Starting over after 10 years in the Brazilian Air Force

Be honest: looking at me now, can you imagine that I was in the military for TEN YEARS? 👀

Yeah. Neither can I.

The woman in the photo is one of my closest friends from my Air Force days. She came into my life more than 12 years ago and never left. Through the happy moments and the difficult ones, we were there for each other. Sharing, talking, supporting one another.

Who would have thought that, after quite some time without seeing each other in person, we’d spend an entire week traveling around Europe together, both no longer in the military, laughing about so many things from the past?

If someone had told me back then that I’d be living in the country of my dreams, working in a career I love, with a life partner and traveling everywhere on the wings of Ryanair, I would’ve been like, yeah, sure 😂

When I thought I wasn’t cut out for military life

For a long time, I didn’t believe in myself. I always felt like I didn’t fit in. I always listened to the people who said I “wasn’t cut out for military life.”

The truth is, I really wasn’t 😁. And from that discomfort came the desire and the courage to fly in different skies (if you were ever one of the people who made that kind of comment, my sincere thank you!).

Career change also means trial and error

If you’re in the middle of a career change: feeling lost is normal. Trying a thousand things, considering a thousand different paths before making a decision. Trial and error will help you define your strategy.

Starting over after military life

And to the military and former military people who follow me here: don’t be afraid to start over. I know people have told you, and still tell you, a lot of things, but I’m here to repeat, as many times as necessary, that you DO have value.

Old Testament Débora is still here

That girls’ trip was a reunion with the best part of my past. Old Testament Débora is more alive than ever, but now with one extra ingredient: the glow of happiness ✨