Am I being thorough in my research or just procrastinating?
First of all, thank you to everyone who offered encouragement and congratulations on last weekās goal updates. Itās such a gift to have people cheering you onā¦and holding you accountable.Ā
Several of you commented on the three Learning and Growth goals Iāve been considering. Being the overthinker that I am, and considering my tendency to avoid scary action by prolonging the research, I could probably stretch out the selection process for several more monthsā¦if not yearsā¦but I promise I wonāt.Ā
Iām going to lay out the whys and why nots of each option in this post, and then choose oneā¦even if that means throwing a dart and letting chance direct me.
Walk a Camino de Santiago
Option 1 is to walk the last 100 km of the Camino Portugues over a 10- to 14-day period, using the baggage transport service. Iām drawn to this particular Camino, because it is said to be one of the most hospitable and beautiful caminos. It is well-traveled, but not as crowded as some of the other more popular options. I would like to walk in late spring, when the weather is likely to be comfortable, and the summer crowds have not yet convened. That means this would be a spring 2025 goal. Of course, the planning and training would begin this year.
The draw
Iāve wanted to walk a Camino since I first read about it on Donnaās Retirement Reflections blog. I love the idea of experiencing a new place on foot, doing something that is so personal and yet shared with others at the same time, and pushing myself physically, but not in an extreme manner. Simply put, I love walking, exploring, traveling, connecting with others, pushing myself, and getting a ārewardā (in this case a Compostela certificate) when I complete the goal.
The drawbacks
My hesitation with this goal is that my husband isn’t as excited about doing this as I am. For various reasons, walking a Camino is not his ideal vacation. Of course, we donāt necessarily have to do this as a team; however, we typically travel together, and I feel a little squeamish about spending that kind of money on a solo trip and about being apart for that long.Ā In my ideal version of this goal, we are experiencing it together.
Attend a writerās conference
Option 2 is attending the Colorado Gold Writers Conference in Aurora, Colorado. The conference features an array of workshops, panel discussions, and lectures led by industry experts, as well as networking and pitching opportunities. Colorado Gold takes place in September 2024, so there is still time to make arrangements, but itās not so far away that I can further procrastinate, should I choose this option as my goal.
The draw
From this experience I would hope to renew my enthusiasm for completing and publishing my novel, make some new connections, and learn from experts in the field. I have also discovered that this organization hosts a contest for unpublished fiction writers. Participating in the contest would be motivation for me to fine-tune my manuscript and an opportunity for additional exposure.
The drawbacks
My hesitation with this goal is whether or not it is even the right goal for me. After some self-reflection, I realize that while I would like to publish this novel I have already written, I have no desire to write another. That doesnāt make me a particularly attractive investment for a traditional agent or publisher.Ā
That leaves the self-publishing option. If I am completely honest, my confidence wobbles when I think about self-publishing. If an agent and a publisher decide to invest in my book, that means an objective expert believes it is ready for publication. While I have received some positive feedback (including from a professional editor), I have no idea if this, my first attempt at fiction, is ready for publication. Iām scared of embarrassing myself. And the idea of being in charge of the actual production of the finished product feels overwhelming.
Given those facts, do I feel passionate enough about publishing my book to put in the emotional and mental effort required? If not, attending a writers conference is probably not the best fit for me.
Complete an accredited wellness coaching course
Option 3 is completing an online wellness coaching course. Iām looking for a course that focuses on an integrative approach to wellness, one that appreciates the connection between mind, body, and spirit. I have tentatively narrowed it down to two possibilities: the mindbodygreen 20-week Health Coach Certification or Legacy Holistic Health 6-month course.Ā
The draw
At one time, I considered becoming a wellness coach after retirement from my full-time job. Iām no longer looking for a second career; however, Iām still interested in the things I could learn from a wellness coaching course to enrich my personal growth and the content of this blog.
The drawback
My biggest hesitation with this goal is the financial investment in a course that I donāt intend to use professionally. I donāt make any money from this blog, and in fact, there are some expenses related to keeping it going. Do I want to invest more? Also, the course requires a five- to six-month commitment. What if I get into it and don’t love it?
Next steps
So there you have itā¦a peek into my decision-making process. Now that Iāve mulled things over in my own head for weeks, Iām finally ready to speak out loud about them. By month-end when I check in with you kind readers on the progress of my April goals, I should be ready to make a commitment and announce the direction Iām headed.
Your turn
- When making a big decision, do you prefer to begin with thinking privately through your options or talking through them with others?
- What is the last class or course you took?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Wow Christie! These are all big endeavours with a lot of positives and significant negatives. I’ll be interested to see which you choose as there is no clear leader. I think if I was going to do a walk I’d do the Lakes District one instead of the Camino – I love the greeness and beauty of that area in the UK. Another friend plans to walk from coast to coast across the UK – the only thing is getting the weather right and not being rained on the whole way! Donna makes the Camino sound wonderful, and Jo makes publishing novels sound like a dream, and Sue is a wellness coach – so maybe you just need to set up some discussions? Good luck!!
Thanks for the encouragement, Leanne. It’s nice being part of a community that includes so many accomplished ladies, isn’t it?
They are pretty awesome and inspiring š
Amen to that! Including you. ā¤ļø
Hi Christie – wow! Three very exciting options! I like the thought process you’re giving them. It’s very much like I would do it. I am an overthinker too but that’s not always a bad thing. I don’t like to rush into things without thought. I need time to think things over and sit with it a while. Eventually the right decision for me will come. I’m sure it will for you too! Can’t wait to hear which one you choose! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy – hope you had a wonderful Easter! xo
Hello, Min. It sounds like we do indeed have a very similar decision-making process. I’ve never been one to rush into anything or act impulsively. Thanks, as always, for hosting #WWWhimsy.
Could you just do 2 or 3 days of the Camino with your husband and then he jets off to something he likes (golf, bands, art – whatever) and you do a week more hardcore? So say a few days of 5kms and restuarants and relaxing and then 14kms a day after that (where the walk is the focus)? It l;ooks soooooooo amazing. I’ve wanted to do it for about 30 years. #WWWhimsy
That’s not a bad idea, Lydia. Hopefully, we will both find our way to the Camino when the time is right for each of us.
And then you both meet up somewhere to recount what you’ve both missed in the others adventures….
That is the joy of time apart, isn’t it Lydia?
Hi Christie, I have no idea how you would choose as they all sound really great. When I walked the Camino Frances by myself, I came across people with their partners who didn’t walk. When they set off walking for the day, the partner took a bus to the next stop. If I did another one, my partner would come and take the bus. He was new on the scene when I walked but I’d hate to spend a long period of time separated now. There is an inexpensive network of buses that runs between towns. That could be another option. The last course I took would have been a course about researching history in Scotland. Looking forward to hearing about your choice/s
Another great suggestion. Thanks Jennifer. Were you at all intimidated on your solo Camino adventure? Have you been to Scotland or are you planning to visit? I’ve always thought it looks like such a beautiful, intriguing country. I do have some Scottish ancestry, so that would be an added reason for visiting.
Part of my decision process is to make the decision privately, and to then sit with it/sleep on it/live with it for a couple of days. If after the set time has passed, I check how I feel. Do I feel sick, a weight in the pit of my stomach, a dread, or a what have I done feeling – then it’s not right for me (or not right for me right now), and I don’t follow through. Conversely if you feel excited, delighted, enthusiastic… then it is right for you right now. Something in the middle, it maybe right for you, but not right now.
In terms of the course, it is often difficult to feel that we, as individuals, are deserving of an investment in time and money – particularly us women. But if the course is affordable and doesn’t impinge on your retirement and the life you’re leading, and you’d enjoy participating and the learning, then why not?
Whatever you decide, they’re amazing goals š
I love that way of listening to your gut, Debs. And thanks for the reminder that the process of taking a course (not just the outcome) is worth the investment. After all, the journey is as important, if not more so, than the destination most of the time.
Fantastic advice Debs š
Agreed!
When faced with a big decision like yours I like to privately figure out what I’m thinking, then share it with other people much in the way you did here. I’m open to advice once I know where I stand in my own mind.
One of my favorite memoirs is Fumbling by Kerry Egan. It’s about her experiences while walking the El Camino. I agree with you: “If an agent and a publisher decide to invest in my book, that means an objective expert believes it is ready for publication.” That’s the bottom line of being a published author.
And as for taking classes, the last one I took was online from Harvard. It explained how museums obtain and display historical objects. Like what you’re contemplating, in the end there was certification but for me it was unnecessary. I just wanted to learn something new.
I’m going to check out Kerry Egan’s memoir. Thanks for the recommendation, Ally. Whether or not I choose to walk the Camino, I’m sure I’d enjoy reading about someone else’s experience.
And I should not be surprised that you took such an intriguing course. I never would have thought about something like that, but now I am actually quite curious about how museums obtain historical objects.
Hi Christie, these are all ambitious undertakings that will challenge your, mind, body, and spirit. I liked the ‘solo’ option another reader suggested for the Camino. I’m sure you and hubby could reach a compromise regarding logistics. That is how Malcolm and I would have to do it also. He walks every day but has no interest in a Camino.
The writer’s conference might help you finish your novel, but if you don’t intend to write another one, I think a cheaper/more personal route might be to have an ‘outsider’ with experience read your book and offer pointers.
Now, to your third choice – this one seems to check many boxes for challenging yourself. Even if you don’t intend to be a life coach, consider the valuable information you will gain, the new routines you will establish in your own life, and the confidence you will have when writing about the subject on your blog. Credentials have a way of boosting your authority! Your blog already has a ‘wellness lean’, so why not take it further?
As for your questions; I privately consider ideas long before sharing them, as most are ruled out after a good sleep. The last ‘real class’ I took was a photography class – 5 sessions of 2 hours each, with a master photographer.
Good luck with your decision.
Thank you, Suzanne, for the thoughtful input on each of these options. It’s very helpful at this point in my decision-making. Like you, I discard many preliminary ideas after a good night’s sleep or a visualization/meditation session. Were you happy with the photography class? Out of curiosity, how did you choose the class or the teacher that was right for you?
Hi Christie my advice would be to take it one area at a time. Sometimes when we have several goals we tend to procrastinate because we get overwhelmed. Pick one of these three and make a start on that. I get where you are coming from with the drawbacks of the Camino. Mike needs a hip replacement so would not manage it and at this point in life I want to enjoy my time with him when we travel. Take care and you do have some exciting projects to work towards. x
That’s great advice, Sue. I am definitely going to narrow these down to one item for now. The others will be set aside for another time, or possibly permanently depending on the direction life takes me. Good luck to Mike with his future hip replacement.
I donāt think any of these ideas would be āa mistakeā. I would love to walk the Camino de Santiago, but am unsure if my body could handle it. About what is the cost, and how many miles (hours?) would you walk each day?
If you take the wellness coach course, as your sister I would expect some ācoachingā. (As if you arenāt already my therapist.)
And lastly, if you publish your book, of course I would read & cherish it. The story is dear to my heart.
I wasnāt much help at all, but Iām anxious to hear about your choice. (Did you notice how I made it all about me? š) I lLove you!
Thanks for the encouraging words, Cindy! I haven’t done a detailed analysis of the Camino option, but a rough estimate with airfare is $5,000. I know people have done it for less than that, but I like a few creature comforts. As for daily mileage, some people walk much more, but I was thinking between five and 10 miles per day, with a couple of rest days built in.
And, of course, coaching my sisters is in my DNA. Taking an accredited coaching course would just mean I’m actually giving you advice supported by experts, instead of the stuff I make up on my own or steal from the internet.
I love you sister! XOXO
What a great way to share decision making and whilst I have no advice one way or another, I know that eventually sharing my thoughts about something new to try/do helps.
Sometimes I write it out but I am more likely to talk to my husband who knows me better than anyone…that’s 53+ years of marriage for you, and he is a thinker who is also a very good observer of people.
Take care,
Denyse.
Talking things out with your wise husband is a great choice, Denyse. And again I have to say 53 years of marriage is an amazing accomplishment. I also like to talk things out with my husband, but I am an introvert by nature, and I always have to think through ideas internally and weigh things out before I feel comfortable putting them into words. I’ve always been “the quiet one” in my family.
Some added thinking on the book. I took the self-published route and worked with a small publishing company who literally walked me through the process. It’s not the cheapest route (but not crazy expensive either), but I didn’t have to learn (worry about) all the elements. There are a number of small presses that do this – I talked with a few and went with Mill City Press.
The last big set of classes I took where to become a certified life coach specializing in retirement transitions. Halfway through the training I realized I really did not like life coaching! (I have not maintained my certification for this reason). But I learned many things that have helped me in my own retirement lifestyle.
When I was debating publishing my book, I talked it over with a few friends. I still recall one friend who said, “It’s your hobby. Do you realize how much others spend on their hobbies – golf fees, lessons with a pro, travel, etc. Just do it.” I have not regretted publishing it at all… and no, it’s not a best seller! Each year I have to choose to keep it “active” and pay for that, so I make no money from it (never did), but I’m thrilled I published.
I wonder why you think you need to choose between them (that’s the sense I got). I say do them all… one at a time!
Thank you for the input on self-publishing, Pat. The option of using a small publishing company is a good one. I just can’t see myself going it completely on my own, but using someone like Mill City Press feels more manageable. And, of course, you are correct, I can do all of these things eventually. Anything I pass on right now may just be moved to the back burner.
Hi Christie, this was a great insight into your thinking and I like how you have looked at both the benefits and possible issues. They are all great goals to have and I look forward to seeing what you decide upon, and there’s a chance you may not choose any of them! Once I decide on something I’m usually the sort to jump onto it and get it under way š
Thanks Deb, especially for the reminder that I don’t have to choose any of these. If none of them feel right in this moment, I can let them go for now.