Category Archives: Personal update

2011: A Year of Making Impossibles, Possible

Penang Beach, Malaysia.

Penang Beach, Malaysia.

“Sometimes, I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast…” – Alice in Wonderland

I recently came back to Toronto for Christmas after 13 months of traveling around the world.

I’m still digesting my experience. While I was away, traveling long-term seemed like it was no big deal. Everyone I met was hopping across countries and continents. Now that I’m back and catching up with friends, I’m starting to realize that this past year was actually an incredible achievement.

I traveled around the world by myself for a year.

I’ve been reflecting on my experiences, looking through the 17,200 photos I took, organizing ticket stubs from World Wonders I visited, and reminiscing about spontaneous moments shared with other travellers.

But what stands out the most, is that this year I accomplished a lot of things that seemed impossible – things I didn’t initially know how to do or things I didn’t know could be done at all.

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29 Awesome Lessons From My 29th Birthday

Lily Leung, Copenhagen, Denmark

Canals in Copenhagen, Denmark.

This has been a year of growth and change. I just turned 29 and even though I feel I’ve gained much life wisdom in the last 12 months, I actually don’t feel a day over 23.

From learning to let go of belongings, to finding the courage to travel alone, taking leaps of faith to go with the flow (instead of being a militant planner), to being fun-employed past the one year mark, I feel like I’ve had an emotional growth spurt.
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Personal Update: Next 7 Months, Leaving Asia and More Adventures

Personal Update: 7 More Months of Travel

Celebrating 5 months of solo travel!

This month marks 13 months since I left my job last April and the start of my 5th month of solo travel. I thought by now I’d be tired of travelling and would be on my way home.
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Leaving a Job, Travelling Solo – Highs and Lows of An Unforgettable Year

Highlights of 2010 - Lily Leung

Me, at Varanasi, India. More photos on Facebook.

A year ago, I would’ve never imagined I’d be jobless, single, travelling alone in Asia – and happy about it.

In my 28 years, I can’t think of another year where I’ve:

- Experience as much change in my life
- Cried so much, out of happiness and anxiety
- Worked through so many fears
- Followed my heart and took so many leaps of faith
- Made new friends and reconnected with old friends

Every month was different from the one before and it felt like I experienced more change and excitement this year than the last 4 years combined.
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26 Highlights from 26 Days in Incredible India

Highlights of India - Lily Leung Jumping Taj Mahal

Me, jumping at Taj Mahal. More photos on Facebook.

I had no idea what to expect when I was coming to India.

Travellers told me that I’d either love it or hate it. As the first stop of my round-the-world after leaving my day job months before, I prayed I wouldn’t be culture shocked and more importantly, I hoped I wouldn’t be lonely or homesick on my first attempt to travel alone.
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6 Months of Funemployment – Personal Update (and upcoming round-the-world trip)

6 Month Funemployment - Personal Update

Photo by Corie Howell

Last week marked 6 months since leaving my 9-5 day job to pursue my interests for a year.

When I began my journey, I set the following goals for myself:

1. Learn about web design
2. Travel solo for the first time, and
3. Create an income stream doing something I enjoy
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Yup, I Quit My 9-5 Job Today!

Yup, I Quit My 9-5 Job Today!

Photo by Nattu

Today, I officially left my 9-5 office job.

After spending 3 years in a corporate environment, at jobs that I didn’t feel connected to, I’ve decided to change how I spend my days and what I will spend my time doing.

For the next year, I will dedicate myself to pursuing my interests, self-directing my learning, living a healthier lifestyle, and working on projects I find fulfilling.
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