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Darleen Saunders's avatar

Normal is just a setting on the dryer. You are definitely an outlier, you just fall somewhere on the edges of a chart. I used to think you might be running from something (or someone), or maybe to something. But you do lead an honest and public self-examined life. So maybe not. If your lifestyle is suiting your needs—who are we to judge?

One of the things I tell parents who ask my advice about choosing an educational path for their children is to do what’s best for now. Stop thinking long term. Kids change. Life changes. It’s too daunting and unnecessary to choose THE one path. You may find the same. Someday you might fall in love with someone or someplace, and decide to stay, and it’ll be ok. Maybe even a welcome change. Give yourself permission to change your mind.

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frances's avatar

Good problems Blake, good ones! I admire you. We’ve had to stay put in Belgium longer than we planned - was aiming for 5 years but this year we hit 8 - next summer we move stateside for my husband’s job. This forced longevity has me in a sweet spot with local friendships and social life. Going through things with them side by side over the years: fallouts, making up, burnout, cancer, divorce, marriage, births, quitting jobs, quitting veganism, house hunting, homeschooling versus schooling…. Good and bad times, exciting and dull times. We’ll leave with mixed feelings but it’s interesting that this year has felt the fullest, almost makes me want to stay, which I thought I’d never reconsider.

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