24 Comments
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Rachel Vogeleisen Photographer's avatar

Thank you for this. At 61 I am about to decide if I should ditch the secure job and embrace uncertainty and joyful living. I’m still hanging onto fear but I know what I do not want anymore. 😱

Jo Barnes's avatar

I believe Rachel that when faced with a difficult life decision, there’s never a wrong answer only a different outcome. You won’t make the ‘wrong choice’ by leaping, you’ll just create a different life experience & it’s amazing how when you do leap a net always seems to appear….

Rachel Vogeleisen Photographer's avatar

Thank you Jo its always about the fear to make the wrong decision. I’m so relieved to hear that.🙌😍

Ruth Urman's avatar

Hey Jo! Great informational piece!

Although I have rituals such as exercising in the mornings, eating vegetables with protein for breakfast and walking the dog, every day is different. Whether I walk a different route, whether I walk the same route backward, I always do my life and days a little bit different than the day before. It leads me to new acquaintances, new friendships and wonder in general.

I have thought about selling my house, however that might happen when I meet the right partner to travel with me. Once that happens, I most probably will never look back.

Jo Barnes's avatar

Love it Ruthie! ❤️

Ruth Urman's avatar

What is this newest bullshit? (I don't like it!...) In order to reply to certain people, the site asks me to subscribe, then has to VERIFY my email with a fucking (gawk!) code! This is NOT what I signed up for...this ridiculousness. Do you get that too?

Jo Barnes's avatar

Hi Ruthie, nope I haven’t seen that I’m afraid. Not sure what that’s about? 🙁

Ruth Urman's avatar

Yeah, that makes two of us...;(

nickels's avatar

Go it alone and meet people along the way! Do one small trip by yourself. Baby steps. You don’t need anyone although I understand the feeling to want that. I encourage you to take a small trip and see it’s not so bad. Also there are groups that travel. Join one until you feel comfortable on your own. You just might meet someone that way!

Jo Barnes's avatar

Love that! ❤️

Ruth Urman's avatar

Thank you, Jo. You’re a great inspiration for others!

Lisa's avatar

Love your writing Jo - it provides clarity and written with your experiences to provide a view of new possibilities; new directions. Nicely said! "Courage and creativity and not rigid itineraries". Love it, thank you.

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks so much Lisa! ❤️

Michelle Hopkins's avatar

I love this post. I'm doing this and so many people judge me for moving around. No home of my own. The places I've lived, the people, cultures & new experiences have made me who I am. You're so right... stability comes from within.

Caroline & Davina's avatar

You've done it again Mrs!

A fab piece - so much in it that is relatable.

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Caroline!

Quinn O'Riley's avatar

Jo, I got so much out of this. I do tend to follow rules and like routines - it makes things more predictable, which is another way of saying more in control and safe (often connected to fear of the unknown). But interestingly, I never thought about how being more adaptive can free you from the anxiety of "the unknown" and my number one value is freedom. You've given me some things to think about.

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Quinn, I’m so glad it’s given you some good for thought. 😁🙏

Ash Baker's avatar

“Life isn’t meant to be lived on autopilot”

Beautiful article. I’ve always challenged societal norms the way you describe but I’m still waiting for my “break free” date because I’m a planner and afraid to fail. Not succumbing to living on autopilot is what keeps me traveling now and moving toward my goal of retiring long before traditional retirement age.

+1 subscriber. Happy to have found you

Jo Barnes's avatar

Great to meet you Ash! Sounds to me like you’ve already ‘broken free’ mentally & that’s 90% of the battle. 😁❤️

MIchael Tscheu's avatar

New rules for death…

There are thousands of after life stories, just as there are thousands of creations stories.

Absent truth, human beings are story tellers. Always wanting to fill the void of uncertainty… seeking comfort. If you want the comfort of an after life story… make one up.

The Mystery holds many things.

Michael Tscheu