My 2014 Challenge
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Forget resolutions, give me a challenge. There’s nothing I love more than a challenge – one that makes me slightly uneasy making me question whether I’m capable, but at the same time it excites me. It’s what I call living on the edge – the edge of butterflies and throwing up. Many of my life choices and travels were born out of the draw of a challenge. Quitting my corporate career, volunteering in India, living in Vietnam and riding a motorbike, doing the Mongol Rally, and living life as a nomad. When I take on those challenges, it’s hard, emotional, confusing, but ultimately I come out of it feeling like a super hero. However even this super hero still needs a break sometimes – a time to slow down and just do things that are easy, things that I can just coast at in order to catch my breath. Even Superman turned into Clark Kent.
For the last few years I feel like I’ve been catching my breath living like Clark Kent. I have taken a break from pushing myself and finding challenges in my life. I’ve settled into doing the things I always do. I needed that for a bit, but now I think it’s gone on too long. When I take a ‘challenge break’ I feel like it gives me a lot of time to turn mortal again and start worrying about everything. Yes – that’s right – I worry. I worry about how I will survive, how I will grow older, how I will stay healthy, how I will find love, how I will make a living, and the list goes on. Over the past couple of years, all of that worry has left me a shell of who I want to be. Don’t get me wrong – there have been plenty of great moments and experiences – but little by little I sort of feel a piece of my super hero mentality has been chipping away. Ok – maybe more than a piece chipping off – some days I feel like I’ve spiraled into this person I hardly recognize at times. I have always prided myself on my drive, confidence, independence, and resolve – but for some reason over the last two years it’s been taking a vacation and has left me spinning in indecision. The end result of all of this has put me in a weird place – a place of self-doubt, a place of feeling stuck. Not only in travel and work, but also in my personal relationships.
It’s time I put on the super hero outfit again – 2014 I’m going back to challenging myself on a variety of levels – relationships, career, and travel. And all of this challenge is going to be accompanied by honesty. Being honest and open here on Ottworld is a challenge in itself because it leaves you exposed. Exposed is not a word that I like – but I’m ready to take it on in 2014.
Table of Contents
Relationship Challenge
Sure – it’s glamorous to travel all over, but there’s always another side. And if I’m going to be totally honest – then the solo-ness of my life the last couple of years has really been hard. Most days I absolutely LOVE being solo, never checking in with anyone – yet over the last few years that has slowly been changing. It’s really easy to slip into your own little world when you have no one around. I feel isolated living in this nomadic travel world that few people understand. That isolation makes me forget that I need to share things – or sometimes I just don’t have the energy to try to tell people what’s been happening in my life – it’s just easier to let them think that everything is great in this wonderful world of being a travel writer – so it all stays bottled up. I think I’ve been spending too much time lately in my own little solo world.
Each year I continue this unconventional life – I find that more old pre-travel friendships slip away. It’s mostly my fault – I haven’t had time to keep up with everyone as I am always also meeting new people when I’m in motion. Plus, sometimes I think I live such an unconventional life that no one can relate to me any longer – nor me to them. And it’s not just old friendships that suffer, I realized the other day that it’s been 11 years since I’ve been in a romantic committed relationship/had a boyfriend. Granted – 7 years of moving around hasn’t helped that – but the fact is that I’ve always been someone who is out of relationships more than I’m in them. Lately I’ve been feeling the ‘L’ word – lonely. I’ve had to learn to make a point to really work at checking in more with my few close friends I still have – make little skype dates so I don’t go too stir crazy in my own mind and so I can still relate to them. All relationships take work – friends, lovers, and family.
My relationship challenge in 2014 is to put myself out there and ask for help when I need it and I feel like I’m spiraling out of control. As for my friends – this means leaning on them more, talking to them more frequently, staying connected. Then there’s the romantic relationships – a real can of worms. How do you meet men and date when you don’t stay put very long and you lead an unconventional life. Anyone have any answers out there? I’m willing to take risks and try.
Career Challenge
As much as I love travel blogging and writing, many days I feel like we are just a bunch of out of work actors waiting tables waiting for our big break. Everyone focused on what the other person is doing and why they got the part instead of yourself. I hate the thought of being an out of work actor waiting tables, but I can’t shake the feeling. Like most actors – we don’t really make much money. Sure – a few bloggers are successful and financially sound – however most travel blogs are less successful than what you’d like to think. I think our readers want to believe it’s possible to get paid to travel the world. And yes – it is possible but most people I know have a variety of things that keep them afloat. I wonder if blogging is just a blip on the social media timeline – can it and will blogging continue? I’m not sure what the future holds for travel blogging, but I do know that you can’t sit on your past ‘success’ for long as things in the online world of business change rapidly.
For the last year I’ve been letting the work opportunities define my path instead of defining my own path. I just keep doing what I’ve always done. I’ve talked about wanting/needing to find more revenue streams and wanting to do more freelance writing and get more published in print – but I haven’t done anything to move myself in that direction. I recently saw this quote in my FB feed:
“Not to decide is to decide. Letting something go until it ‘decides itself’ is Life by Default. You don’t want to live that way. So choose. Choose right now. Stop worrying about what you can ‘lose’ or how you can ‘win’ and just follow your joy. Where does your joy say you should go?” — Neale Donald Walsch
Life by default…kill me. I don’t ever want to live life by default. Time to make some changes.
I’ve decided to try to take on more freelancing work and provide content (writing and photography) to other businesses or destinations that need it. I also want to work creating some products to provide multiple income streams. I have not done this in the past because honestly it’s not as fun as writing for myself on my little blog – and of course there is a big part of me that is afraid of the rejection and editorial process. Fuck it. Reject away. I like a challenge. It may just make me a better writer and business person in the end.
On another career front – I took a little break last year from Meet Plan Go and the career break movement that was started in 2010. I needed a break – because it was just too hard to juggle everything. And with the departure of my business partner, I was lost. I didn’t want to run it alone, the fun of Meet Plan Go for me was that it was this cool group project that I was working on. However after a year away from it – I’m ready to give it new life again and refocus on career breaks and Meet Plan Go. It is the one thing that makes me feel like I’m having an impact in this world – inspiring people to change their lives. I regularly get emails from people who tell me they attended our event and it inspired them to take the leap. Mission accomplished. Meet Plan Go doesn’t pay the bills – but it does make me burst with joy. Making an impact is a desire that is rooted deep within me. However in order to resurrect Meet Plan Go events, it means I need to take risks and spend some money – something which doesn’t come easily to me. Yet – I’m willing to take 2014 and throw some investment into MPG and see what happens. Is it easier, more profitable, more effective? I won’t know until I try.
Travel Challenge
When I started traveling I went to Africa, Vietnam, Laos, India, Nepal, and Lebanon. But lately I’ve passed up those grittier less developed places for comfort, ease, and social media and blogging work. I need to make a point to do grittier travel again. Grittier travel means traveling closer to the ground, meeting more locals, roughing it, and being independent. However, here’s the issue with being a travel blogger who loves to travel to less developed countries – these places are the places that have no idea what a blog or social media marketing/exposure really is or how to utilize them. I find it hard to travel as I normally do and partner with the visitor bureaus or travel companies of less developed countries. Getting to those countries and areas have taken a lower priority lately than other work that helps me earn a living. However I need to make a point to put these places on my travel schedule no matter what. It’s these places that make me happy. Travel to less developed countries is challenging for sure, but it’s the most rewarding by far. However doing this type of less supported travel makes my career goals of more freelance writing and content even more important to achieve.
I’d also like to get back to doing more charity work and volunteering – it’s been a number of years since I have focused on giving back. I am so lucky I get to see and experience the world, it’s time to do something for it again. I will most definitely be taking on the challenge of making the world a better place in 2014!
Honesty Challenge
Plain and simple – be more honest. Every year I blog I feel I make a larger gap between who I really am and who my online ‘personality’ is. I’m tired of it. It takes too much work to push down feeling and thoughts in order to create a persona that is business friendly all the time. So forget it – I need to find my authentic voice back – and it starts now.
All of these challenges mean taking on more risk, following my passions, and moving forward. I’ve dusted off my super hero uniform again, I’m ready to fly into these challenges in 2014. In fact, some are already in motion – you’ll be hearing all about them shortly. Some of my adventures this year will even include a teen superhero sidekick – the #NieceProject continues in 2014! I hope you’ll join me!
Happy New Year!
What challenges are you going to take on in 2014?
Hi Sherry,
I just wanted to send a message and let you know that I can completely relate to your post. I just recently started following your blog and have been deciding if I want to write a blog myself.
I, too, quit my job 3 months ago and hit the road with the intention of taking a year long travel sabbatical. I am traveling solo and love it most of the time, but also have my moments, especially today as I’m about to head to Copacabana Beach in Rio and stand amongst 2 million people for the New Year’s celebration. It sounds fabulous but I’ll be turning to a random stranger at midnight to wish them a happy new year. I’m still optimistic but wondering how that is going to feel. 🙂
Unfortunately, I don’t have romantic advice for you, as there are very few who live our lifestyle. And I completely understand losing yourself to your blog personality. This is my hesitation with starting one… are my family & friends ready to hear about the bad along with the good. I’m not sure they really know me. I applaud you for sharing. I already think you allow yourself to be more vulnerable than most, so try not to be hard on yourself.
I’m going to check your site again to find out about MPG – I forget exactly what the premise is but it sounds interesting. I”m looking for some challenges and volunteer opportunities myself and haven’t quite figured out how to balance those with my travel. The plan as I go model of my travel, along with writing and photography keeps me far busier than most realize.
I hope to bump into you on the road one day.
Happy New Year,
Katie
Katie – thanks for your reply and sharing your feelings. Posts like this are hard to write as I feel like I”m shattering the image of how great travel blogging and traveling the world is supposed to be. But I also know that the feelings and thoughts need to come out else I would be a mess. Plus – for me putting them out there for the world to see ensures that I will hold true on my challenges.
I was in Buenos Aires last year for NYE with strangers – but this year I chose to be in NYC with friends – I find that I have to mix it up else I got a bit nuts. I love traveling and I don’t want to stop – so ensuring that I get a mix of travel and ‘home’ is important. Rio sounds amazing for NYE – however I know the feeling of being there on your own. Just know that our lives are full of moments – and we never know how many moments we’ll have – so choose to enjoy them all! AND – I challenge you to turn to that stranger tonight and give them the warmest Happy New Year possible – and strike up a conversation that lasts longer. I bet you’ll meet some fun people! Thanks so much for following along!
Sherry,
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I’m the first to wish you the best for the new year on your blog!
DAD & MOM too
Sherry,
oops as I was typing Katie beat me to the punch.
DAD
Ha! You’re slow becuase of that sprained wrist!! Happy New year to you and mom too! Love you!
Wow. That took a lot of courage to put yourself out there and speak freely and I enjoyed every word. I wish you luck on your challenges and I look forward to reading about them.
Honesty is on my list, too! To live an authentic, honest life – blogging, in relationships, in career, all of it! Welcome 2014!
You’ve pretty much written everything I’ve been feeling and thinking going into this next year. After only 2.5 years on the road I feel like I’ve become stuck and just bounce around from place to place instead of pushing myself to try new things. I always say I’m just being my boring self in new locations. I want to get back on track in 2014 and push myself to do things I’ve always wanted to do. For instance I’ve always wanted to learn to surf and even though I spent some time this year in places where people surf a lot, I just didn’t go for it. I need to stop putting things on hold. And I need to figure out my career this year too, I’ve been content traveling on my savings account but that will run out some day and I need to get myself to be sufficient.
I wish the best to you in everything in the new year, and I look forward to seeing Meet Plan Go take back off – the event (and you) were a huge inspiration for me when I was starting to plan my trip.
And if you figure out the secret to finding a guy (one who wants to date, I mean…) Iet me know! 🙂
Val – good to know we aren’t alone huh?! Even in a world of motion we can get in a rut, lose confidence, and coast. It’s easy to do that. It’s hard to constantly be pushing yourself. Breaks are necessary – but mine lasted long enough for now. One thing I should tell you is that I have SO admired your honestly on your blog and your social media – I often read it and think – damn – I wish I could be like that. Bravo to you. Let’s keep pushing each other this year…sounds like we could both use it to stay on track. Happy New Year!
Sherry:
Fabulous post! It was just over a year ago that I stumbled upon MPG and OW – I was completely inspired by much of your writing – and the inspiration has turned to action – rented out my house, finished up work projects, prepared my family (as best I could) and now on January 17 I depart for Africa and Bali and beyond. I hope to be on the road for one year.
What you have done in your life has given me the words to describe what I CAN do in mine. Therefore, the honesty in this post is even more important – you bring up so many important elements and realities to the life taken. And they are the same thoughts and worries I have been experiencing in my own mind this past year. One reality to bear in mind, we can stay forever in one place and not find love, fracture relationships and struggle with career ideals. So, by putting into motion a very deep lust to see the world you have already done more than many and connected with others and places in a way many can just wonder about. I know this to be true after living 30 years in NYC – mostly happy years but still many a struggle with the aforementioned!
Setting the challenges really does set them in motion. I believe if you really want something and you do a little everyday towards that goal you will make it happen. You have done and you will again and I look forward to reading all about it here – with all the bumps along the way because part of why I enjoy your posts most are because they feel honest and you are kind of an “every woman” in your thoughts and feelings! Thank you and here’s to 2014 – bring it on!
Tamara
Tamara – Thank you. Your kind words actually brought me to tears. I get so excited when I hear that people are traveling and taking risks in their life – so to hear that MPG or OW has any little part of that impact makes me burst with pride. Especially now – because after 7 years I often wonder if anyone is even listening/reading any longer. I don’t have flashy videos or website or even great writing skills – but the one thing that I try harder than ever it to remain relatable to people who are struggling with this decision to make change in their life. I’m SO excited for you to be taking this leap in 2014 – a huge challenge no doubt – but you’ll come out the other end a stronger person and a renewed faith in the possibility of what your life can be. That seems to be a byproduct of taking a break for everyone. Best of luck and let me know how it goes! Happy New Year!
Thanks Sherry. I love the out of work actors reference and I think it’s true – I don’t think anyone is making a living out of pure travel blogging – it’s all a hodge podge of income opportunities that allow us to keep traveling. I have my own post planned next week to pull back the curtain a bit…I get the hesitancy and vulnerability but I, too, feel the need to be ‘out there’ a bit more and challenge myself to reach out more. Best of luck to you in 2014 and, with luck, perhaps we will see each other or have opportunity to work together. Cheers.
Keep pushing yourself Gillian! Nothing ever happens when we stand still! Yes – it would be great to run into each other again – it’s been too long.
Wow, Sherry – thank you so much for this honest, open blog post! I really needed a kick in the {pants}, and this was it!
“…some days I feel like I’ve spiraled into this person I hardly recognize at times. I have always prided myself on my drive, confidence, independence, and resolve – but for some reason over the last two years it’s been taking a vacation and has left me spinning in indecision.”
Thank you for putting what I’ve been feeling into words, and sharing ideas for tackling this issue.
Best wishes for a fabulous 2014!
Carmyn
Good luck on your own journey Carmyn! I’m cheering for you!
Not to decide is to decide. wow. How true is that, although I had never thought of it in those exact terms. I , too, understand the ” out of work actor” analogy. Good luck with your new ventures for 2014!
Thanks Rhonda! Happy New Year!
Your honesty is refreshing. It sounds like you have some great challenges ahead of you and I wish you the best. I plan to step out of my comfort zone this year as well. I may need your advice. I look forward to your blog posts in 2014. Happy New year!!
Thanks Darlene – let me know how I can help you get out of that comfort zone! I love doing that for people!
Great post Sherry! I wish I had relationship advice to give you. Staying in one spot for a length of time is helpful. 🙂 I’ve had moderate success with online dating, although the most recent woman I was dating I met at a wedding. 🙂 I find that even though I am somewhat stationary at the moment with a job (planning for a big escape the end of 2015), I really have trouble relating to people who are not as passionate as I am about travel, different cultures and outdoor adventures. The last woman I dated was actually intimidated by some of the backpacking trips and travel I have done! It was weird. I don’t feel like I’ve done anything special. I’ve just made travel and outdoor adventure a priority in my life. I do get lonely sometimes but I’d rather be lonely than in a bad relationship, so instead I am working on fostering the friendships I do have. I’m always open to a new relationship, but I’m not actively pursuing it at the moment.
I truly hope 2014 is a year where you can meet some of these challenges head on. Life is too short. Own it!
“I’d rather be lonely than in a bad relationship.” – thanks for reminding me of this fact – it is absolutely true! Thanks and congrats on your pending escape!
Sherry, loved your post! I do have a bit of relationship advice for you. If you are serious about finding someone compatible that would be interested in dating, try one of the online dating sites. Match.com is pretty darn successful…others too. So, get an account, fill out a profile, and see what happens! Nothing ventured, nothing gained….:)
Xxoo Lynn
Thanks Lynn! Yes – I have actually considered doing that when I’m in a city for more than 2 weeks at a time. It might be interesting to chronicle – can you imagine the type of people I’d meet?! The first half of the year I”m moving around quite a lot in 2013 – but the 2nd half I”m hoping to pick a couple of places and slow down – so that would be a good time to give that a go! I’ll keep you posted.
Love the “out of work actors waiting tables” reference as it is so true. Although I’m not waiting for the big break. I had a cover story on an inflight magazine recently and it paid $600. Travel writing and blogging is a difficult way to make a living; no sick pay, paid holidays, health care benefits or stability. On the flip side, I can usually travel when I want (working around kids and husband) and love what I do…most of the time.
Best wishes with your 2014 Challenge!
Thanks Nancy! Congrats on getting published! What airline magazine was it for? That’s the type of stuff I’d like to try to get into – but up until now I just haven’t had the confidence to do so – too scared of the rejection I guess. But hopefully that will change this year!
Those are all worthy goals Sherry. It’s courageous putting them out there on your blog. Makes you more responsible and more likely to actually do them as well. I can relate to the finding challenges and grittier portion of your desires. They do always seem to lead to the best experiences.
Closing in on 4 years since leaving my job and I’m still up in the air on career challenges. Plan to settle in Argentina for much of this year and do some English teaching. See how that goes and what other opportunities show up while I’m here.
Leaving my blog behind years ago has been mostly good. I love being able to do exactly what I want and not having to think about when I leave the internet behind. Still knowing that there were people out there following along with me was fun and would encourage me to try more new experiences. Plus it leads to new people and places to meet from the comments.
Maybe that’s how you can help your relationship. Create a bachlorette reality contest on your blog. You can have your loyal readers competing for you attention. Ok, I don’t really mean that, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be popular.
Anyway keep following your dreams, whatever they happen to be today or for this year.
Thanks so much Brian – it’s great to hear that you are still making it work on the road! And I remember when you left your blog behind – I was surprised at the time – but I certainly don’t blame you for doing it now! I do love, love, love writing and sharing my experiences though – that hasn’t changed – it has just turned into a lot of work.
I can’t believe you’ve been on the road now for 4 years – you are a great example of making it work in other ways other than blogging! Good luck on the ESL – I miss it some days. Are you in BA in Argentina? You are so close to Patagonia – I’m jealous.
Ottsworld Bachelorette…Oh lord – that may open up a can of worms…but I did say I was willing to try anything didn’t I?!
Happy New Year and hopefully we’ll run into each other again soon!
I’ve run in to too many people on the road that I expect it will happen again at some point. I’ve been in Mendoza for a bit but go to BA tonight. My sister and parents came to visit for Xmas and NY which was awesome. Think they all enjoyed Argentina as much as I have and that I hoped they would. The one down side is that I broke my camera this week. Majo downer! Im going to try to be responsible and look for work now but if it doesn’t happen in a month I’ll go to Patagonia.
The more I think about Ottsworld Bachlorette the more potential I see! Saludos!
good luck and happy new year!
Awesome New Years post! This really resonates with me and some of the things I have struggled with and want to change moving forward.
Thanks Stephanie! What’s one change you want to make? Sometimes it helps to say it aloud! 🙂
All of those things do take a lot of courage, more than I have, for sure. I wish you the very best with it all.
I stopped reading most travel blogs years ago. I felt like so many of them held hints of desperation, because they were all looking for ways to sustain their travel by blogging and it’s just so incredibly hard to do that.
Plus, there was very little interesting engagement in the comments, mostly what was basically cheerleading. I always felt like half of them at least were just hoping to pick up new followers. But the worst was on twitter. A whole procession of thank you tweets and retweets. I said then that it felt almost incestuous, everyone just patting each other on the back. And it made really boring reading.
No other niche had that kind of interaction and it was just really weird to witness. Yours is one of the very few blogs I even still have in a reader.
The most successful bloggers in any category are those who are genuine. Going back to your true voice will not only be a huge relief to you,it will open you up creatively. It takes too much energy to maintain a facade, and the facade will never be quite as interesting as the real thing.
But, most important, we readers care more when we get the real thing. Without even thinking about it, we have an instinctive reaction. My heart went out to you, reading this post. And I am in awe of you for publishing it.
I hope you won’t hold yourself to too strict a standard, tho. That’s a lot of stuff, and no one is perfect. Push yourself, sure, but cut yourself some slack, too. It’s all about getting back to doing what you love most and sharing it. The rest will come.Again, I wish you the very best, and look forward to reading more from you soon.
Rebecca – thanks for your kind comments – and for continuing to read my blog! Heck – I don’t even read my blog! Yes – there is definitely desperation that comes out when you are trying so hard to do what you love and make your own way – and try to support yourself. It’s certainly not easy. I work more now than I ever did and make about 1/10th of what I used to. Yet at the same time it’s 1000 times more rewarding. That’s the rub. It so hard to try to stay up on what other people are doing and yet try to make your own way. But – that’s the life of an entreprenuer – and as much as I wish it were easy – it’s not. But it’s times like this when I hear from people I’ve never heard from before that give me that energy to keep it up – so thank you for speaking up! I know I have pushed myself this year – and odds are I won’t accomplish it all – but at least I will start out trying. Even if I can accomplish a couple of these things I”ll be pretty happy! Happy New Year Rebecca!
I really like your challenges. You have great potential in your comments. I think every man and women have their own challenges of life. All the best for your new year travelling challenges.
This was so insightful and raw. Thank you for sharing this. Good luck with it all! I wish nothing but the best for you! Have a great 2014!
Thanks Mary! And thanks for always following along!
I think a good challenge would be to remain still for longer.
You asked the question “How do you meet men and date when you don’t stay put very long and you lead an unconventional life. Anyone have any answers out there?” My advice coming from personal experience and being a long-term traveler who met her man on the road … don’t plan so far in advance, be flexible and spontaneous.
It is obvious you are a big planner and often you know where you where you will be in 6 months (India Rickshaw Rally I just read). In my life and travels I have chosen not to plan, but to live in the present and allow for serendipity and spontaneity to forge my path. In my opinion, planning can really limit your options and let’s say you were to meet a totally awesome guy tomorrow I wonder if all your plans would hinder you the flexibility to stay put for a while or change course on a whim?
I met my Swiss boyfriend (I am American) in Australia unexpectedly. We are both spontaneous travelers and neither of us had any specific plans for our traveling futures which allowed us to spontaneously decide to stay put in WA for a few months and also granted us the flexibility to go wherever in the world we wanted together when we were ready … by the seat of my skirt and his pants 🙂
It is totally possible to meet someone on the road, it happens all the time, the question really is … can you surrender to the unknown, take a risk, and step of your preplanned path in the name of love? Good luck!
Sherry, loved your post!
Well, Sherry – I’ve also just celebrated 7 years of nomadic life, and I can really relate to everything you’ve written here. And although I may have had a little more action on the relationship/romance front, I’m also the casualty of a few failed relationships since I started traveling, so I don’t think I’ve got much to offer in terms of advice! It is difficult.
As for family and friends – ever since I almost died last year, I’ve realized that one of the most important things in my life – and something that helps me maintain some sort of contextual grounding as I continue to roam the world – is my family and friends. It’s too easy to lose touch, and I won’t let it happen. Thus, I’m in much more communication with the handful of people who have been – and will be – constants in my life….and I’m soooooo much happier for it.
I just have been reading your blog for a few months, but I am really enjoying it. I want to offer an opportunity if you want to go to Bali, I work with a charitable organization and you could come and work in the mountain village schools helping with english and other creative things. You may commit a month or 5 or a year. If you are interested just contact me and I will give you all the information. I have gone 1x a year for the last 5 years and help to get children’s tuition sponsored. I feel like the village has embraced me and they area little like family. (I also have a brother that travels the globe and lives light, he has a surfboard business. He also passes through Bali on a regular basis. He finds that his lifestyle is sometimes lonely in terms of a partner)
At any rate I appreciate your adventuring. I am a mom of 4 and have a wanderlust, but my life has definitely limited that. My youngest is a junior in high school now,so more freedom i s on the horizon. the last 2 years my husband and I have walked/biked 2 sections of the Camino Frances–so I plan to read on your accounts of that.
Live your challenges and Carry on !
Thanks Kat – sounds like an interesting opportunity. It’s been 7 years since I’ve been to Bali. I’m not sure of my travel schedule the 2nd half of the year – but will keep in in mind! I love doing work like that!
Hi sherry long time reader first time poster.
All I can say on the finding love part is. I felt the same way. Well you can also be in a relationship and be alone. I met someone in Dec. and it turned my life upside down. I found love and all that comes with it. Now I am not as free anymore and I also was not free enough when I met her. I can sum it up by “Be careful what you wish for.”
I love it when people comment for the first time – it’s always good to know people are out there still reading! Thanks for the words of wisdom. My thoughts and desires for a relationship ebb and flow all the time – which is probably why I never get anywhere with it! Congrats on your happiness and continue to make it work my friend!
I recently found your blog and have been reading and reading, so many amazing stories and adventures! I have not caught up to present day but I want you to know your blog is amazing and you have a special gift. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Hoping you are having a wonderful day, wherever you are!