I'm headed on vacation and pondering the big questions: What's my life's purpose? Will I do like the locals and stop worrying about my body? Where is the best mountain biking?
"At 49, I’m not sure I’m supposed to still be questioning what I’m doing with my life, but I am."
This resonated with me.
At 52 (almost 53), I now believe we all have different 'lives' to live at different ages and stages. I was single until I was 35, had kids in my late 30s and early 40s, and then left my full-time job to stay at home with my kids. My life at 42 would have been unrecognizable to my 32-year-old-self. And, at 52, I am 'starting over' as an immigrant in a new country. Not something I had planned on doing at all in my 40s. I think, many times, what we were doing in our earlier lives no longer fits the person we become. So we need to figure out a new plan.
I also think it is good to model for your children that your life is not 'finished' once you are older and you just go sit in a rocking chair and dole out advice to young people who are still living life. We can all have goals and dreams and fun things that we want at all stages of life.
I love this and so happy to hear I’m not the only one. I really only feel like I’m starting to come into the person I was meant to be, and it’s incredibly liberating.
This sounds like a wonderful break, Kristi, with a good mix of planned activities and rest time. For me, that’s most important in a holiday. I need time to just be.
My husband and I are heading to the south of France for a month in mid July. It will be a mix of holiday and a little working from there but we can’t wait to experience living in a different culture for a few weeks.
I’m sure your break will help to give you some time to ponder on those big questions and guide you in the direction that feels best for you.
A month in France sounds absolutely lovely. I feel like a longer stay is the way to truly immerse yourself in another way of life. I’m just getting a taste, but I will savor it nonetheless!
You are going to have so much fun! I was able to visit Italy 7 years ago, and my life changed a LOT the following year. Like you, I like to use those moments to come up for air and take a look around.
You mentioned Roma - what other cities will you be able to see? If you're not already planning to take a train up to Florence, please let me be the first to recommend doing so! I loved Florence so much.
Besides Rome, we are really not going to visit a lot of the big cities this time around, although we’ll get a bit of time in Naples and Rome. I wish we could, but we’ve found a slower pace in just a few destinations is ideal for the kids.
I hear Florence is amazing. Do you think your trip to Italy was part of the reason for your life changes?
I'm not sure if it was Italy specifically, but for me, getting out of the country for a little over a week was really important. I'm reminded that I'm first and foremost a human living on this planet. and that my identity need not be bound by geography. I was also able to put a lot of things into perspective - I think that's my favorite aspect of this type of travel. You just see what's really important!
"At 49, I’m not sure I’m supposed to still be questioning what I’m doing with my life, but I am." I'm 38, and I'm just now getting to the point where I'm starting to wonder if I'm too old for things. Honestly, it is so freeing for me when folks in their 40s, 50s and beyond share that all of the questions and exploration and uncertainty and wonder of life keeps going! It makes me feel like there is so much to look forward to.
"At 49, I’m not sure I’m supposed to still be questioning what I’m doing with my life, but I am."
This resonated with me.
At 52 (almost 53), I now believe we all have different 'lives' to live at different ages and stages. I was single until I was 35, had kids in my late 30s and early 40s, and then left my full-time job to stay at home with my kids. My life at 42 would have been unrecognizable to my 32-year-old-self. And, at 52, I am 'starting over' as an immigrant in a new country. Not something I had planned on doing at all in my 40s. I think, many times, what we were doing in our earlier lives no longer fits the person we become. So we need to figure out a new plan.
I also think it is good to model for your children that your life is not 'finished' once you are older and you just go sit in a rocking chair and dole out advice to young people who are still living life. We can all have goals and dreams and fun things that we want at all stages of life.
I love this and so happy to hear I’m not the only one. I really only feel like I’m starting to come into the person I was meant to be, and it’s incredibly liberating.
Congratulations on your new life as an immigrant!
This sounds like a wonderful break, Kristi, with a good mix of planned activities and rest time. For me, that’s most important in a holiday. I need time to just be.
My husband and I are heading to the south of France for a month in mid July. It will be a mix of holiday and a little working from there but we can’t wait to experience living in a different culture for a few weeks.
I’m sure your break will help to give you some time to ponder on those big questions and guide you in the direction that feels best for you.
Buona fortuna!
A month in France sounds absolutely lovely. I feel like a longer stay is the way to truly immerse yourself in another way of life. I’m just getting a taste, but I will savor it nonetheless!
Sounds like a wonderful trip planned Kristi. I haven’t been too Italy but I’ve heard the Amalfi coast is stunning. And Greece too.
Only slightly envious of you over here 🙈☺️
Sounds like a vacation is in order, Linn!
I’ve got some plans but nothing until August. Hoping for good summer weather so we can do local mini breaks over the coming weeks and months.
You are going to have so much fun! I was able to visit Italy 7 years ago, and my life changed a LOT the following year. Like you, I like to use those moments to come up for air and take a look around.
You mentioned Roma - what other cities will you be able to see? If you're not already planning to take a train up to Florence, please let me be the first to recommend doing so! I loved Florence so much.
Besides Rome, we are really not going to visit a lot of the big cities this time around, although we’ll get a bit of time in Naples and Rome. I wish we could, but we’ve found a slower pace in just a few destinations is ideal for the kids.
I hear Florence is amazing. Do you think your trip to Italy was part of the reason for your life changes?
I'm not sure if it was Italy specifically, but for me, getting out of the country for a little over a week was really important. I'm reminded that I'm first and foremost a human living on this planet. and that my identity need not be bound by geography. I was also able to put a lot of things into perspective - I think that's my favorite aspect of this type of travel. You just see what's really important!
"At 49, I’m not sure I’m supposed to still be questioning what I’m doing with my life, but I am." I'm 38, and I'm just now getting to the point where I'm starting to wonder if I'm too old for things. Honestly, it is so freeing for me when folks in their 40s, 50s and beyond share that all of the questions and exploration and uncertainty and wonder of life keeps going! It makes me feel like there is so much to look forward to.