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6 Steps to Live Your Dream

June 13, 2016 Leave a Comment

I’ve developed 6 Steps to Live Your Dream because a friend and I were recently discussing how fear can choke out your hopes. Dreams only become reality when you mix in a bit of practicality. And there is always fear.

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Is there something you want to do but you’re too afraid? Your list of worries and what could happen is just getting longer? The “what ifs” haunt your sleep? Yeah, me too.

Fear is normal. Fear is sometimes even healthy. Fear helps us to be cautious and weigh the outcomes of an action. Fear is a type of inner boundary.

But is fear keeping you from potentially making your most cherished hopes reality?

When fear's got you like, let's hide. — When fear’s got you like, let’s hide.

Step 1. Name your dream.

When I lived in Austria, I wanted to visit other countries. I was scared, though, because I’ve heard the stories of young women traveling alone. It’s a real and sometimes crippling fear.

Is your dream illegal? If not, what’s keeping you from pursuing it? If it’s fear, why? What’s practical about that fear? What can you do today to start preparing to make your dream into a reality?

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Step 2. Plan your dream.

I decided that I wanted to travel despite my fears so I wrote a short list of countries I wanted to visit. Then, I started to research safety for single women.

How can you plan your dream? Would writing a list help make the steps to your dream more manageable? Should you write reminders in your planner or online calendar to keep you accountable?

Step 3. Invest in your dream.

Once I chose my first travel destination (Paris!), I purchased my transportation tickets and accommodation (I love airbnb). I knew that if I didn’t set the dates in stone by putting down the money that I wouldn’t go. I’d procrastinate, and allow fear to tie me up.

Where can you put your money so you follow through on your own dream? Does that mean booking an appointment somewhere? Or setting aside time for your dream?

Step 4. Live your dream.

When I arrived in Paris, fear and exhilaration kept me breathless. I need to admit that I went to my airbnb flat and took a nap because I was so overwhelmed and my courage had cost so much energy. But when I woke up, I was still in Paris. And it was time to explore.

6 Steps to Live Your Dream — My beautiful Parisian airbnb flat.

What can you do to accept yourself as you live your dream? Is there a moment where you need to be kind to yourself or should you push yourself harder? What will help you be brave?

Step 5. Structure your dream.

I knew that while in Paris that I had to see the Eiffel Tower and I wanted to eat one of those adorable sandwich cookies. But I also didn’t want to rush from attraction to museum and back again. Once again, I prioritized.

What will you regret if you don’t make it a part of your dream? What will help to reach your expectations for your trip or your dream? How can you plan your time and resources so you do what you truly want?

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Step 6. Learn from your dream.

When I returned to my Austrian home from Paris, I realized that Paris was not as scary as my fears told me. I also suddenly knew that I was capable and able to care for myself on my own in a foreign country. Not everyone was out to get me. Most were just living their lives as I lived mine. I share more in depth about Paris in Awakening in Paris.

What did you learn from making your dream a reality? Did you learn something about who you are? Did you learn what you won’t do next time? What did you learn about fear?

Yes, it can be so hard to make dreams into a reality (also depends on the type of dream), but don’t ever allow your fear to hold you back from something like traveling or whatever else is on your mind.

My biggest regrets are the moments where fear overpowered courage.

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Welcome to Buena Vista, Colorado

June 9, 2016 Leave a Comment

Welcome to Buena Vista, Colorado!

This is the space where I allowed my soul to catch up with my body (aka got over jetlag). After thirteen months in Europe, I wanted a sanctuary for my first landing in the USA. Buena Vista, Colorado, offered such beauty.

[Tweet “Buena Vista, Colorado, is the best place for the soul to catch up with body #jetlag”]

Mountains, trails, food, views, and an eccentric movie collection.

If you have the option, I suggest you rent a cabin or small house a little bit outside of the town of Buena Vista. The little space that my friend found for us had a breath-taking mountain view out the window.

We also creeped on a herd of goats from our window one afternoon, and other guests wrote in the guestbook about seeing bears and hummingbirds. I kept hoping, but goats were our only visitors.

Buena Vista offered wonderful food options and a quaint little town to explore. My friend and I frequented The Buena Vista Roastery daily. I adore chai lattes, and theirs was the best chai latte I’ve ever had. I opted for the spice chai, but they had other options as well.

Thank you, Buena Vista Roastery, for ruining all other chais for me.

We also ate at the House Rock Kitchen. I loved the vibe of the place, not to mention the delicious food and presentation. My rule of thumb when it comes to food it to order something I wouldn’t make at home or that I’ve never heard of. Choosing a favorite is not against the rules, though!

The Mushroom burger with pumpkin pesto aioli

Colorado and Buena Vista definitely has a culture all its own. Never have I ever seen so much hiking and athletic wear on a general population. I was sorely aware of my signature green sweater and converse shoes.

But, you don’t need fancy clothes to enjoy a hike.

And the view. I couldn’t have been happier for such a clear day.

The Buena Vista mountains being all glorious

But you know, these Colorado-ians (hmmm?), they are serious about their outdoors. I spotted this guy outside of The Buena Vista Roastery, and he had me giggling into my hand.

And this sign caught my attention, too. We found it to be true when it snowed hard one day, and my friend stepped up to the sidewalk and had snow cold-bless her head. She was fine by the way. Just wet.

If you visit Buena Vista, Colorado, you must hike, you must drink chai from The Buena Vista Roastery, and you must eat at the House Rock Kitchen.

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Truly, Colorado does crack up to be as amazing as people say.

P.S. Drink lots of water

How To Find A Partner-in-Crime

June 6, 2016 2 Comments

Partner-in-Crimes are imperative for extroverts (“all-night party!”) and introverts (“let’s read in the same room”) alike. We’re happier if we have someone to share life with (otherwise, I’m on social media sharing about my “amazing solo breakfast” and hoping for some comments).

[Tweet “Partner-in-Crimes are imperative for extroverts (“all-night party!”) and introverts (“let’s read in the same room”) alike.”]

I’m writing this because I’m the newbie in town again and maybe a bit like the prodigal friend returned, it’s hard to know where I fit. It’s starting over again.

But you know, the fun part is discovering new friends.

How To Find A Partner-in-Crime

Plug into the activities you enjoy

Go ahead. Roll those eyes. You knew that one. Of course you did, but if you’re looking for a Partner-in-Crime and you haven’t found a few yet, then you must not be plugging in. Swap that Grumpy Cat face for a Joy face.

Social Media

Admit to it. You follow a gazillion people on Instagram (or whichever is your favorite social media), and there are even a few who are in your area. Why don’t you suggest meeting up for coffee at their favorite place? Or if they’re a gym rat, see if they’ll work out with you. Be bold!

A church community

Not into religion? Such a shame. Churches offer a space to meet people in the community who are usually passionate about serving others, and sometimes they have potlucks (hello, food). Even if you’re not so sure about Jesus, this can be a great place to meet people.

How To Find A Partner-in-Crime — Perhaps somewhere a bit bigger and more modern?

Volunteer

A lot of people have asked me how I find places to volunteer (How to Volunteer by WikiHow). It’s simple. I look for organizations that have mission statements and hands-on purposes that I can stand behind. You can either call, email, or sign up online to volunteer at most places. I think volunteers are the creme-de-la-creme because they are actively caring for their world and people.

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Make plans

One of my biggest struggles is getting out of the house (these sweatpants are just so cozy). The best thing I can do is make a plan or an appointment, which I must keep. Even if you just end up at a doughnut shop, you could find yourself in conversation with a fellow foodie (be friendly, smile, ask questions).

Invite people to join in your plans

So you and doughnut foodie are having a great convo, maybe he or she might be willing to meet up with you to check out a restaurant later in the week. You don’t know if you don’t ask. Sure, it could be weird (and if it is, just walk away) or it could be your new restaurant buddy (no more solo dining for you).

Seven Tips for Making Good Conversation with a Stranger

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Weed out the weirdos

Let your weird show. These potential PICs will either match your weird or will run away. If they run, their loss (obviously). I have a few ice-breaker questions that will either cause laughter or major squirmage. Or talk about poop. Yes, my etiquette is so off.

Charm the crotchety

The stand-off ones. Or the clique leaders. The key is two-fold: be persistent and ask lots of open-ended questions that start them talking about themselves (who doesn’t enjoy talking about their lives?). It’s like a game (walking the line between politely curious and nosy).

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Step into a friend group already in place

It’s that organic shift of knowing one friend of the group to knowing your one friend’s entire group of friends. Think Rachel in FRIENDS in the pilot episode. She knows Monica and then becomes part of the FRIENDS through her one friend (well, and Ross). It’s totally okay to invest in one friend and worm your adorable way into their group.

P.S. It is totally okay to have a PIC for volunteer activities, a PIC for movies, a PIC for restaurants, a PIC for working out. I mean, why not? This is just friendship.

Do you have any tips for finding a Partner-in-Crime? Quick, comment below, because I need all the help I can get!