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I am feeling a tad overwhelmed! As of last Monday, HK and I are making some MAJOR changes in our life!
Lately, HK has been increasingly frustrated with his life path, searching for more meaning and deciding what to do later on down the road. So we decided to watch the budget and begin making plans for an eventual career-break, somewhere between 2-5 years. Using the power of positive thinking, I had no doubt that this would, indeed, happen.
For the past several years, I have been keeping a dreamboard reflecting the things that I want out of life, long and short-term. Most of it involves travel, relocation, growth and, of course, meeting Ellen DeGeneres (my idol). HK’s dreamboard is still in his head, but I am encouraging him to make it tangible.
SCREEEEEEEECHHH (that’s the sound of a stereo needle dragging across the record album). After a week of deliberation and heart-to-hearts, what-if’s and why-not’s, HK formally resigned from his job at a Fortune 500 company where he has worked for many years. This certainly wasn’t the immediate plan, but, well, life doesn’t always pan out the exact way we figure, does it? So we’re fast-tracking our plans and furiously figuring out our next steps. We have no schedule, no itinerary, no concrete obligations, and nothing really holding us back, so it just makes sense to move forward now.
Our goal in this journey of discovery is to figure out to how we want to live the rest of our life. We both agree that Atlanta is not our forever home. We want to live near a coast, but no further south than we already are. Mountains are important, as well. We’re not flat-landers. Actually, we’re not convinced that we need to stay in the US, although, with a family that includes 3 dogs, we will be limiting our upcoming adventures to places that are drivable. (This isn’t too far-fetched, as we drove our 2 dogs with us to live in Vancouver for a summer 2 years ago.) Besides, they need to have a say in where “home” is gonna be!
When Zachary Scott said “As you grow older, you’ll find the only things you regret are the things you didn’t do,” he was speaking to me. As I’ve said before, hitting the 50 year mark was a turning point in my life. I decided to let go of things that held me back and look forward to forging new paths in life. Surely I’ll hesitate when I come to a difficult crossing, but instead of turning back to the safety of the old and familiar, I’m going to hike up my britches give it my all.
What are your thoughts on living life to its fullest? What’s holding you back from following your dreams? How can you make small steps to overcome those barriers and blaze your own trail? Please share. We all have a lot to learn form one another.
Congrats Jeff!!! The world awaits – what to do!?!?! Hope you’re well, miss you!
thanks, juan! miss you, too! please come visit!
Already having a similar life experience as the one you’re facing now under my belt, I find I am flooded with memories of how my own journey began. First came the daydreams of creating a totally different life in a new country. Then came the idea of making those dreams a reality. Then, the “voice of reason” whispered in my ear (a.k.a. fear of the unknown, self-doubt and a double-shot of complacency), accompanied by the incredulous gasps of every living soul I knew, upon hearing that I was considering leaving (or rather, forsaking and abandoning) “the greatest country on earth!”
After all of the lists, what-ifs, how on earths and why nots were aired in the light of day, life stepped in (as it so often does) and, ready or not, began to set things in motion, caring little about my carefully planned timeline of events. From my first idle daydream of a new life, to finding myself on a plane to Norway (and all my worldly possessions in a container on a cargo-ship), only 11 months had passed! It was too late for second thoughts, changing my mind, un-quitting my safe job or resting any longer on my fat “laurels.” My life was changing, my adventure was unfolding before my eyes and I was equal parts excited beyond belief and terrified to dry-heaves. New country, new culture, new language, new government, new weather, new EVERYTHING – at the end of the first year I had a brief moment where I thought, “My vacation is about to come to an end and I have to pack and go home soon.” I didn’t like the feeling, no matter how challenging that first year and its adjustments were for this Kentucky gal. That’s when I knew… that I WAS home.
Fast-forward 8 more years: Today, I sit (and sometimes skip, run and jump for joy) immersed in the culmination of those original “wouldn’t it be cool if…” daydreams. No regrets, no wishes to change a single moment of the process, nothing but gratitude and yes, a little bit of pride. It’s one thing to dream it, but it’s quite another thing to be brave enough to let your dreams come true!
A quote from (of all things) “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” comes to mind. “Don’t dream it, be it.” So thrilled for you as you near the fork in the road, Jules. I cannot wait to hear more as your new life adventure unfolds!
beave– I have to tell you that seeing you in Norway, being our “guide for a day” and letting us in on how wonderful the ex-pat life is but the bug even farther up my a$$! thanks for sharing yoru journey w/ readers- hopefully it will encourage others (and continue to encourage us) to take the leap! Beautifully stated. Yay, YOU!!!! xoxo
How exciting!
Here’s my favourite question to ask myself: “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” It’s pretty hard to come up with something HORRIBLE.
When Bob and I pulled the plug and moved to Lac Le Jeune 11 years ago we knew it was a risk, and that quite a few things needed to fall into place to make it work. You know, like how can we build a dream house without money…stuff like that. 🙂 The thing is, if we had waited until we felt completely safe about the next steps we’d still be hosing down the driveway in our cul de sac. Never look back!
And remember, we can fit an entire family in our basement suite!
that’s a good thing, syllie, b/c we are still renting the house in vancouver for a few weeks, then will likely pay you a visit! (don’t worry- we know our “guest” limits!)
it’s true about if you wait for everything to fall into place you’ll never go forward. thanks!
Still thinking cycling trip?
yes- still want to do a bike/paddle/whatever trip w/ you. either on front or back end of trip. keep me posted on your thoughts!
This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime. First I would suggest reading “Ask and It is Given” So that you KNOW that exactly what you want will be there when you want or need it. Then I would say make your dreamboard together. Not a mine vs his…………if you are going to travel this life with THIS man you need to be on the same dream page. This is really SO exciting. So freeing , so amazing and fun! Enjoy not having anything to do except to decide which way to turn your car wheels. Make the day about fun. Make your dominant intent to experience JOY……….and that is all and the rest will fall into place. It is not ALWAYS about money. It is about fun.
Debbie–yes, i see your point on the dreamboard, since it is OUR adventure, it should be OUR dreams! i’ll get right on that! thanks!!!!!!!
You already know my thoughts on quitting the ‘ job ‘ and choosing the path you really want. I’m looking forward to reading more about how things unfold and where you consider if a move to another country comes up on your dreamboards.
Elizabeth-after meeting you in the Alps, then finding out you were an Atlantan neighbor turned ex-pat, your journey (and all it’s gifts) has been another inspiration!
Jules: I am so proud of you!!!! You are so very inspiring. I know you and HK and the fur babies will be happy wherever you end up. Love from me & Tripp
Awesome! I, too, quit my job about 6 months ago and the ride has been exhilarating. Enjoy life to the max because we only get to live it TODAY. I can’t wait to read about what your future holds. 😀
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