My Adriatic Adventure

The view from my balcony. Makarska, Croatia

Last week, I moved into my apartment in Croatia.

For now, it is home.

When I decided to start my next chapter in Croatia, friends and family were kind, excited, and cheering me on.

Of course, I knew I did not need their ‘approval’ — nevertheless, it felt nice knowing that people had kind words to share.

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I’ve always thought it was important to get approval from others as if my decisions held more merit when others approved.

I don’t think I was consciously aware of this — my need to get approval from others. But as I replay moments throughout my life, it’s all there.

The hesitation in going forward without permission.

The second-guessing when a friend or colleague could not validate my decision.

There were many moments of unwillingness to proceed because I was more interested in making other people happy and accommodating their needs than doing what made me happy.

What the actual F@#$!

The need to get approval from others has subsided.

But not without a tremendous amount of work and, well, self-awareness.

I now make decisions based on things that I value, and I try very hard not to seek permission from others when I make decisions.

It is a work in progress. I am a work in progress.

And so back to Croatia.

That was big.

But in the same breath, it was easy.

I decided to start my next chapter in a place of tremendous importance. And while making the decision, I looked to others for guidance and support, not approval.

And here I am, one month into this Adriatic adventure.

And you know what?

It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

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