I wish I had the courage to...

[winnied]

Jun 6, 2015 19:20:59 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Jun 6, 2015 16:17:46 GMT -5 winnied said:

The logistics intimidate me. Where would we work? How does healthcare work for expats?  I guess those are the two greatest concerns. 

You find jobs just like you would in any new city. And you probably automatically get healthcare in both of those countries, although you can also always keep some version of US healthcare if you're just planning to go for a couple years. It's also not irresponsible to take children to other countries, if you'd rather do it later. I am not telling you to pick up and move, and visas could actually be complicated, but the excuses you've given are really no problem at all!

I am on the cusp of two potential business opportunities. I need to really think about and analyze them, it's not just that they're great and I lack courage, but if I decide either looks good then I'll definitely need to tell myself to be brave since they're both risky!

Thanks for your encouragement! I work in American politics so I'd have to just pursue a new career altogether (which isn't a problem!). H and I are currently watching HH International and hoping his career in mechanical engineering can take us somewhere. 

[sunshinedaydreams]

Jun 6, 2015 14:26:09 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Jun 6, 2015 10:59:48 GMT -5 sunshinedaydreams said:

Quit my job and travel for a year. The fear of "what if" keeps holding us back.

What if we can't find jobs again when we come back?
What if something happens to one of us and we don't have insurance?
What if something happens to our house while we're away?
What if...?

Im going to be the evil enabler!  

You can do this and it is easier than you think!

3. Pack up all your stuff and put it in storage.  Find a property management company and rent it out while you are gone.  The property management company can handle any issues that arise.  Or you can put all of you personal stuff in storage and rent it out as a vacation rental if you are in a desirable city.

Thanks for the encouragement!  I'm more on board with it at this point than my fiscally conservative H.  I think we'll eventually do it, it's just getting up the balls to go for it.  There's always going to be some excuse, it's just a matter of when we'll be at the point where both of us are comfortable enough to say fuck it and just do it. 

Your #3 point was totally our plan when we lived on the east coast.  Now we live in BFE mid-west where no one wants to be.  I'm pretty sure we're going to have to burn our house to the ground when we decide we're ready to leave.  lol

[alleinesein]

Jun 6, 2015 20:52:20 GMT -5 winnied said:

Jun 6, 2015 19:20:59 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

You find jobs just like you would in any new city. And you probably automatically get healthcare in both of those countries, although you can also always keep some version of US healthcare if you're just planning to go for a couple years. It's also not irresponsible to take children to other countries, if you'd rather do it later. I am not telling you to pick up and move, and visas could actually be complicated, but the excuses you've given are really no problem at all!

I am on the cusp of two potential business opportunities. I need to really think about and analyze them, it's not just that they're great and I lack courage, but if I decide either looks good then I'll definitely need to tell myself to be brave since they're both risky!

Thanks for your encouragement! I work in American politics so I'd have to just pursue a new career altogether (which isn't a problem!). H and I are currently watching HH International and hoping his career in mechanical engineering can take us somewhere. 

Does your H work with anything involving bridge building?  My old babysitter is married to a structural engineer who builds bridges.  They spent a year in Turkey and now they are in Chennai, India for 2 years.  There are definitely some opportunities to work abroad if you are in the right field of engineering.

[spidervain]

Jun 6, 2015 11:17:56 GMT -5 poundcake said:

...think I'm worth something.

You're one of my favorite people I've met in our group. You're the best mom to your kids. You are kind, funny, and my life would be missing something if I'd never "met" you. Love you!

-the one with too many kids in Iowa

[babsbunny]

I'd like to know more about why people haven't gotten tattoos they want. I got mine at 20 and promised myself that I would make enough money to remove it if I hated it. I don't hate it but admittly it's not the most amazing thing ever. Point being... It's not 100% permanent so just check some online reviews, grab a friend or family member, and go do it!

I wish I had the courage to quit Greys Anatomy without FOMO.

I wish I had the courage to be more blunt at work and tell a guy that I need him to do X right now and we can discuss Y all he wants after X is done. Problem is that I can't just brush aside his opinion.

[sillygoosegirl]

I wish I had the courage to take my baby wilderness backpacking/camping this summer. Also wish I had the PTO available for it.

I'm afraid by next summer she will be that much heavier and still won't be able to walk enough to make up for it, plus she won't be primarily breastfed anymore.

I missed the last 2 summers (too busy with work and then too weak from pregnancy), and my parents were showing me their photos today of their trip into the wilderness and I am so stinking envious.

[winnied]

Jun 6, 2015 22:12:46 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Jun 6, 2015 20:52:20 GMT -5 winnied said:

Thanks for your encouragement! I work in American politics so I'd have to just pursue a new career altogether (which isn't a problem!). H and I are currently watching HH International and hoping his career in mechanical engineering can take us somewhere. 

Does your H work with anything involving bridge building?  My old babysitter is married to a structural engineer who builds bridges.  They spent a year in Turkey and now they are in Chennai, India for 2 years.  There are definitely some opportunities to work abroad if you are in the right field of engineering.

He does not but thanks anyway! 

[v]

Jun 6, 2015 12:24:11 GMT -5 mskitkat said:

Walk over to my neighbor's house. Actually contact the people who invited us to a house party instead of assuming it was a courtesy invite. Believe people actually want to be my friend.

They would love for you to go!

[mswax]

Jun 7, 2015 0:09:47 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

I wish I had the courage to take my baby wilderness backpacking/camping this summer. Also wish I had the PTO available for it.

I'm afraid by next summer she will be that much heavier and still won't be able to walk enough to make up for it, plus she won't be primarily breastfed anymore.

I missed the last 2 summers (too busy with work and then too weak from pregnancy), and my parents were showing me their photos today of their trip into the wilderness and I am so stinking envious.

I don't do backpacking overnights with kids in diapers, but we've done a lot of hiking with kids in the baby backpack (especially when we only had 1). DO it! They all love hiking now. Teach them young (said the mom who will be carrying her 34 lb. almost 2-year-old on her back later today)!

[Deleted]

Quit my job and open my own historic preservation consulting form. And write Erik Larsen/ Timothy Egan style history books!

My goal for the next year is to set all of that up to happen (so scary!).

[idahome]

Start my resume/interview coaching business and quit my current job. I'd also really love to just move away for a year, but with my spouse and financial obligations that's just a pipe dream.

[orangeblossom]

Jun 7, 2015 18:10:39 GMT -5 idahome said:

Start my resume/interview coaching business and quit my current job. I'd also really love to just move away for a year, but with my spouse and financial obligations that's just a pipe dream.

Could you do your business on the side?  There are always people looking for resume/interview coaching.  I mean, you see it on here all of the time, so you know there are even more people out in the real world.

[idahome]

orangeblossom: I'm working on a plan to roll that out this fall. It makes sense to do it on the side and establish myself, but I sure do love the idea of not going into my current office on a daily basis.

[orangeblossom]

Jun 7, 2015 19:03:44 GMT -5 idahome said:

orangeblossom: I'm working on a plan to roll that out this fall. It makes sense to do it on the side and establish myself, but I sure do love the idea of not going into my current office on a daily basis.

Good luck, though I know you'll do great!

[seriously1]

Break the rules sometimes! I hate that I'm such a rule follower.

Initiate/Make more friendship connections

[WinterWine]

Start a business with H and leave our jobs. Hopefully 2015 will be the tar to get that rolling.

[krystee]

I wish I had the courage to network/meet more people/build relationships. I think I would LOVE a career as a real estate agent if I was more comfortable with networking to build a client base. Or I would use that skill to develop a communications firm. I would primarily focus on executive communications (media training business leaders and writing their speeches and articles). I have been in PR for 11 years now, but I have been with the same company and don't have a big network of contacts to make either of these a reality.

[sweetptater]

Quit my job and try something new. Or even try consulting for my current industry. DH and I make more than enough money, even without my paycheck, but the idea of not having "enough" is terrifying for me. I grew up living paycheck to paycheck. I'm so unhappy right now, but not having enough money and setting our early-retirement goals (mid-50s) back is paralyzing.

Sell our house and downsize.

[Deleted]

toriwc, that sounds so beautiful!!! One of my friends who has a few tattoos has an artist near her that will draw a "temporary" image in the place she wants the tattoo - I think it lasts around a week or so? Maybe you could see if any tattoo places near you offer that type of a service?

That type of tattoo, with such meaning, could be so special.

Where are you thinking of placing it?

[Deleted]

Nice choice on the placement!!!! toriwc update if you end up getting it. I am imagining the image and it "looks" so lovely.

[foodiemom]

Sell everything and move somewhere exotic with the kids for a year or so. I'm just way too practical and worry about schooling (I don't see myself as a home schooler even for a year) and then what we would do when we come back...I'd want my house back :-).

I suppose we could rent it out for a year, but truly I am too practical to take the plunge.

[yentl]

I will jump on board with either doing a long hike or a long bike ride. I lean toward the long bike ride because while I love hiking, I hate camping.

I also wish I had the courage to move abroad. So many times I've researched it and even gone so far as to apply for jobs. Just never took the leap. Either that, or taking an extended period of time to travel.

[genet313]

stand up to my MIL and tell her how I really feel.   About so many things, but the latest is:  No, it's NOT ok for you to be laying on my bed uninvited...  Extremely awkward.  

[winnied]

Jun 11, 2015 8:08:47 GMT -5 foodiemom said:

Sell everything and move somewhere exotic with the kids for a year or so. I'm just way too practical and worry about schooling (I don't see myself as a home schooler even for a year) and then what we would do when we come back...I'd want my house back :-).

I suppose we could rent it out for a year, but truly I am too practical to take the plunge.

Do it! 

[sillygoosegirl]

Jun 11, 2015 8:31:11 GMT -5 yentl said:

I will jump on board with either doing a long hike or a long bike ride. I lean toward the long bike ride because while I love hiking, I hate camping.

I also wish I had the courage to move abroad. So many times I've researched it and even gone so far as to apply for jobs. Just never took the leap. Either that, or taking an extended period of time to travel.

What about hut-to-hut hiking in the Alps, or something like the Cotswalds Way in England?

[yentl]

Jun 12, 2015 8:06:49 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

Jun 11, 2015 8:31:11 GMT -5 yentl said:

I will jump on board with either doing a long hike or a long bike ride. I lean toward the long bike ride because while I love hiking, I hate camping.

I also wish I had the courage to move abroad. So many times I've researched it and even gone so far as to apply for jobs. Just never took the leap. Either that, or taking an extended period of time to travel.

What about hut-to-hut hiking in the Alps, or something like the Cotswalds Way in England?

I am now researching this like crazy. I had no idea this was a thing. I love this idea!