I'm Moving to Paris!

Moving to Paris! What a huge journey! But I can't get there in an instant, even if I WANT to get there right away and start my new life. Just dreaming about the new life out there- can make my life here seem boring in comparison.

But I can't GET there just by dreaming about it. Otherwise it's just a dream. I have to take steps to make it happen. Specific steps that go on a to-do list. Everything needs to be in place!

First I have to figure out about passports and all the legal aspects of moving to another country. It takes time, it takes research (if you don't already know about it) and it takes money. I should probably start learning the language, too.

And to figure out how to end some of my life's aspects here- such as selling the house. Resigning from my job. How to tell my friends and family that things will change. Also, I will need to figure out where to live over there. How to buy a house or rent an apartment. Where to find a job, too? It won't be easy. This could take a lot of time and energy. I also see some lonely times in the middle of the excitement!! Some people will be happy for me as I move on. Others will be mad or sad that I'm moving on. But I have to accept that I can't please everyone- and I have to do what's right for ME, as this is MY life.

Once I get to Paris, that doesn't mean I can just go back to my old way of living, either. I'm now in a new place! I need to learn how to get around, learn how to be fluent in the new language and customs. Figure out how to blend into the new way of life. I can't just live the way I used to, in the US- because I'm no longer in the US anymore. I need to learn how to fit in, but yet still be ME and enjoy my life in a new way.

But before any of you start freaking out... I'm not moving to Paris for real.

I just thought about this last night, and thought how similar it is, to a fitness journey. It's not just about dreaming and hoping for it- and then it happens. You can't just HOPE for a 100-lb weight loss and have it magically happen. It's only a dream until you figure out the specific steps you need to take, to GET there. A little at a time. It doesn't just happen overnight.

You have to figure out how to close away the 'old life' where you eat all the wrong things and didn't have activity. Sometimes it even means separating a bit from the people who are wanting to sabotage your fitness efforts because they don't want you to change, or feel like THEY have to change, too.

Once you get to the new place, you can't just go back to living the way you were before. You're in a New Place now! So you have to continue living the new way- in order to make the new life work out. Continue to eat right, exercise, and find new hobbies and interests that support the new life. Going back to the old ways- just means losing the new life and the new place. Don't worry- you'll make new friends. You'll discover new things that you will LOVE! You'll find yourself stronger and more whole, more balanced.

And the best part of finding your way through a fitness journey? You're MAKING YOUR LIFE BETTER, no matter where you actually live on the planet.