Tell us about something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail (and tell us why you haven’t tried it yet).
My next medium term goal is to spend six months living in St John’s Newfoundland—Canada’s 10th province. I plan spend my days writing my second and traveling to explore the surrounding unique parts of Canada. My husband and I visited the city for 8 glorious days last November. During my stay I decided I would love to live there and become more intimate the city, its people and its British history. As an Australian who never studied history, I knew nothing about this side of British history and found it fascinating.
St John’s is a welcoming city and whilst there we participated in their screeching-in ceremony so I am already an honorary Newfoundlander—see post here. I would love to live through the changes in scenery and dramatic weather and how life adapts to what nature provides. I would also like to understand the differences between living on the Atlantic rather than Pacific Ocean.
Interestingly, last weekend I began exploring my dream and realised it is doable. A month’s rent in St John’s is equal to a weeks in Sydney—approximately $800. I can stay for 182 days without a visa and this can be extended during my stay if I wish. However, before any of this becomes a reality I must publish my first book. This will allow me to be in a situation to either be able to leave work or take 6 months leave and focus on my writing in a foreign country. At present I am unsure of the type of book I want to write when I am living in St John’s—I’m thinking novel but time will tell. As much as I would like it to be—this dream cannot be rushed—but one day I will make it happen in time to see the floating icebergs.
The Narrows – the entrance to St John’s Harbour
I’m impressed with how far you’ve gone in determining whether you can make your dream come true. Most of us just dream of something, but then assume we could never actually do it and therefore don’t even begin to pursue it. Kudos to you! And good luck with getting that first book published. If you keep trying, you’ll succeed.
Thanks.It will happen probably some time this year with Balboa Press. I just need to finish my final editing.
Good luck in your pursuits. I love the fact that you know what you are going for…. so many people float by like that iceberg you are waiting for… with the best parts of life left underwater and never experienced! Go for it!!
I believe you’ve got to be in it to win it.
I like the uncertainty of the goal. My partner and I are making a change and everyone keeps asking us about our plans. These are rather ill-defined, and so are hard to explain. We found ourselves in complicated justifications to ease THEIR fears of the unknown. We have a vision, but want to allow for the unexpected surprise of learning. Good luck with the writing. It sounds a fabulous place to set up camp for 6 months.
Thanks it is. I think goals need to be flexible to allow for the best ideas to be taken into consideration.