, wisdom, and (hopefully) some savings on your side.
Hi, I’m Fai. If this is your first time reading a Words and Contemplations blog, welcome! This space is my outlet for reflection, creativity, and connection. Today, I want to share the story of how I found myself planning an adult gap year—a dream 20 years in the making.
How It All Began
For years, I worked in a full-time corporate job where creativity was reduced to spreadsheets and quarterly goals. While I’ve always been a writer, for a long time, my creativity sat quietly in the background, waiting for me to make space for it. Eventually, I started this blog as a side project, a small window of freedom where I could explore the things that sparked joy.
But life has a way of shaking things up. A health scare put my writing on hold for a year, forcing me to step back and reevaluate my priorities. I dove headfirst into distraction—taking a promotion, starting a photography business—but something still felt off. I knew there was more I wanted from life, though I couldn’t yet articulate what that was.
Fast-forward to 2024, the year everything started to click. I completed my yoga teacher training, a transformative experience that reignited my passion for personal growth and wellness. That spark led me to meditation training, yin yoga, sound healing, traveling, writing, and photography. These experiences weren’t just hobbies—they were lifelines pulling me toward something bigger.
And then, one day, I asked my job for a break—a proper adult gap year to see how many countries, cultures, and moments of self-discovery I could pack into 12 months. To my surprise, they said yes.
Embracing the Unknown
It feels surreal to write this out—to say, I’m taking a gap year at 38. It’s a dream that feels almost too good to be true, yet here I am, about to board the plane. I’ll be teaching yoga and meditation, taking photos for Faimos.com, and sharing my journey with anyone who wants to follow along.
For someone like me—a lifelong planner (hello, Virgo energy)—this feels like jumping off a cliff without a safety net. My instinct is to map out every detail of this trip, but something tells me that a rigid plan won’t serve me this time. What I’ve learned over the past two years is that life has its own rhythm, and resisting it only leads to frustration.
At 36, I finally understood what self-love truly means, and I realized I needed to rewrite my relationship with myself. I’ve spent the last 2.5 years unlearning old habits and giving myself permission to dream again. I’m finally ready to live a little lighter, embrace spontaneity, and see where the wind blows me.
Ironically, I was supposed to take a gap year when I was 18, but life had other plans. I met a boy, fell in love, and built a life instead. That boy is now my husband, and 20 years later, he’s ready to come with me on this adventure. Isn’t it funny how old dreams have a way of circling back when you least expect it?
What Are You Waiting For?
Do you have an old dream that haunts you in a good way? Something you’ve always meant to do but haven’t made space for yet? Maybe it’s time to dust it off and take a closer look.
2024 marked the beginning of my transformation. Yoga and meditation training reshaped not just what I do, but how I see the world and myself. These courses weren’t just about learning new skills—they were about peeling back layers, unlearning old beliefs, and discovering what truly matters to me.
This gap year isn’t about escaping life. It’s about diving deeper into it—living with intention, curiosity, and an open heart. It’s about finally answering the questions I’ve been circling for years:
- What kind of life do I want to build?
- Who do I want to spend my time with?
- What truly lights me up inside?
Ask yourself the same questions. What are you working toward? Is there a way to rearrange your life so you can experience it a little sooner? Beyond the grind, beyond the “next big thing”—what does your heart truly crave?
Trust the Signs
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past two years, it’s to trust the signs. Life whispers to us all the time, but we’re often too busy to listen.
For example, my husband and I spent years debating kitchen and bathroom renovations, but we never pulled the trigger. Deep down, we both knew those projects weren’t what we truly wanted—they were just distractions, bandaids for a life that didn’t quite fit anymore. In contrast, booking a one-way ticket to Bali and renting out our home felt effortless. The decision practically made itself.
When something feels wrong, it’s okay to pause and let go. Make room for other options to appear. Be curious about the possibilities.
Returning to my younger dreams of writing, photography, and creativity has been eye-opening. Those passions never left me—they were just waiting for me to return.
What Do You Dare to Dream?
Here’s the thing about dreams: they take courage. The fear of failure often keeps us stuck in our comfort zones, choosing familiarity over freedom. But what if fear is part of the process? What if the things that scare us most are the ones that will change us the most?
I’ve come to believe that self-discovery follows a sequence:
- Learn who you are.
- Learn to trust yourself.
- Follow the changes that scare you.
It’s not about skipping to the finish line. It’s about taking one brave step at a time.
A Life Beyond “Should”
For years, I saved for all the things I thought I should want—a bigger house, a better car, a fancier holiday. But none of it lit me up. My happiest moments over the past decade weren’t about status or luxury; they were about simplicity and purpose. They were about living fully and authentically.
Right now, standing still or settling for “the next logical step” doesn’t excite me. So, I’m saying no. No to the bigger house, no to the grind, no to waiting until retirement to live. Instead, I’m saying yes to the unknown. Yes, to adventure. Yes, to living.
The Journey Begins
Our gap year starts in February 2025 (Bali is the first stop), and from there, the itinerary is wide open. We’ll explore, volunteer, teach yoga and meditation, and see where life takes us.
If you’ve ever taken the leap of travelling, I’d love to hear your advice. If you know any hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path destinations, or meaningful volunteer opportunities, please reach out!
This isn’t just about travel—it’s about transformation, about rediscovering who we are when we step outside the grind and into the world.
So, I’ll leave you with this:
What dream are you waiting for? What life are you quietly craving? And what would happen if you said yes to it today?
Let’s live boldly. Let’s live now.
Follow me on Instagram: @movewithfai and @wordsandcontemplations. Let’s create a life that feels as good as it looks. 🌍
