Two years in Joburg: My Journey of Starting Over (Part 1)

Starting over: A blank canvas

Moving to Johannesburg two years ago felt like stepping into a new world, full of opportunities and fresh starts. It wasn’t just a change of scenery; it was a chance to rekindle my career in the digital economy (and in financial services) and redefine what parenting and personal growth meant for me after my divorce.

In this three-part series, I want to share my reflections on this journey, highlighting my experiences with starting anew, the challenges of parenting (and co-parenting), my leadership journey and what is currently shaping my thinking about the world we live in and my role in it.

Embracing a New Life

I chose to relocate to Johannesburg after 8 years of living and working in Lesotho. This was a deliberate choice, having spent all that time focusing on building a family, building a business and contributing to the professional and entrereneurial development landscape of the country. I felt I had made a name for myself professionally, given all that I could give to my community, and I was ready for new beginnings that would give me the growth I desired for myself - in experience, impact and earnings "$$$". Even though I was no stranger to packing up and pursuing a challenge in a new environment, Johannesburg reminded me that starting a new life encompasses more than just a change of address. It calls for a shift in mindset and embracing uncertainty while staying open to new experiences.

In a recent LinkedIn post titled, "Reinvention is not a reset, it is a return," Ms Buhle Hansie, the former president of the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA), shares her experience of starting anew, shedding the leadership identity associated with her AWCA presidency—a journey that deeply resonates with me. Over the past two years, I've grappled with the question of who I am in a city and organization where, as my friend Tshego reminded me, I am seen as an outsider, where my value and contributions are largely unknown, and where I must work hard to prove myself and my abilities. I still don't have the answer (to who am I?), however I have embraced the possibilities of what this new journey offers me, which Buhle describes as an opportunity to shed what no longer serves me and to return to my true self.

The journey has not been without challenges, but indeed no journey worth taking ever is. However, I'd like to share a few lessons that I think can be useful for anyone thinking of making their own leap into the unknown to make the transition smoother:

1. Set Clear Intentions: When I moved to Johannesburg, I was clear on why I wanted to move and this is something I revisit every now and then to decide whether the job opportunity I took has delivered on the aspects of my growth that I thought it would, and to continue to challenge myself in the ways I can continue to grow as intended (in experience, impact and earnings).

   
   

2. Have a clear budget and financial plan for the transition: Evey life decision has a financial cost, and therefore establishing a detailed budget is crucial for managing expenses (moving costs, housing and daily living costs) during a transition. Having a financial plan and clarity on how I was going to fund my move (ideally you should get your new employer to fund this), helped me avoid the stress of unexpected financial strain in the early days of the move and allowed for a more comfortable adjustment period.

   
   

3. Follow your heart and embrace the unknown: While it's essential to plan, it's equally important to remain open to new experiences and opportunities that may arise unexpectedly. Life is unpredictable, and while I planned my transition very well, there have been scenarios that have played out that I couldn't have foreseen. However, I have never allowed this to cause me to doubt whether I should have moved because I know that the discomfort that new experiences bring is exactly where my opportunity for growth resides.

   
   

4. Find your community and tribe: One of the biggest disappointments I felt about moving here was that it hasn't been practical to connect with most of the people I knew before moving here. However, I very quickly embraced that I needed to invest in the people who are actually close to me and build a support network that has kept me going until now. Being here has reinforced my belief that we are made for community and that the emotional support, practical advice, and a sense of belonging that comes with having a healthy community of fellow school parents, work colleagues, the local running club, friends and acquaintances can make or break the experience of making such a big transition.

   
   

5. Be curious about, and committed to finding yourself: Change is overwhelming, and requires a lot of grieving (grieving what you thought you knew about life, and about yourself) and learning how to exist successfully in an unknown world. On many occassions in my transition proceess, I have doubted whether I indeed have the tools to thrive in such a big environment, however, my commitment to lean into the discomfort has gotten me small pockets of breakthroughs and validated that I have much more capacity for change than I thought I did, and that there's so much more about myself that I'm yet to discover, and I'm here for it. I continue to carry the conviction that if there's one person I'm betting on in this world, it has to be ME!

As I reflect on these past two years in Johannesburg, it becomes clear that this journey is about more than just personal and professional growth; it’s a testament to resilience and the power of reinvention. Each lesson learned has not only shaped my approach to challenges but has also deepened my understanding of who I am and who I aspire to be. While the path has been fraught with uncertainties, it has also been rich with opportunities for connection and self-discovery. I look forward to continuing this journey, embracing the unknown with open arms, and sharing more insights along the way. The adventure is far from over, and I am excited to see where it leads next. See you next time as we uncover two more parts of my adventure.

Likeleli M