The "What Ifs" We All Tend to Ask Ourselves in Life

**The "What Ifs" We All Tend to Ask Ourselves in Life**

Have you ever wondered where you would be if you had done that one thing you always wanted to do? Or where you would be if you hadn’t chosen the path you're on now?

We all have dreams and desires, but sometimes we don't know how to achieve them. After all, we only know what we know—and that's okay. This realization has been my main setback, but I've come to accept it. We live and we learn. I had big dreams, coming from a small town, wanting to make a difference and become someone known. We plan, and we end up where we need to be. But remember, the journey isn't over just because you're where you are now.

Join me as I take you on my journey, sharing how everything eventually came together and how I continue to strive for my dreams, even after all my "What Ifs" I have asked myself.

Growing up, my sister and I were always involved in entrepreneurial ventures—making fudge, selling red wine-infused salt, creating jewelry. After school, I wanted to pursue jewelry making, but my dad insisted I study something more lucrative. I enrolled in university without a clear idea of what I wanted, landing in B.Com Banking by a random choice. Six months later, I switched to B.Com Industrial Psychology, which I also disliked. Despite this, my five years on campus were incredible, filled with lasting friendships and valuable experiences.

During this time, I organized sponsorships for our annual Miss August event, securing designer handbags, spa treatments, and jewelry from a well-known company. This connection led to my first job in the jewelry industry, reigniting my passion. My dad had just passed away, and with my mom supporting my sister and me, I decided to start working to help ease the burden and pursue my desire to find myself.

My job involved selling jewelry and occasionally designing pieces. Eventually, I managed a store and later worked on cruise ships in their luxury jewelry boutiques, handling exquisite high-end pieces and the famous St Petersburg Collection by Theo Fabergé, the grandson of the famous Imperial Jeweler to the Romanov family, Carl Fabergé, . I traveled the world, from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, experiencing a life many can only dream of. But after a few years, I returned home to Cape Town, ready to find my footing on solid ground.

Reentering the job market in South Africa, even with international experience, was challenging. I thought it would be a breeze, but life handed me a reality check, and I had to quickly get off my pedestal. I ended up in real estate, something I had always wanted to do, which I enjoyed for a while. A friend then introduced me to an opportunity at a well-established florist in Cape Town. Managing a florist wasn't my initial plan, but I saw it as a gateway to the events industry, another passion of mine. I fell in love with flowers and ran the florist for four years before venturing out on my own.

I then moved to Franschhoek, a small village just outside Cape Town, where I planted flowers and participated in a reality TV program called "Die Groenste Vingers" Season 2. This competition for florists around South Africa, similar in concept to MasterChef, spanned 13 episodes. I made it all the way to the top 3, the finals.

Now, most of my time is devoted to the bakery and coffee shop my partner and I opened in this village just outside Stellenbosch. If you've followed my posts, you know the story. This coffee shop has been a lifelong dream, realized after two previous attempts over the course of many years.

Looking back, I wonder what would have happened if I'd gone to jewelry school or studied architecture. Would I still have this colorful life, having seen the world by age 36? What if I hadn't gone to university and missed the sponsorship opportunity that led to my jewelry job? What if I hadn't taken that job offer?

We can ask these "what if" questions endlessly, but they won’t change where we are. Introspection is vital, helping us gain perspective and appreciate our journey. Life takes us on unique paths, and even if we make less-than-ideal choices, we can always find our way back.

We all have a purpose, often more than one. It's not about what we do but how we do it. Taking calculated risks has always been my approach. I quit my jewelry job before securing a new one, but I found a night shift at a guesthouse, providing a roof over my head and breakfast. I sold most of my belongings and boarded a flight to Fort Lauderdale, embarking on a thrilling, unknown adventure.

We need to do what we need to do!

Living without regret is crucial. Every step we take is based on our knowledge and beliefs at the time. We learn from both good decisions and mistakes. Observing life from a positive angle helps us grow.

All these experiences led me to my dream of owning a coffee shop. Along the way, I've had amazing experiences and achieved many goals. Create your experiences; don't wait for them to happen. Each step leads to another, and I'm excited for what's next. Keep working hard and dreaming big.