Travel as a Trade-off
I’m sitting next to the sunny window at Marguerite Café in Chéticamp this afternoon, sipping my latte. Three French-speaking teens just left the table next to me- the only other one in the tiny cafe- after staring into their phones for several moments before breaking out into some song in English that I’ve (obviously) never heard.
Elder millennials unite!
Ryan and I spent part of the morning watching very strong people dressed in kilts throw very heavy things across what seemed to be a baseball diamond. The emcee, who was so like Guy Fieri in both bleached spiky hair and wisecracks, also participated in the throwing of the very heavy things.
I’d never been to a Highland Games before, and it was cool to see it- especially with the perfectly green mountains in the background.
I’m trying to set a bit of a scene, here.
We did these things today, we are surrounded by cultures that are not our own. We hiked yesterday and probably the day before (I should check my journal) and all of these things feed my soul.
And also, there is a trade off.
Margaree Highland Games
One of my close family members is in the ICU.
I don’t want to make this more dramatic than it needs to be. They are out of the woods, they are having normal conversations and normal vital signs and everything sounds like it is going to be fine. They might even be getting out of the hospital today.
And of course, I’m not there.
When deciding whether or not to travel full time, or even move away from your home or family of origin- there is the understanding that you are accepting a trade-off.
You are choosing to miss things- good and tough things, both- for the possibility of a life that fits who you are apart from them.
I wonder if the right choice is ever the easiest one?
A tree leaning out over Warren Lake that makes my heart flutter.
This applies to everything, doesn’t it? As Paula Pant says, “you can afford anything- but not everything. Every choice you make is a trade off.”
You can ‘afford’ to stay in a job or city or relationship that no longer fits you- and that is a daily, active, wake up in the morning choice.
You can decide with your inaction to put off investing in your retirement, or taking that big dream trip, or whatever it is that would really light your fire until “someday” rolls around.
But if you do, it necessarily means not having what could potentially be the job, living situation, relationship or dream vacation that fits you like a fuzzy pair of socks from Bombas.
(Ok guys listen- apart from every podcast I listen to, why did no one tell me about Bombas? They really are like walking on fluffy sheep clouds! They feel unjustly comfy. I’m angry that I own any other socks.)
If you are reading this post, please do take it as me being pushy.
The things you are choosing- please do so with eyes wide open. Choose them based on your values. Choose them according to what blows your skirt up.
But know also that even when you choose what is right for you- there are times when it will still feel really, really hard.
Like getting teary-eyed in a foreign café, hard.
That doesn’t mean it was the wrong choice. That doesn’t mean it was the wrong choice. That doesn’t mean it was the wrong choice.
My soul’s fairyland witchy forest, MacIntosh Brook Trail.
Ryan and I are watching a really dumb show right now- The Mentalist.
If you haven’t seen it, the mentalist is a cop-adjacent guy in California who is kinda psychic? I don’t know. He understands human psychology.
(Stick with me here.)
He does this thing when he’s questioning a suspect. He asks them a tough question and then very quickly, before they answer, he says, “Quick! What was the answer that just popped into your head?”
Our subconscious/intuition/higher self often gives us the answer before we are ready to accept it.
So here’s my question: what is the thing that you are choosing right now, actively and perhaps daily, that no longer fits you?
No need to comment below. No need to act. Sending love, health and potentially hard decision power your way.