Why Does This Little Birdie Choose to Stay and Not Spread Its Wings?
Have you ever felt like you were standing on the edge of a great opportunity, but something inside you held you back?
Growing up, I was blessed with a family that gave me the freedom to pursue anything I wanted. They were open-minded and supportive, allowing me to explore my interests without restrictions. Despite this, I often feel trapped within myself. Even with all the freedom I have, I can't seem to find the courage to travel, start a business, or take any significant risks.
The Invisible Cage
This sense of being trapped is so overwhelming that even a heartbreak, which made me want to leave the country, couldn't push me to act. I constantly wonder why, with the cage door open, I choose to stay inside. Am I afraid?
Is there something I'm still holding onto?
Do I make excuses to stay where I am?
Am I reluctant to leave my loved ones behind, even though they encourage me to go?
(This picture reminded me of a time when I saw a pet bird kept inside a cage. However, when the owner opened the cage and let the bird out, it decided to fly back in. This bird represents me.)
A Crossroad After Graduation
The past few months have been particularly challenging and confusing. After graduating, my friends went off to travel, started working, or enjoyed their lives. Meanwhile, I was busy applying for jobs, attending networking events, conferences, and exhibitions, all with the dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Despite my efforts, I remained unemployed for over eight months until I finally found a part-time job. However, the work was sporadic and only happened during peak school seasons, leaving me with long periods of inactivity.
Frustrated with the repetitive cycle, I returned to job applications, feeling exhausted and questioning my efforts. Why is it so hard to find a job nowadays? Why am I not lucky?
A Possible Message in the Struggles
In reflecting on my situation, I began to wonder if there was a larger message in my struggles. Was life, or perhaps a higher power, telling me to use this time to rest, travel, and do what I've always wanted to do?
Traveling has always been difficult for me due to severe motion sickness, which made trips unenjoyable and burdensome for my family. But recently, during a visit to my home country, I noticed my motion sickness had significantly improved. I no longer felt airsick or carsick, and I was finally able to enjoy myself.
Embracing the Open Door
This improvement made me question if it was a sign that I should start traveling now that my motion sickness is no longer an issue. This realization brings me back to the central question: why do I still hesitate to leave the cage when the door is wide open?
Time to Spread My Wings
Maybe it's time to confront my fears and embrace the opportunities that lie beyond my comfort zone. Perhaps this is the perfect moment to start exploring the world, taking risks, and discovering what life has to offer outside my familiar surroundings. Embracing change and stepping into the unknown is daunting, but it's often where we find growth and fulfillment. I am beginning to see that perhaps it's time for this little birdie to finally spread its wings and fly.
Your Turn to Reflect
What about you?
Have you ever felt like you were stuck inside an open cage?
What holds you back from flying off?
Sometimes, the answers to these questions can lead us to the most transformative journeys of our lives.
*First picture taken from: 24.media.tumblr.com*
*Second picture taken from: Me (DiaryOfSGLife)*
