Public Service Announcement: Torre DeRoche wrote an awesome book. It launched earlier this month. Well, back up. I can't actually speak to the specific degree of awesomeness with any authority because I haven't read it yet...but seriously, watch this:
I mean, come on.
Love with a Chance of Drowning. This is so my thing. I plan to read it as quickly as I can get my hands on it. So should you (details below).
Torre is enlisting bloggers to spread the word by drafting stories of their own Fearful Adventure(s). There are only three parameters for said posts: 1) It inspires you; 2) It scares you; 3) On some level, big or small, it will change your world.
Will. That's the operative word for me. I've experienced many an adventure in my lifetime, but it's the WILL change your world that triggered me. This implies my fearful adventure has yet to take place.
Folks, it's
Denmark. Denmark is my WILL. That's my Fearful Adventure.
Clarification: Denmark itself? Not scary.
Quite lovely, as a matter of fact. Traveling isn't scary for me, either. Travel inspires and excites me. Travel also changes my world every time I venture out. I do it a lot, in fact, like, really a lot.
Moving to Denmark, as in for a substantial amount of time? Scares the shit out of me. But here's the thing, kids, it also inspires me endlessly. Moving to Denmark is my fearful adventure.
I have countless Evernote labels and snippets and sites and screen grabs and articles and gah! So much research and so much inspiration. Denmark is home. Sometimes, you just know. In an effort to focus my intention and energy, I've even made Denmark part of my
2013 Happiness Project. I've also been
researching my Danish lineage, starting with
my grandpa Otto who came to the states from Alslev when he was 23. A major bucket list goal for me is to retrace my family's steps, to find the churches, farms, roads, skies, and communities that cared for generation after generation.
With all the research, my travel savvy, the focused intention...why does moving to Denmark scare me so much? I'm an intelligent, accomplished professional and this really shouldn't be my Achilles. I travel alone constantly, both for work and for myself. Book a week in Hawai'i because I need a break from technology? Done. Four days in Ottawa because the leaves are pretty in the fall? Sure. I'm not one to need an entourage. So...what's up, Self? The answer to the question actually struck me as I watched Torre's book trailer. If I found myself in her position, I'm 87% sure I would've had little to no hesitation. Seriously. I'd totally do it. Ocean, sharks, hot guy, sailing in a scary little boat, whatever dude, I'm in. So why can't I move to Denmark?
Well, one major difference between Torre's situation and mine: Someone with whom to share the adventure and to love it and you and all the ups and downs and troubleshooting that comes with it. A partner in crime. Because - and shit's about to get real up in here - I'm stuck on thinking I can't possibly move to Denmark alone. Perhaps my fearful adventure is to become an expat and radically change my world...for me and by me. Period.
That could end up being my most fearless adventure of all.
love,
me
UPDATE:
Since writing this post,
I've created a Denmark Pinterest board to continue to inspire me. Cheers to bucket lists.
"Wow, what a book. Exciting. Dramatic. Honest. Torre DeRoche is an author to follow." Australian Associated Press
"… a story about conquering the fears that keep you from living your dreams." Nomadicmatt.com
"In her debut, DeRoche has penned such a beautiful, thrilling story you’ll have to remind yourself it’s not fiction." Courier Mail
