Every year, the space between Christmas, New Year’s, and my birthday carries a familiar heaviness, raising questions about leaving, belonging, and the paths we choose.
My birthday is January 27th - and I’ve always felt it’s either too close to the holidays or too far. I do always feel the pressure of the New Year, though - you know, a new year and a new birth year - what can I do differently this year? I always feel like I have to start anew - especially on my birthday.
Carol, This was one of your best written newsletters. AI won't be able to replace you. I sometime wonder if we, that move around so much, are just gypsies at heart? As soon as I left Portugal I was planning on where I was going next. Xoxo to you and Paul.
Amen! It's so easy to get caught up in everything that is going on around us. What's more difficult is to step aside and take the broader perspective of life. Experiencing life outside of our bubble or comfort zone usually helps improve our perspective when we are exposed to differences in cultures and people. Our journey abroad has certainly allowed us to breathe and enjoy life to the fullest. Thank you for sharing.
Nicely put. I think that we who have come to Portugal all have our own reasons, baggage, whatever, and it's enlightening to hear and think about those thoughts. As one who has moved around pretty much my whole life, and one who goes quiet in the winter, I can really relate and appreciate what you wrote. Obrigado, eu. Fica bem.
This is just beautiful. There is something about that liminal space between the holidays and the real start of the new year. A time for reflection but also a time perhaps to quiet your soul.
My birthday is January 27th - and I’ve always felt it’s either too close to the holidays or too far. I do always feel the pressure of the New Year, though - you know, a new year and a new birth year - what can I do differently this year? I always feel like I have to start anew - especially on my birthday.
Carol, This was one of your best written newsletters. AI won't be able to replace you. I sometime wonder if we, that move around so much, are just gypsies at heart? As soon as I left Portugal I was planning on where I was going next. Xoxo to you and Paul.
Amen! It's so easy to get caught up in everything that is going on around us. What's more difficult is to step aside and take the broader perspective of life. Experiencing life outside of our bubble or comfort zone usually helps improve our perspective when we are exposed to differences in cultures and people. Our journey abroad has certainly allowed us to breathe and enjoy life to the fullest. Thank you for sharing.
Nicely put. I think that we who have come to Portugal all have our own reasons, baggage, whatever, and it's enlightening to hear and think about those thoughts. As one who has moved around pretty much my whole life, and one who goes quiet in the winter, I can really relate and appreciate what you wrote. Obrigado, eu. Fica bem.
This is just beautiful. There is something about that liminal space between the holidays and the real start of the new year. A time for reflection but also a time perhaps to quiet your soul.
Beautifully written. Perfectly described. Completely understood. ❤️