At the age of 43, I found myself at a pivotal moment. Losing my job—an experience that could easily have been viewed as a setback or catastrophe—catalysed a profound transformation. In that moment of uncertainty, I made a promise to myself: never again would I allow anyone to dictate my professional fate. Armed with this conviction, I embarked on a new journey as an entrepreneur. The road was anything but easy, requiring relentless determination, persistence, and countless sacrifices. In time, I achieved a degree of success, but looking back, I now realise that while I gained control over my career, I lost some of the certainty I once held about life.
As I grow older – now 24 years later – I find myself grappling with the paradox that the more experience I accumulate, the less I seem to understand life. In my youth, everything appeared so straightforward—clear goals, ideological ambitions, and a sense of certainty about how the world operated. I believed that hard work, intelligent decisions, and a logical plan would inevitably lead to my envisioned future. Yet, over time, I’ve understood that life is far more complex and unpredictable than I ever imagined.
One of the most striking lessons I’ve learned on this journey is the sheer unpredictability of life. Despite all my careful planning and well-thought-out decisions, life has a way of unfolding in ways that defy logic and preparation. No matter how much effort I put into controlling my path, unforeseen challenges and opportunities inevitably arise. The world is not governed solely by predictable cause-and-effect; it operates in a much more chaotic and nuanced rhythm. Realising that control is often an illusion has been both humbling and liberating.
My entrepreneurial journey has only reinforced this understanding. When I started, a friend advised me to prepare for a “24/7” lifestyle, where the business would occupy my thoughts and energy around the clock. Initially, this advice seemed like a humorous exaggeration, but this relentless commitment became a necessary part of my reality over time. It taught me that while hard work and persistence are essential, they are not guarantees of success. Life is full of variables that no amount of effort can control. Success requires determination, a mix of resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to accept uncertainty.
Relationships have also been a profound source of learning and reflection. In my younger years, I believed human connections were unbreakable and built on loyalty and mutual respect. Yet, as time has passed, I’ve realised that people change and circumstances evolve, often in ways I couldn’t anticipate. One particular experience stands out in my memory. I had supported a colleague in numerous ways—offering her a job to escape an unpleasant employer, funding her studies, and supporting her through challenging personal circumstances. Yet one day, she called to resign, choosing a corporate position I knew I couldn’t compete with. Despite the financial allure of her new role, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of betrayal after all I had sacrificed to help her.
This experience underscored the unpredictable nature of human behaviour. I’ve often been left questioning why I invested so much time and effort into relationships that ended without the loyalty or appreciation I had expected. It has been a painful reminder that, like life itself, people are complex and driven by motivations I may never fully understand. These experiences, though difficult, have taught me the importance of letting go of expectations and accepting that others will follow their paths, regardless of the sacrifices I may have made on their behalf.
In addition to these lessons, time has heightened my awareness of life’s existential uncertainties. In my youth, I believed there were clear answers to the big questions—about purpose, meaning, and the nature of existence. Yet, as I age, I’ve come to understand that the more I seek answers, the more elusive they become. I now realise life is not a puzzle to be solved but a journey to be experienced in all its complexity. This understanding has been both humbling and liberating. Pursuing certainty has given way to a more profound acceptance of the unknown.
Yet, paradoxically, I have found a certain peace in this uncertainty—perhaps not peace, but a sense of acceptance. I’ve realised that the past is history and the future is unknowable. Letting go of the need to understand every facet of life has allowed me to appreciate the present fully. Living in the moment, valuing what I have today, and worrying less about what tomorrow may bring have become guiding principles. The unknown, which once filled me with anxiety, now enriches life’s depth and meaning.
My journey, particularly as an entrepreneur, has been a crucible for many invaluable lessons. Ageing has instilled a profound sense of humility in me. I’ve understood that life is not about finding definitive answers but embracing the journey of perpetual discovery. Once viewed as obstacles, life’s complexities and uncertainties have become opportunities for growth, reflection, and empathy. The less I understand, the more open I have become to life’s boundless possibilities. In that openness, I have found professional success and a deeper appreciation for the richness of the human experience.
