Leaving?

I do kind of love my little hometown of Beerwah. It's given me a great childhood and, despite the lack of footwear worn at Woolworths, the people here go alright.

My favourite memories have got to be from Beerwah Primary and Beerwah High. In preschool I can remember painting our playground with water, growing weeds in stockings and "baking" ice-cream cones for Bakers Day. In the years that followed there were concerts, dreaded sports carnivals, NAPLAN tests, camps, Beerwah Big Night Out's, incredible teachers, heartfelt speeches and two graduations.

But, I'm about to leave this place behind.

With my degree drawing to a close I have to consider my options heading into 2018. Since discovering my passion for journalism I've been pretty open to the idea of moving to a North Queensland region to start my career. I'm prepared to leave everything I have ever known and start somewhere new.

I'm super excited to see Beerwah in my rearview mirror. As much as I love this place I also want a big fancy journo career and all the travel associated with that lifestyle.

Don't get me wrong there is a load of adulting to be done. I still live it home, get dinner cooked for me every night and rely on my parents when I can't make a decision. Realistically I'm going to struggle without them. I'm going to struggle without this place and without my comfort zone.

How am I going to file my own tax returns, pay electricity bills and make enough food to survive? How will I cope when there are days I want to chuck in the towel and move back to my little haven on the Sunshine Coast? What am I going to do when I need a button sewn on a shirt? What if I accidentally leave my car lights on again and can't ring Dad to come and get me?

What if it's all one big mistake?

#ashleighdwan #beyondthestory #journalism