As an air force brat, change was constant and continuous. We moved around every few years, and I got to experience a change of scenery from my bedroom window, and a revolving door of schools and friends. The one constant in my life (besides my parents) was my older brother.
 |
| Me and my Brother |
I had the fear of missing out, before FOMO was even a thing.
I abhorred the mundane. I wanted excitement. I wanted new. I wanted that feeling of trepidation you get from venturing into the unknown.
As I approached adulthood, I could have embraced security. Put down roots. Wallowed in familiarity.
Instead, I chose the alternative.
Quotes to Live By
I've been carrying a laminated quote card around with me for over forty years... when I read it, I thought that Germaine Greer was looking into my soul.
Security is when everything is settled, when nothing can happen to you; security is the denial of life. Germaine Greer
I've never read anything else by her—but those 18 words have been powerful enough to propel me towards the life I knew I wanted. She made it ok for me to embrace who I wanted to be.
I've carried that quote card through the multitude of changes in my life. I've relocated to different countries, started new jobs, and I've lost count of the number of apartments and houses I've called home.
Sometimes I forget about this quote, but then I'll find it tucked into the inside pocket of my passport holder, and it brings a wry smile to my face. It's a reminder that my transitory lifestyle fits me like a glove and I wouldn't have it any other way.
On The Move ... Again
Covid temporarily put a halt to our travel plans, but armed with a vaccine and facemark, I'm ready to embrace more change. Earlier this year we sold our house in Turkey, relocated to Los Angeles, and now we're in the process of applying for Portuguese residency.
New life—here I come.
What inspirational quotes do you live by?
About Jay Artale
Jay Artale abandoned her corporate career to become a digital nomad and full-time writer. She’s an avid blogger, podcaster, and nonfiction author helping travel writers and travel bloggers achieve their self-publishing goals. She shares tips, advice, and inspiration to writers with an independent spirit at her website Birds of a Feather Press, and documents her travels and artistic endeavours at her blog Roving Jay. Follow her on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter.
5 comments:
What draws you to Portugal, Jay? My very best friend and her husband plan on moving there for a couple of years. Exact plans are a bit up in the air due to Covid. Are you in the UK or LA now?
Very cool, Jay! As an Army brat, I can relate. In my adult life, I'm settled in Alaska. But I still get to travel and see new things on a regular basis. That combination of security and novelty works for me.
Jay - it is so funny how we react to things in our childhood. My father was in the diplomatic core and we moved to many places as a child. When I entered ninth grade, my dad decided no more moving and stayed based in Washington, D.C. I think I reacted a bit differently. I did love the travel and new adventures, but I also loved settling in to one place and making lifetime friends - the people I met in high school are still my best friends. And I realized how much I missed having friends that I might have made in earlier years. Many I knew for one or two years, I still think about and wonder what ever happened to them. I have to admit, I was a bit jealous of those who had long-time friends. Even my cousins, who I am now for the first time getting close to (at the age of 70) when I barely knew them as children. I find now, more than ever, I love the security of staying put. Although, one of my fond memories of 6th grade was visiting Italy, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. And I do wish I remembered more about Turkey and Greece when I was much younger. I do remember vividly my several years in Taipei, Taiwan (grade 4 - 6.) Best to you and can't wait to hear of your latest adventure once you move.
Jay, You found your niche as a blogger and travel writer!!! Congrats on being able to move again at last.
One of my favorite quotes is “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” – Mark Twain
Jay, how fortunate you are to have found a way of life you love and a partner to share it with. I loved this part of the quote: "security is the denial of life". That says so much because there is always some insecurity in life.
Earlier in my life I could have embraced a nomadic life. However, at this time of life my body isn't as responsive to constant change and my husband is even less so. We've both committed to various responsibilities to families that keep us tied to a location and, of course, we've also kept pets which need care if we are gone for longer than a couple of days.
On occasion I do imagine traveling for a month or two, but I suspect what I imagine that would be like and the reality of making family care arrangements, pet arrangements, and the cost would make it impossible. Maybe later or maybe I'll simply vicariously through people like you who post blogs and pictures.
Post a Comment