More on the move

Yesterday I had a long conversation with Leo's cousin and her girlfriend. They are currently living in Australia, where they are studying English and working as cleaning ladies. I was reminded by the pure courage one must have to do something so daring as move to a foreign country. They are not happy there. People are cold and look down on them for their broken English. They work on into the night cleaning toilets, yet are so poor they are going hungry.

It was so a relief to talk to them because they understood. You wake up early in the morning? Your chest feels tight? You worry constantly about the future? You're lonely? Unhappy? Oh my God, that's what I was feeling!

The point is, making changes is NOT admitting failure. My experiences in Belo Horizonte were invaluable. I learned skills (like washing clothes by hand) and gained insights into numerous aspects of Brazilian life (like operating electric shower heads and distrusting everyone). I now feel more self-sufficient than ever before. It's simply time to move on.

Making changes is scary. I'm leaving a secure job, a secure living situation, a secure life... to plunge myself in Rio de Janeiro. Despite the unknowns... I can't wait!!

Let this be a lesson for you, dear reader. If you're unhappy in a relationship, a job, a city... give it a chance, yes, but in the end: having the courage to make changes will work out much better for you than whining about being uphappy. This is your life! Don't waste time! What have you got to lose?!