This summer, a coworker and I were chatting while kayaking in the Burrard Inlet when I mentioned a former colleague had moved back from Europe and was now living on Salt Spring Island, picking up freelance work so she could work remotely. “I wish I could do something like that,” I said.
I recognized the look that flitted across her face before she said “Well, you could.”
I used to have that look. I used to say that to people when they said it about my decision to move to Mexico.
In the last couple years I’ve found myself saying things like “I always thought I’d do something like that again, moving to some other country” with a shrug, like it was too late.
People who know me at all know I like to travel. People who know me well know I moved to New Brunswick, Calgary, Mexico, and Vancouver for no other reason than the adventure of it. It’s what I do. I just haven’t done it for a while.
I always meant to put down roots in Vancouver after returning from Mexico. It’s the longest I’ve ever voluntarily lived somewhere. But it’s time for my repotting. Maybe past time. It was back in 2012, when I was working on the London Olympics, that I first got the birth certificates I’d need for a UK ancestry visa, which lets Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent who was born in the UK live and work there. Back then, I thought I’d want an escape after Steve’s imminent death, but I was wrong. I needed to not think about logistics, to not be away from my comfort zone. But recently I’ve been restless.
So I’ve given notice at my job. At the end of January I’ll head to South Korea to work on those Olympics, then finish up some things here at home and travel a bit. If all goes well I’ll be settling in the UK by June, trying my hand at more freelancing, less sitting in a cubicle, more European travel, shorter flights to do it.
I have plans to make that possible. I have layers of plans because some will work out and some won’t, and that’s part of the adventure.
The last time I felt like this, like I was working toward crafting another phase of life that excited me, my brother’s death derailed me. So I can’t shake the feeling that making these plans is an invitation for the universe to smite me. But I’m too rational to really believe that. Mostly.
As with my move to Vancouver I have no end game. I’ll settle somewhere until I don’t want to be settled there anymore. I’ll travel around the UK a bit but right now I’m thinking Edinburgh is where I’ll land, at least at first. By the end of the year, or decade, or some time after that, I may end up back in the Vancouver area, or I may end up somewhere else. There’s no need to plan that far in advance; there are too many variables.
I’ll sell my home. I’ll bring the cats. I’ll get rid of my stuff, except for a couple suitcases to take, and a bare minimum of sentimental and useful items I’ll store here until the future is clearer. There are a lot of logistics to work through but it’s not new; I’ve done this before. More than once.
There are always reasons not to take a leap like this. It’s going to be hard giving up the home I decorated to my taste and my taste alone. I’ll miss friends. I’ll miss the camaraderie of my workplace. I’ll be anxious about getting work and a place to stay. What if something disastrous happens to derail me before I even start? What if I can’t find enough clients, and can’t find a job? What if I can’t understand the Scottish accent? What if I can and they’re saying nasty things about me? What if I’m run over by a car because they drive on the wrong side of the road? What if a post-Brexit UK devolves into a Black Mirror-esque dystopia?
I’ve reached the point where I’d rather face these temporary what ifs about taking a risk than a lifetime of “what if I’d been brave enough to do what I really wanted to do?” I’m ready. Let’s do this, universe.
Follow your travel dreams, Diane! Imagine all the places, people and cuisines that await you in the UK. Wonder how long it will take for the local dialects to creep into your lingo? Cheerio
Bravo! I admire your style. I hope we can stay in touch. Talk about enjoying the journey.
I think it’s fantastic!!! I’m jealous!!!! I would have done something like this except for having a husband whom I love and couldn’t abandon!!! LOL! I loved everything about Scotland! I drove on the wrong side of the road, understood the accents (mostly) and visited a lot of pubs!!!! I admire you and your spirit of adventure!!! Keep us posted!!!!! Love you❤️❤️❤️❤️
One of my favorite poems is The Station (short excerpt):
“Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all (i.e., when i get the promotion the house, the car…). The journey is the joy. … It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.”
It takes more courage to try and fail (or succeed!) than to never try at all. I admire you. Shocking, i know 😉
PS It’s a given they’ll be saying nasty things. Sheesh!
Hi Diane,
I’ve been having a lovely Saturday morning reading your blog. Love it!
Aww thank you! (Also I don’t know why but your comment ended up in spam which is why it took me so long to see it … darn WordPress.)