Staying.

It happened just like before, only in reverse.

This time, instead of feeling the urge – or rather the need – to go, I wanted to stay.

I didn’t see it coming, but then I rarely do. I arrived back in Tasmania in September with the plan of leaving again in March. That would be enough time. I’d save some money, do some work on my house and enjoy the summer before hopping on a plane with another one-way ticket.

But something changed. By the new year I was tempted by permanent vacancies at work that offered more stability than my casual contract. After months of housesitting and staying with friends, I was yearning to unpack, although it was still March before my suitcase was empty for the first time in 10 months. I wanted to be in my house with my things.

Now it is official. I am staying.

My permanent contract is signed (and by the way it’s really strange to apply for a job you’re already doing!). I’ve moved back into my house. I’ll be searching for a housemate soon and most importantly, I’ve unpacked my books…and it feels great!

There have been a couple of adjustments. I’ve got so many bills! It’s incredible how quickly they all came along. The only thing I’ve really worried about for the last few years has been a prepaid phone, travel insurance and rent. In the blink of an eye I had a gym membership, health insurance and roadside assistance. And house bills. And I’m about to get internet connected. Nomadic life certainly had its perks.

And the real test: the other week I was required to submit my holiday requests for the upcoming financial year and had six weeks to play with. Last year I took four months of holidays. The year before it was six. But I have to consider myself lucky as the average amount of annual leave in Australia is four weeks, so I’m doing well. Especially compared to places like the US or Canada where two weeks is the norm. (Seriously, Aussies have it SO good!) As I work a seven-day roster it’s possible for me to take mini-breaks and travel a bit within the country, so I’m saving my leave for trips that require a passport. And I have one word for you: Asia! I have trips to Thailand and Myanmar in mind, and possibly a return to Japan, because, well, it’s Japan!

My decision to stay seems to have surprised others more than it has me, particularly because it will effectively ground me for a good while. ”How will I cope without my usual jet setting?” people have asked. But as I’ve written several times, spending so long away from Australia made me appreciate where I’m from and also realise how little of my home I’ve explored. Already this summer I made an effort to see as much as I could. I walked the Overland Track, visited the Bay of Fires for the first time, and have set myself the goal of putting on my “tourist hat” at least once a month.

I optimistically wrote last year that being home would give me a chance to catch up on my blog and share many untold stories from my previous travels. Except that didn’t happen. I’ve been exceptionally quiet on here. First I was making the most of our super-short Tasmanian summer and lately my days have been filled with work, painting, cleaning or unpacking. If I’d posted during that time you would have probably ended up with an article about the drama of putting together a so-called “easy-to-install” DIY wardrobe and that’s not what I do here.

I don’t know how long I’ll stay in Tassie but I can promise you many adventures while I’ve here. This is a magical part of the world and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.