9X girl determined to quit her job, sail around the world

The call of the wind and the waves urged Syasya Syahirah Nor Azmi (28 years old) to give up the bustling life on Penang Island (Malaysia) in exchange for the feeling of drifting in a place more than 18,000km away from home.

Syasya is currently on a Beneteau 57 sailing yacht, living in harmony with the rhythm of the sea off the coast of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. She is heading to French Polynesia and plans to cross the Pacific next year, according to SCMP.

Unexpected offer

Living in Costa Rica, Syasya has had a burning desire to explore the world around her since she was a child.

"My dream is to become a flight attendant so I can travel or a professional athlete. My family always knew that I wanted to travel all over the world," she said.

Syasya is among young Asians seeking the “gentle life” – a lifestyle choice that focuses on personal happiness rather than the relentless pursuit of career goals or success. It promotes freedom and reduces stress.

This shift in mindset was highlighted in a 2023 survey by recruitment agency Randstad Malaysia, which found that 79% of employees under the age of 34 were considering leaving their current jobs in pursuit of a better work-life balance.

Recognizing this shift, especially among the young, Singapore announced new guidelines earlier this month, allowing employees to request additional four-day work weeks and work-from-home days, starting from December this year.

As for Syasya, her journey around the world began in October 2023 when she was unexpectedly invited to join a group traveling to Curacao - a Dutch Caribbean island.

Syasya quickly embraced the joys of free living in beautiful natural surroundings, on the "home" she shared with the captain and two other crew members.

The Malaysian girl captures every moment, from casting a fishing line into the ocean to exploring pristine beaches and watching sunsets, to share on social media. Her posts are loved for their authenticity and simplicity, with endless ocean views as far as the eye can see.

For Syasya, the sense of freedom and adventure of living on a sailboat is a way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and embrace a more serene, peaceful existence.

A typical day for Syasya includes boat maintenance, sailing, and recreational activities like swimming, reading, and creating social media content.

“Living on a boat means having to constantly find ways to fix things yourself, which is made more difficult by the heat and humidity. When there is a breeze, we just open the doors to let the air circulate. But in places where there is no wind, the generator-powered air conditioning is a real lifesaver,” she said.

Besides, Syasya shared, living on a boat can sometimes be quite lonely because of being away from friends and family. When meeting other cruisers, her crew can connect with them but always have to say goodbye in the end.

“With limited space and the absence of loved ones, life can get lonely. Plus, the boating never ends. I get depressed sometimes… I also miss Malaysian food,” she said.

A typical day on Syasya's boat includes vehicle maintenance, transportation, and entertainment.

Just go ahead.

Syasya grew up in the small town of Sekinchan on the west coast of Malaysia. She studied sports and pursued a degree in Fashion Design before running her own business.

"I went to Johor to study at a sports school to become an athlete. Through that, I had the opportunity to participate in competitions. For me, it was a way to travel. I always found interesting ways to travel from a very young age," she said.

After graduating from high school in 2013, Syasya worked in a hotel, then moved to a cafe and pursued a career in fashion design.

After enrolling in a sports science course at a university in the Klang Valley, she decided to drop out to embark on a backpacking journey across Malaysia, ending up on the island of Penang.

"I worked in bars, cigar shops and cafes to make a living. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, I took an online course for 3 months. After the pandemic, I started selling fresh lemonade at flea markets, working only on weekends," she revealed.

The Malaysian girl is enjoying a free life, without the pressure of having to work to earn money like before.

Besides modeling, Syasya also opened a convenience store in Penang. From all the experiences she gained, she made many friends and continuously expanded her circle of friends.

Her time in Penang has helped Syasya gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and easily blend into diversity. She regularly organizes cultural exchange events with international friends.

Life on a boat is a far cry from the city life Syasya left behind. Instead of busy streets and bustling cafes, she wakes up to the sound of waves lapping against the hull of her boat. While everyone else rushes to work, she spends her days exploring remote islands and soaking up the sunshine.

As she looks to new horizons, Syasya has simple advice for those looking to follow in her footsteps: Just do it.

"When you have the opportunity to do something unusual, be brave enough to do it. Always keep an open mind and expand your horizons. Be bold enough to embrace the unknown, take risks, and seize every opportunity that comes your way," she shared.

Photo: @whatswrongsyaa

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/nhip-song-tre/co-gai-9x-quyet-tam-bo-viec-giang-buom-di-vong-quanh-the-gioi-20240429195304342.htm