Turning down a national contract three years ago, the Australian allrounder just wanted to play more often and get better.
What followed was a "whirlwind" of domestic dominance with Tasmania and Hobart in 50 and 20-over cricket respectively that prompted her recall to the national team set-up.
The 32-year-old wasn't part of Australia's last two World Cup campaigns that both ended in semi-final upsets.
Now she's back and keen to contribute.
"To sit there and actually think about it (it is special). It wasn't on my radar, or anything I expected," she told AAP of her surprise decision in 2023.
"When I made the call I didn't have a huge goal or focus to really get back into the Aussie stuff.
"I just wanted to get better. Then opportunities popped up. I'm happy, because I feel I've got better and I've got a bit lucky along the way to get back into the set-up.
"But even if I didn't get back I still would have been happy, no regrets."
Carey was out cheaply chasing quick runs in Australia's second T20 World Cup warm-up clash with South Africa that was washed out on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST).
Australia were 5-79 after 8.1 overs, with opener Beth Mooney unbeaten on 37 off 22 balls, before play was abandoned.
Carey, who made four off five balls, looms as a versatile piece in a stacked batting order, having worked on her play against spin and her method in general.
"You can do all the work in the nets but playing cricket, you need to test it out in games and that's what I got to do," she said of her time out of the Australian set-up.
"I'm a bit clearer on how I want to go about it (batting) ... I had to figure out how to go about it and that takes time.
"I'm not a big hitter but I hit to different areas and figured out my game against spin. It takes a while to figure out your game."
Australia will play South Africa again at Arundel Castle on Thursday and then face England twice in Cardiff before their tournament opener, against the Proteas in Manchester on June 13.
"We're a pretty proud group and know we're a good team," Carey said, reflecting on their last two World Cup exits.
"I wasn't there but you know, in those tournaments, it's little moments.
"So it's not huge shifts, it's just how to be better in those moments and we're not far off."
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