Touching Down in Oz

A New Beginning

Before I ever set foot in Australia, I was already in a strange in-between state—like I was holding my breath, waiting for a whole new chapter to start. I’d said my goodbyes in Belgium, feeling that odd tension of being ready to move on but not quite gone yet. Then, before my flight, I headed up to Amsterdam for a brief but meaningful stop. I spent a night catching up with my friend Ilan—an Israeli traveler I’d met in Gran Canaria—and some of his friends. It was a moment of connection, a reminder of the nomadic community I’d grown to love. Yet even then, I knew we were all just passing through each other’s lives, on our own individual journeys.

In the weeks leading up to departure, my journal was full of plans and questions. Influenced by Atomic Habits, I wanted to “set myself up for success” the moment I landed. I wrote about craving freedom, self-fulfillment, and a community that truly resonated with me. It came down to a longing for growth and authenticity:

“I don’t feel at home where I am now. The environment has reached its cap for growth, I feel. The wind is tugging at my seeds, drifting me towards a nourishing place. I could benefit from wise elders or mentors.”

I was honest with myself about what was driving me: a pull to flourish, a need for deeper connection, and the urge to understand and be understood. In these final days before leaving Europe, I was still trying to maintain healthy habits, go on social media detoxes, and imagine what my life could look like on the other side of the world. I remember feeling somewhat distant during farewell parties—my heart was already traveling ahead of my body.

“I feel alone even though I have loads of people around me. The anticipation for Australia is getting big and after a few parties I feel directionless. I’m feeling resistance over it.”

Soon enough, I was at the airport in Amsterdam, big backpack in tow, heading for a flight to New Delhi and then onward to Sydney. Touching down in Australia on September 22, 2023, felt surreal. Those first days in Sydney were a whirlwind: staying at a central hostel, getting a SIM card, a tax file number, and a bank account. The city’s pace and my mounting expenses weighed on me. I’d imagined I’d land with clarity, but instead I was facing new stressors. The promise of freedom and exploration was still there, but so was the reality of needing money and direction.

In my journal, I captured the mix of doubt and determination:

“It’s day 4 at the moment. I feel the ups and downs in my mood, doubts about the whole thing. But I know this is right for me.”

Sydney’s hustle wasn’t my style, and I knew I had to adapt fast. I decided to try WWOOFing—exchanging work for room and board—to escape the city’s expenses and give myself time to think. Soon I found myself in Kurrajong, waking up at 6:30 for yoga and meditation with my host, Anna:

“I’m in Kurrajong, Australia, on a beautiful property. Excited to be here, excited to be alive!”

Here I was, on the other side of the planet, beginning to realize that not everything would go as smoothly as I’d hoped. Yet the uncertainty and the obstacles felt oddly right—like part of the learning curve. Now that I’d left the city behind, I could breathe and reflect on what truly mattered to me.

This was just the beginning. Next time, I’ll share how I found my first WWOOFing spot and how stepping away from the city chaos helped me lay the groundwork for my next moves—like finding my own van and carving out a more sustainable path forward.