You're not Behind, You're Becoming

On today’s episode of Which Path Less Traveled Am I Taking Next?…

I left my job (again) and took off to Montenegro alone for a month and a half to set up an apartment my parents own as a rental property.

When I made this decision, it made total sense to me. As you might know, I’m on my way to becoming a psychotherapist. Last summer, I went on a three-month solo journey across Europe and had a massive realization: I wanted to change careers and leave the corporate world behind. I wanted to help people live truly aligned lives — to become who they really are underneath all the noise.

So naturally, that meant going back to school for clinical psychology.

The Money Part

The hard part, though? Going back to school — for my third degree — comes with its fair share of financial uncertainty.

I’m only 27. I’ve worked for a few years, but a lot of that time was spent trying to figure out who I am, what I want to do, and where I’m meant to be. So I don’t have a big financial safety net.

But I did remember this one beautiful apartment in Montenegro that my grandfather gave to my parents. It’s close to the coast, and while we’ve had family stay there from time to time, it’s mostly been sitting empty for years. That’s when it clicked: what if I turned this into a vacation rental to support myself through school?

It was a bit of a wild idea. I had to spend money on the flight, forego a month and a half of any income, and invest upfront to get the place rental-ready. But something in me knew I had to try.

The Dream vs. The Reality

When I landed in Montenegro, I was full of excitement. I thought: this is going to be the best trip ever. I imagined long days by the beach, writing, reading, meditating, journaling– all while setting up the perfect rental property in no time.

And yes — I did some of those things. But what I didn’t expect was the reality check that came shortly after arriving.

Your dreams rarely unfold the way you imagine them — in fact, I’m learning they almost never do.

Very quickly, the trip became stressful. While I speak Serbian/Montenegrin, I’m not fluent enough to confidently navigate conversations with property managers, contractors, or utility providers. Trying to get Wi-Fi or cable installed became a whole ordeal. And I completely underestimated the weight that the financial burden would have on my mental health — something I’m constantly working on, especially when it comes to being resilient through financial instability.

The Spiral (and The Shift)

The first week or two were pure panic. That what-the-hell-am-I-doing-with-my-life kind of spiral. All my peers, friends, and family were back in North America with stable jobs, clear futures, and comfortable lives.

Meanwhile, I was out here, letting go of yet another “stable” job, trying to figure my sh*t out.

But now, I’m on the other side of it. The fog has lifted. I’ve had a few days to reflect on just how intense those few weeks were.

And the truth is — the situation wasn’t actually that bad. In fact, part of me knew it in the moment. But maybe you’ve felt this too: when something feels like the end of the world, even though logically, you know it’s not.

That feeling — I’m starting to realize — comes from our conditioning. From our childhoods, our past struggles, the things we’ve been through that shape our nervous systems and how we respond to stress.

So my life story shaped how I responded to this one. And honestly? I’m glad it happened.

The Gratitude

It cracked me open. It triggered me. It brought up all my old fears. It made me question everything. But looking back now — just a few weeks later — I’m immensely grateful.

Because it taught me something.

It brought me into deep discomfort, and I grew through it. And I know there’s still more to uncover.

So here I am. Still on the path less traveled. Still figuring it out. But a little more grounded. A little more clear. And a lot more in awe of what happens when we keep saying yes to the path that calls us — even when it’s terrifying.

The Lesson: "Behind Yet Ahead"

I journaled this morning, and a theme came through loud and clear:

I feel behind, yet ahead at the same time.

And honestly? That contradiction makes total sense when you’re walking the path of alignment.

Here’s something I wrote:

“After a series of big life decisions and winding paths that pulled me in different directions, I found myself in a strange place. It’s just been such a whirlwind of growth and learning and deep personal and psychological change — but there’s been such a slowdown in my financial gain and kind of what society would deem as success.”

I’ve taken odd jobs. I’ve traveled, even when I could barely afford it. I’ve sat in the discomfort of not knowing how it’s all going to work out. And yet, through all of it, I’ve learned more about myself than ever before. There’s still a long way to go — but when I look back at where I started, I know I’ve come far.

And even though sometimes I worry about money… about not owning a home… about being different from my peers who seem to have clearer paths and bigger savings… I also know this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

“It feels like I’m behind on the outside, yet ahead on the inside.”

And maybe you’ve felt that too.

So here’s what I’m trying to remind myself — and maybe it’s something you need to hear too:

Just because you feel behind, or like you’ve made a few wrong turns, doesn’t mean you’re off track– No matter where you are in life.

Truly amazing things take time. And the path to those amazing things looks different for each and every one of us. So please, try not to compare your timeline to someone else’s highlight reel.

The ultimate goal — at least for me — is to live a fulfilled, purposeful, and joyful life. And the only way to do that is by making the hard decisions that feel right. Even when they don’t make sense to anyone else. Even when they take you into the unknown.

And when it feels like you’ve taken a wrong turn, remember:

there actually are no wrong turns.

Every step, every detour, every breakdown — it’s all part of the way forward. All of it brings you closer to a life of joy and alignment.

I’m walking that path. Slowly, imperfectly, and wholeheartedly. And I have a feeling it’s going somewhere really beautiful.

So What Next?

So what now? For me, it’s about finding small ways to live these lessons — daily.

It’s one thing to reflect on the bigger picture, but the real shift happens in the everyday moments: when I stop rushing, stop comparing, and start trusting that where I am is exactly where I’m meant to be.

I’ve realized that this path — with all its twists, doubts, pauses, and pivots — is uniquely mine. And yours is uniquely yours. It’s not supposed to look like anyone else’s. There’s no timeline to chase, no finish line to race toward.

One thing I’ve started doing is writing in my journal and then asking ChatGPT to help me pull the lessons out — to find the patterns, the wisdom, the messages beneath the surface. After today’s reflection, we came up with the Daily Reflection Ritual below to help me stay grounded and remind myself that everything is okay. That I’m safe. That I’m not behind — I’m becoming.

It’s simple, and it includes affirmations and journal prompts that I hope will support me — and maybe you — in navigating the beautiful, messy nuances of life.

I hope reading this has helped you take even one small step in your own aligned direction. You’re not late. You’re not lost. You’re already on your way.

If you're reading this- I love you :)

-Tia