Thursday 4 December 2008

Dare To Dream





Hi, I'm Laura from Move to Portugal.

Sharon recently wrote a post about Fear of Failure and I left a comment quoting something that I had once read, which has always held true to me, 'I have no fear of failure, only a fear of not trying'.

This is quite an apt quote for us considering the journey we are on.

When we first started out on our mission to pay off the mortgage and move to Portugal we didn't tell anyone, we thought that friends and family would think we lived in a dream world, so we decided to keep quiet. As time has gone on we've slowly let people in on the secret and nearly everyone has the same reaction, it's impossible, you'll never afford it.

I never quite know how to react to this. It's hard to talk to people about how living frugally, having a 'less is more attitude' and not wanting to own the biggest house on the block, means that you can achieve your dreams. It's hard to get people to realise that once you stop living a consumer lifestyle then life becomes so much easier. This is something you have to realise yourself.

My philosophy is to aim high, if you don't quite make it to the top then at least you might land somewhere near it.

Recommended reading: Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominquez and Vicki Robin.

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Image Credit: Portugese Eyes

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8 comments:

Margaret's Ramblings said...

Never give up on your dreams, I have achieved many and look forward to the ones still ahead. Number one is getting my book published - when I have ffinished it, LOL

Anonymous said...

Hm - I could understand people saying 'you could never afford it' if you were moving to Japan, Norway or New York - but Portugal? I thought that was a cheap place to live...lol.

Nearly everyone in Norway retires in Spain because it thriples their retirement fund.

Lovely picture.

Anonymous said...

It seems as though a lot of blogs and readers of my blog are sending the same message of "dreaming and going for it." And I read them and feel encouraged, that I will pull out of this difficult time, the bank won't take my boat, and I will find happiness. I often think of where I would be if I hadn't gone after my dreams and right now my old life looks much better. Regardless, I am hopeful for the future. Thank you for the encouragement and I'll keep trying.
Teresa

Sharon J said...

@ Margaret. Like you, I've achieved a good few dreams although in order to do that, it's meant landing flat on my face a few times too. But you just get up, brush yourself off, and start all over again :)

@ L-Jay. I don't know anybody who's retired to Spain from Norway. Not a soul. Most of those I know wouldn't dream of leaving Norway for good, they love their country too much.

@ Sailing Simplicity. You can only work with what you have and hope that one day things will go the way you want them to. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't, but if you don't try then you can be 100% certain that they NEVER will :)

Anonymous said...

hi all,
i am currently working towards a goal, i won't call it a dream, 'cos it is reality :-)

i want to do a PhD in new zealand, my boyfriend wants to teach out there and we want to take our five pets.

residency visas cost a lot, as do air fares for humans and animals.

we are currently living very frugally to save-up the money to do it.

yes we have to forego the traditional trappings of westerners who aren't on the poverty line: holidays; meals out; lots of new stuff - but for us it's a price worth paying... most of the time LOL

i think what i struggle with the most is my fear, at the moment i'm waking-up at 2am with a sick feeling in my stomach

i try my best to focus on all the advantages of NZ over the UK (open spaces, less materialistic, friendly people, more outdoor living), this sometimes helps.

sadly, many people think fear means one shouldn't do something, so they stop with their dreams. i wonder if some people are jealous at others who have the guts/organisation/realisation that "stuff" isn't what it's all about to go for it? or maybe they genuinely think the dream is too dangerous and that they're being helpful..on reflection it's probably that.

anyway to all us of who are dreaming/working towards a new reality: keep going, you will get there. and a big hug!

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