It’s funny, like I said above, I’ve done plenty of things that may seem risky to others, like moving somewhere where I don’t know anyone or working for myself.
But all of these things were such strong, intuitive calls that they didn’t feel like risks—they felt like callings. And obviously, privilege plays a huge role in what constitutes risk (as a member of the dead dad club, inheritance has given me a financial fallback).
So as I reflect on it, I think what comes to mind for me is all the risks I’ve taken with my heart. All the times when I chose solitude—myself—over someone who couldn’t love me the way I wanted to be loved (even if I loved them). And all the times I still put myself out there, persevering through the ghosting, the knocks, and the heartbreaks, until I found love. None of that was easy…but it definitely paid off.
This was so good! I completely completely get it. When I was 18, I took off for a summer alone in Germany for language practice and didn’t think anything of it. Now, I’m in two minds about booking a week’s solo holiday!
I’m currently in the middle of going freelance, which is definitely definitely the biggest risk I’ve taken in a while, but even that, I wouldn’t have done without literally ALL of the planning and saving. I’m hoping it’s going to pay off though…
Aw thank you so much for the kind words, and for sharing your experience! I'm right there with you on working up to the solo holiday—it's been on my vision board for the last two years 🙃
And congrats on going freelance! Enjoy this new chapter :)
I quit my job at the end of last year and going freelance and taking a solo holiday were both “new years intentions” for me this year! I’d never been on a solo holiday before so was pretty terrified by the prospect, hence I wanted to do it - so many people do it without even thinking.
I’ve not been too proactive on the freelance front yet but it will happen, soon enough. Both feel like big risks to me but I know that taking risks is where growth comes in. Sadly I am also part of the dead dad club - and sometimes it makes you realise life is too short. Take those risks! ☺️
Couldn't agree more! Best of luck with your next steps—always happy to chat about freelancing, too. Community has been so important to my journey as a self-employed person :)
I have absolutely felt some hesitancy creep in! And it's almost like I don't recognize myself. I've also been the one that uproots her life in a second and never ever worries about a single bit. Because I know I'll figure it out. But then know that I am in a stable relationship with my husband and back in the seemingly right path in life (job, home, baby, marriage) I get more hesitant. I WANT to uproot my life again and move to a different country. And I know I will. But I am feeling a bit of anxiety that I have never felt before.
Thank you so much for sharing, Katharina. It's reassuring to know you feel similarly.
I think it's really interesting that you touched on being on that "stable" or "right" path. There's something here that resonates with me...I wonder if, as lovely as it is to have all of those things, we can get a bit too comfortable or complacent, and less familiar with taking risks.
OR (a completely different perspective!), is there something in there about stability feeling *un*familiar, and instinctively wanting to shake things up if they get too "boring"?
I'm speaking more personally/broadly here, as in your case it sounds like the urge to uproot is more of a conviction/calling—but I've been reflecting on how that dance between instinct and intuition is a big part of the work with risk.
Oof, yes—I really feel that “dance between instinct and intuition” you mentioned. That’s such a beautiful way to put it. I think for me, it's like... now that I’ve experienced stability, part of me almost feels guilty or irresponsible for wanting to walk away from it. Like, shouldn’t I just be grateful and stay put? But then there’s that other voice—that very old, familiar one—that keeps whispering, you’re not done adventuring yet. I love the idea that maybe it’s not just about getting too comfortable, but also about how unfamiliar comfort can be. That really gave me something to think about.
Hard relate to this! No problem moving country and starting a new job (especially when I was younger), but why do risks taken with the heart feel the scariest?!
It’s funny, like I said above, I’ve done plenty of things that may seem risky to others, like moving somewhere where I don’t know anyone or working for myself.
But all of these things were such strong, intuitive calls that they didn’t feel like risks—they felt like callings. And obviously, privilege plays a huge role in what constitutes risk (as a member of the dead dad club, inheritance has given me a financial fallback).
So as I reflect on it, I think what comes to mind for me is all the risks I’ve taken with my heart. All the times when I chose solitude—myself—over someone who couldn’t love me the way I wanted to be loved (even if I loved them). And all the times I still put myself out there, persevering through the ghosting, the knocks, and the heartbreaks, until I found love. None of that was easy…but it definitely paid off.
This was so good! I completely completely get it. When I was 18, I took off for a summer alone in Germany for language practice and didn’t think anything of it. Now, I’m in two minds about booking a week’s solo holiday!
I’m currently in the middle of going freelance, which is definitely definitely the biggest risk I’ve taken in a while, but even that, I wouldn’t have done without literally ALL of the planning and saving. I’m hoping it’s going to pay off though…
Thank you for this fab piece 💕
Aw thank you so much for the kind words, and for sharing your experience! I'm right there with you on working up to the solo holiday—it's been on my vision board for the last two years 🙃
And congrats on going freelance! Enjoy this new chapter :)
I quit my job at the end of last year and going freelance and taking a solo holiday were both “new years intentions” for me this year! I’d never been on a solo holiday before so was pretty terrified by the prospect, hence I wanted to do it - so many people do it without even thinking.
I’ve not been too proactive on the freelance front yet but it will happen, soon enough. Both feel like big risks to me but I know that taking risks is where growth comes in. Sadly I am also part of the dead dad club - and sometimes it makes you realise life is too short. Take those risks! ☺️
Couldn't agree more! Best of luck with your next steps—always happy to chat about freelancing, too. Community has been so important to my journey as a self-employed person :)
Thank you! 😊 I look forward to reading more of your posts
I have absolutely felt some hesitancy creep in! And it's almost like I don't recognize myself. I've also been the one that uproots her life in a second and never ever worries about a single bit. Because I know I'll figure it out. But then know that I am in a stable relationship with my husband and back in the seemingly right path in life (job, home, baby, marriage) I get more hesitant. I WANT to uproot my life again and move to a different country. And I know I will. But I am feeling a bit of anxiety that I have never felt before.
Thank you so much for sharing, Katharina. It's reassuring to know you feel similarly.
I think it's really interesting that you touched on being on that "stable" or "right" path. There's something here that resonates with me...I wonder if, as lovely as it is to have all of those things, we can get a bit too comfortable or complacent, and less familiar with taking risks.
OR (a completely different perspective!), is there something in there about stability feeling *un*familiar, and instinctively wanting to shake things up if they get too "boring"?
I'm speaking more personally/broadly here, as in your case it sounds like the urge to uproot is more of a conviction/calling—but I've been reflecting on how that dance between instinct and intuition is a big part of the work with risk.
Oof, yes—I really feel that “dance between instinct and intuition” you mentioned. That’s such a beautiful way to put it. I think for me, it's like... now that I’ve experienced stability, part of me almost feels guilty or irresponsible for wanting to walk away from it. Like, shouldn’t I just be grateful and stay put? But then there’s that other voice—that very old, familiar one—that keeps whispering, you’re not done adventuring yet. I love the idea that maybe it’s not just about getting too comfortable, but also about how unfamiliar comfort can be. That really gave me something to think about.
Hard relate to this! No problem moving country and starting a new job (especially when I was younger), but why do risks taken with the heart feel the scariest?!