16 Comments
User's avatar
Jen Leo's avatar

Good stuff! Got any pics of Brazil?

Pauline Sargisson's avatar

Amazing, inspiring post AGAIN Jo - when doubt creeps in that going travelling for 7 months is the ‘right thing to do’ (for other people in our lives, not us) your posts boost my conviction again - yes its right for MY life. Thanks 🙏🏻

Mar's avatar

Beautiful message Jo! Such a heartfelt and inspiring post. Hope you have a wonderful travel!💗

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Mar! ❤️

Benthall Slow Travel's avatar

Jo — this captures that exact hinge moment so honestly. That space where the dream stops being abstract and suddenly has weight, logistics, goodbyes, knees, daughters, fear… all of it. Of course 3am brain shows up then. That feels like part of the initiation, not a flaw in the plan.

I also love how clearly you name that fear doesn’t mean stop — it means pay attention, then decide anyway. And that confidence arrives after movement, not before. So many people wait for excitement as proof they’re ready, when steadiness is usually the real signal.

Wishing you the soft landing you already know is coming — warm air, unfamiliar sounds, and that moment when your nervous system remembers why you chose this in the first place.

Boots on the ground changes everything.

— Kelly

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Kelly! ❤️

Kat - Fifty & Free's avatar

Go Jo! Great post! You’re doing it and inspiring all of us along the way!

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Kat! 😁

Pamela Marshall's avatar

I'm terrified of how fast my Substack is growing right now. I've gone from it being a fun thing that I hoped would grow over time ( and I would grow with it) to a big responsibility that I wasn't quite expecting yet. I know.I'll be fine, but by gosh, I'm rattled right now. 😬😳🤯

Azeline Trifle's avatar

I totally relate!!

Caroline & Davina's avatar

Yep, I'm prepared to be terrified later this year, so thanks for the warning 😜

Just think - you have, ahem, 50-ish years experience to call upon when/if things go a little awry and that's a lot. I shall have to remember this myself.

Have fun and I wonder if Rio knows what its in for - Jo and Natalie at Carnival....

Barry J McDonald's avatar

Well said. - Too many of us see fear as a 'Stop' sign, when it's just simply stepping into the unknown. - When we've never been on a new road before, the alarm bells go off, but that doesn't mean you can't go down it.

Edna's avatar

What a beautiful reminder. Fear doesn't need to stop us.

Patrick Schaber's avatar

Great post, Jo! Thanks for writing that. That quote from Matt Damon is awesome!

Jo Barnes's avatar

Thanks Patrick! One of my fave quotes :)

Kari Roetman's avatar

Enjoy!