Four months ago, on April 1st, 2019 I braved myself to take a step. I resigned early from Tempo, an institution that has become my family and a part of my identity for the last 21 years.
Many friends were asking, including my network from the Netherlands and Denmark, “Are you sure this is the right decision for you?” I firmly answered, “Yes, I am sure. It’s about time for me to start my own journey.”
Well, this has not been a full four months. And I still enjoy my freedom, not really planning on landing in any institutions. Walking outside my comfort zone turned out to be satisfying. Several offers have come, and the unexpected ones.
Being outside of my comfort zone is an eye-opening experience. I am motivated in observing new things, or old things but from a different angle that is more refreshing.
One of the eye-opening experiences is this #PuanIndonesia. I met women from various different backgrounds, who told me their stories, their fragments of life in this account. This is, by far, an extraordinary experience.
I have a dream, telling the world the stories, the fragment of a thousand, a hundred thousand, a million Indonesian women, from Sabang to Merauke. If this dream comes true, it will be the most mesmerizing mosaic in my life.
Indeed today, seeing the collection of stories in the Instagram account @chamimmardiyah, even only for a few stories, has already a heart-warming experience for me. There is warmth inside.
Hopefully, my dream will come true. Wish me luck!
