My leap of faith was following a stirring and dream when I put my house on the market…sold all but what would fit in 2 storage pods and moved to Florence, Italy with my teenage daughter. My husband had died 7 years prior to that when our kids were 8 and 14. I had some tough years staying 2 steps ahead of a troubled teen son ( after that I could work for the FBI, the CIA and the KGB ) ) When my son was back on track and on his own it was time to move on with my life. I was dying a little bit everyday I stayed in the house in the suburbs..that chapter of my life was done and I was ready and HAD to make a change. I wasn’t running from my life…I was running TO a new life……so after a trip to Italy…and my daughter being on board..we did it! We didn’t know the language nor did we know anyone in Florence aside from a nice crew that worked at a leather shop. It felt right and it felt good…with no doors being slammed in our faces…we just DID IT. Never will we look back and say…”Gee remember when we ALMOST moved to Italy”…I encourage others that if it is on your heart….and the “stirring” remains…never give up on the dream..because one day it will come true.

It was December 2007, Jalan Tua Kong (a street in Singapore), outside a pub called Bernie’s. It was a balmy night, not as humid, I remember. It was windy. I got a phone call in the middle of a noisy dinner with high school friends, I answered it and spent the next 2 hours sitting by the road side talking and starting to dream of great things, digital things. It was also a night that changed the next 3 years of my life till now…

But to unromanticize it a little bit, the leap to move to Finland wasn’t done at one leap. it was several leaps, the initial ones were failed attempts cos there were too many other thoughts in my head. I wanted to jump, then got cold feet. You see, I was entirely comfortable with my life at home. Being surrounded by friends, family and a job I loved – life was good. The thought of uprooting my life never crossed my mind. Till that phone call. Then I decided to take the plunge, make the leap, said yes. The job was worth it. But those pesky little voices – they really can eat away at you. And so they did to me. But eventually I did get on that plane, months later, crying and wondering why I am doing this. (why months? this is another dramatic 2nd act, for another time perhaps)

Today I have an answer for myself – Leaving home was the hardest leap I have had to do, but also the best decision I have made.

The thought process and survival through it all was an tumultous journey of self-discovery, and digging deep into my faith for comfort and strength. There were many down periods of missing home, of having to be independent, of having to come to terms with being alone or being lonely.

But there were as many up sides of realising what I am made of, drawing closer to my family, seeing the great big world and getting to know so many more people who are smarter than I am and really getting a kick out of working with them.

Through that leap, which was instigated by someone who knows me so well, I, in turn, got to know myself.

And that was, and still is, the destination.

@Kathleen: How amazing! Really applaud your courage for taking such a huge leap – can you imagine how you’d be feeling if you’d resigned yourself to stay within your suburban life?

@Shidababe: Thanks so much for telling your story – leaving home is never going to be an easy thing and I respect the hell out of you for making the decisions you’ve made. Knowing you a little bit, I know you’re always ready to make great decisions. Talk soon.

I was working in an unrewarding job in 1996, 2 years after graduating with a BFA. I quit my job and went back to school so that I could apply for veterinary school. I had to do 2 years more of undergrad science classes to even be able to apply. My first week of undergrad classes I thought “oh my god what have I gotten myself into?” Having a supportive spouse was the biggest help. During vet school he said he didn’t recognize me without a book in front of my face, and some of my classmates’ relationships didn’t survive the strain. I’ve now been a veterinarian for 6 years, and other than the rather large student loan debt, I’m glad I did it.