As a child, I would fall asleep listening to public radio stories about places I had never seen. I spent hours reading National Geographic magazines, watching travel documentaries, and cooking shows that introduced me to cuisines and cultures from around the world. Those stories sparked a deep curiosity in me: What else was out there, and who could I become?
Throughout my life, new beginnings have often started with fear. I was too shy to practice my French, so I enrolled in a summer French study program in Quebec during high school. I was terrified of public speaking, yet I eventually became a city tour guide, sharing stories and local history with visitors from around the world each day. Wanting to step even further outside my comfort zone, I auditioned for an a cappella group despite never having performed on stage before. To my surprise, I made the group and later found myself singing at a competition.
When I wasn't sure what career path to pursue, I chose curiosity over certainty. I volunteered with children and seniors, attended industry events, and gathered the courage to ask strangers for coffee chats. Each conversation offered a new perspective and helped me better understand both the world and myself.
To me, new beginnings mean facing fear, trusting your instincts, and believing that you can turn the page at any moment. They are less about becoming someone entirely new and more about discovering new parts of yourself.
Today, I have travelled to places I once only heard about on the radio. I have sat on a hill overlooking the sea, watching the sunset beside strangers and locals alike. The sun is the same everywhere, yet every view feels different depending on where you stand.