MEMOIR

The Story of How My Freckles Returned

An unlikely beacon of being on the right path

A few months ago, I was standing in this dingy, little bathroom of the remote Canadian ski resort I worked at, getting ready for another day on the slopes. Late as always, I was rushing through my skincare when I suddenly noticed something. There were faint little dots all over my face.

Freckles.

I’ve had a few of those on my nose my whole life, however this time they were all over my face. Faint, but there.

At this ski resort, I was a snowboard instructor, meaning I spent much of my day outside. As the months went on, my freckles became more noticeable and numerous.

Freckles aren’t necessarily special or life-changing. Yet to me, they were the most evident indicator I’ve had to date that I am on the right path.

That is something I haven’t felt like in a long time.

I went to university for four years and got my Bachelor of Science, after which I worked in a London office for a year, trying to build my career. My degree, and life in London after, made me anxious and even depressed at times, yet I believed that this was the path to success.

When I looked at myself in the mirror back then, I looked washed out. I just assumed it was how pale I naturally am.

Then, in September last year, I decided I needed to change something. That what I had been working towards my whole life just wasn’t making me happy. I quit my job and took a language course in the South of France.

There, I spent my time by the beach, walking the picturesque little streets of small French towns and watching the sunset with my new friends.

Within two weeks, I was shocked to see my body physically change. My skin was glowing (genuinely, not an exaggeration), I was getting a tan and I didn’t constantly feel tired.

I realised something back then that was only solidified by my recent appearance of freckles.

The key thing you need to know here is that all throughout university and the job after, I had zero freckles on my face. To the point where I was certain that I had grown out of them, just as some adults who were blonde as a child, have brown hair later on.

To see them return was a sign of happiness to me. In the past 9 months, I have spent more time outdoors than I have in a very long time. I have also had some of the happiest months of my life. Coincidence?

I don’t believe so. Just as my freckles needed the sun and outdoors to return, my happiness and mental well-being needed much of the same. I love working outdoors.

So, while I am not using my degree or building a career in the traditional sense at the moment, I think I am on the right path. At least the right path for me at this moment in time.

I’m in my 20s and while I am ambitious and a perfectionist, sitting in an office just doesn’t work for me right now. I need a job where I can move my body, be outside in the fresh air and feel the sun on my face.

That’s where I find true happiness right now. The freckles really only proved what I already knew to be true.