Ohhh let me tell you I feel this. I also didn’t follow a traditional path in any way shape or form and travelled and moved A LOT in my 20s. I’m grateful for where I’m at now, but agreed it’s not without loss and grief. Every choice or decision to do something is also a choice to not do something else and we have to live with that. I feel as women our choices are particularly tough and come with all kinds of ticking clocks and societal pressure. I think it means we need to be extra kind to ourselves and supportive of eachother. I do believe there is a grand design for each of us and everything happens for a reason even if we don’t see it just yet. ❤️
Vicky, I’m so sorry it’s taken me a minute to reply. I’ve been moving through a lot internally and just needed time to process. But I do not exaggerate when I say your comment struck me deeply and made me feel less alone in all of this. I felt so seen by your words — especially how you named that every choice is also a sacrifice. It reminds me of the book, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - not sure if you've heard of it but it explores this theme. And yes, the ticking clocks and invisible expectations we carry as women can make everything feel so much heavier. Thank you for reminding me to be gentler with myself, and for holding space for the both/and of it all: the gratitude and the grief. It gives me peace to know we’re walking parallel paths. ❤️
You never have to apologise for taking time to reply! I'm in my "people dont have to be accessible all the time" era. haha but glad it struck you and agreed, it's nice to feel others walking a similar path. We got this! <3
Sydney—I did not run to the comments to refute what you said... but to say I FEEL YOU! All of it hit very, very, very hard!!! Thank you for putting it in words, and yes—the question of moving away from 'freedom from' to 'freedom for... what' is painful. But I think in the bigger picture we'll still be better off, after all the trails and tribulations, for having followed our own hearts. (And also to say that, on top of a non-traditional lifestyle, you have added the artistic lifestyle—which, to me, adds yet another layer of complexity and potential for feeling 'lost'.) Gorgeous post. And I hope you're taking from America what you want and leaving what you don't.
Teodora, I’m sorry it’s taken me some time to respond. I’ve honestly just been sitting with so much. Still, your words helped me feel less isolated in that. I've read your comment several times since you've posted it. Especially the line: "freedom from vs. freedom for..." That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to name. And yes, add the artistic life into the mix and it’s a whole other vortex of beauty, uncertainty, and disorientation. Thank you for seeing me in all the layers. So grateful.
Ohhh let me tell you I feel this. I also didn’t follow a traditional path in any way shape or form and travelled and moved A LOT in my 20s. I’m grateful for where I’m at now, but agreed it’s not without loss and grief. Every choice or decision to do something is also a choice to not do something else and we have to live with that. I feel as women our choices are particularly tough and come with all kinds of ticking clocks and societal pressure. I think it means we need to be extra kind to ourselves and supportive of eachother. I do believe there is a grand design for each of us and everything happens for a reason even if we don’t see it just yet. ❤️
Vicky, I’m so sorry it’s taken me a minute to reply. I’ve been moving through a lot internally and just needed time to process. But I do not exaggerate when I say your comment struck me deeply and made me feel less alone in all of this. I felt so seen by your words — especially how you named that every choice is also a sacrifice. It reminds me of the book, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - not sure if you've heard of it but it explores this theme. And yes, the ticking clocks and invisible expectations we carry as women can make everything feel so much heavier. Thank you for reminding me to be gentler with myself, and for holding space for the both/and of it all: the gratitude and the grief. It gives me peace to know we’re walking parallel paths. ❤️
You never have to apologise for taking time to reply! I'm in my "people dont have to be accessible all the time" era. haha but glad it struck you and agreed, it's nice to feel others walking a similar path. We got this! <3
Sydney—I did not run to the comments to refute what you said... but to say I FEEL YOU! All of it hit very, very, very hard!!! Thank you for putting it in words, and yes—the question of moving away from 'freedom from' to 'freedom for... what' is painful. But I think in the bigger picture we'll still be better off, after all the trails and tribulations, for having followed our own hearts. (And also to say that, on top of a non-traditional lifestyle, you have added the artistic lifestyle—which, to me, adds yet another layer of complexity and potential for feeling 'lost'.) Gorgeous post. And I hope you're taking from America what you want and leaving what you don't.
Teodora, I’m sorry it’s taken me some time to respond. I’ve honestly just been sitting with so much. Still, your words helped me feel less isolated in that. I've read your comment several times since you've posted it. Especially the line: "freedom from vs. freedom for..." That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to name. And yes, add the artistic life into the mix and it’s a whole other vortex of beauty, uncertainty, and disorientation. Thank you for seeing me in all the layers. So grateful.