Today marks 50 days until we leave. I find that the closer we get to taking off the more my mind seems to focus on the life we have ahead of us. However, in addition to the excitement comes a healthy dose of fear. Instead of trying to articulate my trepidation and concerns with text, I thought it would be fun change of pace to start offering more of my insights in short videos. So, here is my first attempt to give you more of an idea of what is keeping me up at night:
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About Warren
Warren, very good first video blog. It’s hard to do without coming across as a complete fake, but you came across naturally and (quite) relaxed (I’m sure the wine helped). I found what you said very interesting. As someone who has taken time out at a couple of junctures in my career I remember well my biggest fear - which was the same as yours - “what happens if I come back and nothing has really changed?”. I know several people who have taken a year out, travelled the world, blown through a lot of savings, had a great time, but then when they came home, they carried on as they did before, and nothing had really changed for them. Yes, they had a lot of photos, had some adventures, and while they were on break their lives were very different, but when they got back it was really business as usual. That’s something I would really want to avoid. I guess it all depends on how you want things to change though.
Hey Tony,
Thank you for the words of encouragement for my 1st video. After several bumbling attempts to convey my thoughts in a coherent manner I am delighted it seems to have made sense.
It is great to know that I am not alone in worrying about this. I plan to keep this thought in my head and will focus on how I want to change as we take off. Of course, if that fails I can look at my new tattoo (getting my 1st this weekend) which is designed to help remind me of my goal.
Thank you for sharing and joining in on the discussion.
Can’t wait to see what tattoo you get!
After having a life altering situation of my own, all I can say is enjoy the people you let in your life and how you spend your time. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Just a little reminder, no butterflies or unicorns for your first tatt. I would shy away from a tribal also. Youth sometimes can make bad choices.
Take care of my big sis also.
Damn, I had an amazing design with a butterfly sitting on a unicorn that has a tribal design branded on it’s side. You are really messing with my plans here.
Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you with the design. Betsy has vetted it with your concerns in mind.
I will take care of your sister, but know that she will be taking care of me just as much. She is the love of my life and I am lucky to get the opportunity to be with her.
Keep your mind clear and your heart open - and all the goodness you desire and deserve will be there - the writing will develop - just like a good workout routine. (Remember our little 1/2 marthoner didn’t start out running 13.1 miles immediately). The spontanaity??? Well, my sense is that as you transition into this new life for yourself - your sense of time will expand and open you to this side of yourself.
I am inspired now to just start writing and improve over time. Your point is perfect and I am going to start my days with 30 minutes of writing now in order to get the routine established. Nice thought!
I’m excited you guys are almost ready to leave! I can tell you from experience it’s a completely life altering experience and one you will never, ever regret. Life is far too short to wake up with regrets.. I saw a quote recently “In 50 years do you want to look back and say “yep, I had the guts”? Go for it, enjoy, and we all can’t wait to follow along!
Rhonda, thank you for the insights and thoughts. We are certainly walking into this with the goal of embracing the full experience and not regretting any decision. I know there will be challenges, but we are ready to share the good and the bad with you all.
You may know about this site from Chris G.’s site, but just in case you don’t, you may enjoy some of the stories on http://fearlessstories.com/
Embrace your fears, they make you human :-).
Thank you so much for the suggestion. This site looks wonderful and I will be spending a lot of time reading stories here.
Ah, my brother from another mother…so relate to the fear about PLANNING “what will I do??” I struggle with spontaneity, slowing down, all those scary things! I’m excited to see where this takes you…
My sister from a another mister. We would kill each other on a trip like this, but we would sure as hell each have a plan for how it would happen!
Great video, Warren. And I think you have all the tools and foundation necessary to be a brilliant writer. Just continue to write from your heart and the best advice I ever got (which I often have to work on myself) is use ALL your senses when writing, not just what you see!
Accept that it will be an effort to unwind for a while. That, in order to appreciate the moment, you may have to keep kicking yourself under the table and saying, “Shut up! Stop thinking, stop spinning, just look at that flower, or smell that crisp air!” or what have you. I constantly have to keep disciplining myself to do this. Just this morning, I was walking my dog and my mind started spinning with my to-do list. I forced myself to focus on Eddie, and the grass, and the sun glinting off the water and consciously take a few deep breaths. It worked.
It may seem dictatorial but all habits need work and discipline to adopt before they become second-nature. Practice does make perfect. So “practice” recognizing when you are drifting or spinning or winding yourself up and, in advance, strategize what you will say or do to yourself to snap yourself back to the present. Will you say a certain word, take 3 deep breaths, rub a favorite stone or talisman, have Betsy give you a good slap? Do whatever works for you!
A little pedantic and methodical for learning how to be “in the moment”? Yes, maybe, but sometimes us active Type A’s need a regimen for how to snap ourselves OUT of our regimen. The result is still the same wonderful thing!
Maria, this is wonderful advice (short of Betsy slapping me of course). I love the idea of giving myself something to remind me to slow down. I will work on that before we leave.
Once we get on the road I can report on how I am doing with employing your suggestions.
Hi Warren
Great video, I think you expressed your thoughts really really well and clearly. Personally I think if you didn’t have some fears regarding such a life changing challenge you would not be human! So embrace the fears, enjoy the challenge and count those days down with passion and enthusiasm, and you’ll be fine!
Will you be sharing your tattoo experience too?
Judy, if you all are interested I would love to share my tattoo experience. It will be my first and the design is meant to remind me of why I am going on this trip and the importance to continue exploring…both the world and myself.
Hi Warren
I would definitely love for you to share it with us (a la Miss Betsy :)) so feel free!
Hi Warren,
I enjoyed your video blog. I remember experiencing some of the same fears, but by acknowledging them - you’re already on the road to overcoming them. We’re currently struggling with our return. We changed on our trip, but gradually settled into our old lifestyle upon our return. Admittedly, we feel a little lost. We haven’t yet figured out how to mesh the two.
What a fantastic feeling of freedom you’re going to have. My response, having lived abroad for long periods of time, is that you’ll most definitely change. Judy’s right- you settle back into a lifestyle that feels comfortable to you in your home culture, but you’ll have had so many experiences that make you either very uncomfortable with some choices or just slightly uncomfortable with things like consumerism and arrogance. Often, the things we learn don’t surface until much much later after our return.