Freelancing to Freedom

“We are always getting ready to live but never living.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oh Ralph, how wise you are. I love anticipation. Before a trip, for example, I spend hours looking forward to the excitement I know I’ll feel just before leaving even more than I look forward to the trip itself. I’ll probably always be this way when it comes to travelling, and I don’t intend to change, but recently, I’ve become more aware of just how much time I spend on a daily basis indulging in fantasies about the future.

And I know it’s not just me. In general, we as a society often talk about the next big milestone in our lives we’re thinking about or looking forward to. Meanwhile, we tend to put our lives in the present on hold, anticipating the next big thing. What’s next, what’s next, what’s next? No. What’s going on right now? How am I going to make the most of every minute of my life?

For a long time now, I’ve wanted to move to the mountains. I talk about it constantly, think about it constantly. But I always tell myself that this is something I should wait to do – something I should do when I’m older and want to “settle down.” I tell myself to anticipate as along as possible so I’ll have something to look forward to. So I push the dream aside and keep thinking “one day.” One day, all the pieces will magically fall into place and I’ll go.

Obviously, this is crap and I know it. After giving it some serious thought, I realized that fear of change is what’s held me back from taking steps in that direction. But after acknowledging this, after being fully honest with myself about my motivation, I also realized that while I want to live in the mountains, I’m not quite ready to give up life in the city. I haven’t been properly appreciating what I have right now – and it’s pretty awesome.

With that figured out, I intend to cherish my time in the city and take small steps towards moving within the next couple of years. I’ve given myself permission to enjoy where I’m at, and it’s pretty liberating.

So what are you missing out on right now? What’s holding you back from living the life you want?

Song of the Week: “Agent Zero” – Arkells

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93jQh5jwWPI

Namaste 

Rachel