The overwhelm of preparing to travel and write in Europe for a year comes in waves. When I take a pause from the practical tasks, anxiety drowns my sense of adventure and washes away my optimism that my plans will work out fine in the end.
Everywhere I look, there is uncertainty. Will my house be okay? Will I find a tenant who will respect my belongings, and pay the rent on time so I can pay my mortgage?
Will I be lonely, or bored—can a year of writing be its own reward? And who am I to think I can go gadding about without a paying job? I am in my seventh decade—surely I should be acting more responsibly by now.
Check out this story from Whole Stories Shortly on Substack to see photos from the beach.
Whole Stories Shortly is a free newsletter that arrives via the app or email every Sunday!
