There are two kinds of people. I say this a lot, as I really think there are either/or decisions that make a person. There are the people who jump in the water and those who enter one limb at a time. I’m the former who wished she was the latter. What fascinates me about travel is how freeing it is. You can fret about the logistics, worry from one moment to the next, or just take advantage of the situation. For me, it is in a city where I’m completely unknown that I can do things differently, where I can figuratively test the waters.
Here’s a literal example of testing the waters. I was on a boat, a schooner to be specific, in the open ocean. The ocean typically unnerves me, it is so vast and powerful and more than anything, it is mysterious. I don’t necessarily have a phobia of the sea, but I get nervous swimming in a lake for god’s sake. The issue isn’t drowning. I’m actually a strong swimmer. The issue is the unknown combined with my imagination. But here I was, on a boat in the ocean, knowing that I had a decision to make. I had three options, I could say, “Oh, I’ll just stay on the boat,” slowly descend down the ladder until my body adjusted to the temperature, or just go for it. If I wanted to be the type of person who went all in, then this was my chance. I’m typically a planner who needs all of the details before I make a choice. But this wasn’t the time nor place for logistics, which I find applies to more than adrenaline junkie jumps.
Sometimes you have to make a decision without an in-depth write-up that includes pros & cons. In this particular instance, I knew I had to jump. Just like I know I need to commit to learning Portuguese. If I continue to make, plainly put, half-ass attempts, it will never happen. Just like if I had chosen to inch down the ladder. I would have put one foot in and scrambled out because it was too much. Sometimes, you just have to commit. It doesn’t always need to be a public show. It can start with a promise to yourself. “I am going to do this.” Leave no room for excuses. I am going to learn Portuguese.
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