A Potential Route

19/11/24

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. And if you can dream it, you can become it.

William Arthur Ward 

I’m not sure that’s entirely true, as there’s always factors beyond my control, however I like the sentiment and it does give me a little motivation boost; it’s always worth remembering to reach beyond the mundane. 

So, Mr Ward, I’m imagining 

I’ve decided I’m going to travel and I’m so fricking excited!!

I can go where I want, be who I am (once I actually work that out), experience things I’ve dreamed of for decades. There is nothing to stop me, except me. And money.

While staring somewhat vacantly out of my window at panoramic brick, I had a blinding flash realisation that there is a potential, perfectly legal, route for me to save enough money to quit work and fuck off from here, while still maintaining the house as a safe base.

I’m not going into details, primarily because there’s a lot of complexities to check out so I don’t have anything firm yet.  However, if ‘the route’ is open to me the way I believe it is, I think I can get enough saved by the end of 2026 to enable an extended period of travelling adventures. 

I can’t overstate how massive this is; I’ve never even taken a holiday alone in the UK, never mind been abroad by myself.  I’m not even particularly experienced travelling with a companion. In 56 years I’ve been outside British borders a grand total of six times. 

That’s quite pathetic.   

Despite having such limited prior travel experience, and lacking even basic knowledge of things like how airports work, I’m really excited about this. 

It’s so long since I felt unbridled excitement. I’m relishing the absence of the anxiety and fear that I’ve become accustomed to having as companions to any prospect of joy. 

Of course, in my time-honoured fashion, I’ve already started researching – there are some excellent resources.  Thank you, kind adventurers, for taking the time to share your expertise and joie de vivre.

As I said, I don’t have any set plans yet, just vague ideas and a growing list of places and experiences to consider including on the itinerary.  

I want to live, not just exist. I don’t want to join that group of age 50+ people who appear to be just marking time until death. 

Finally, I’ve got shape for the goal setting challenge Lena laid down for me back in February: 

• Short Term: Turn this house into my home.

• Medium: Move mind, body and finances from uncertainty into strength.

• Long: Get the fuck out of here and see the world.  This is not running away, it’s running to.

Altan made a very interesting observation when I was talking to him about this. He’s known me many years, and has listened to me talk about a lot of ideas and potential plans for the future. This is the first time I’ve talked about something that’s for me, and me alone.  Every single other idea or path I’ve considered has involved me being in some kind of service to others. 

I hadn’t noticed. 

It’s good to have friends who point things out to you. 

MUSIC OF THE DAY: The Nights – Avicii

JP