Travel Quote Tuesday | Brigitte Muir

Of course, most of us have commitments and practical limitations that mean we can’t spend all our waking hours chasing our dreams – the need to work a job to pay the bills, the desire to spend time with our friends and families, the prioritisation of raising a family or establishing a career (or both)… all kinds of tethers that anchor us to the routine of everyday life.

But I’m a firm believer in balancing these against making time to chase at least some of your dreams on a regular basis.

It’s not uncommon for me to encounter people who wistfully declare that they will travel after they’ve retired in another few decades, or that they’ll take up this or that hobby “one day”, or even that they don’t think they are brave enough to try whatever it is they dream of doing.

But none of us know what is around the corner – we don’t know what the future holds for humanity as a whole, nor what fate will impose upon us individually. This is why I try and follow my dreams to see the world now, when I have the health, the means and the good fortune to be able to do so. I take up new hobbies (such as gardening, learning a new language, pottery) with enthusiasm. I am still pretty sensible – I balance chasing my rainbows with creating a home, spending time on my relationships with families and friends, saving for my future and living a good life on a daily basis.

What about you? What are your dreams and how to you balance the every day with making some of your dreams a reality?

(c) Kavita Favelle - Brigitte Muir - Kew Gardens

This is another from Kew Gardens, one of those places that inspires me in so many ways.

More Kavey Eats Travel Quotes.

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30 Comments to "Travel Quote Tuesday | Brigitte Muir"

  1. Danielle

    I love this post! I am guilty of saying a lot of these things. Work now so I can travel in retirement, etc. However, recently I have decided that I want to enjoy life NOW. That doesn’t mean I can quit my job and travel the world, but I can take a step back from time to time and learn to enjoy life.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    I think many people do say these things, it’s something we’ve almost been conditioned into thinking and saying — that we can’t dedicate ourselves to pursuing our leisure goals until we’ve finished the working part of our life. But I truly believe that, as we have only one life to live, we should find the joy in life all the way through, as much as we can.

    Reply
  2. Louise

    I really, really love this quote, Kavey. After I lost my father to cancer a few years ago, I decided to try not to live in the past or the future, but more in the present! He was only 57 when he died – and he had all these plans for him and my mother. But he never got there… So my Mom and I often talk about how important it is to live here and now! Very wise words indeed!
    X Louise

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Louise, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, and I’m so sorry about the loss of your father. I am very much inspired by my parents, who have always achieved a great balance of working very hard in their careers, and in living life, spending time with friends and especially in seeing as much of the world as they could. We benefited from that as children and I have always followed suit as an adult. I am sorry your parents didn’t get to travel together, but lovely to read the lesson you have taken from this personally.

    Reply
  3. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry

    I totally agree with you, we don’t know what is around the corner. Take your opportunities when you can. A close family member died within a year of retirement, it puts everything into perspective, so I know travel when I can and cut back in other ways to afford to travel.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    I’m sorry to hear this. I lost one of my uncles just as he was coming towards retirement, just as he and his wife were looking forward to much more travel and free time together. They did some great things throughout life, but it felt like a cruel fate for him to pass away just at that cusp.

    Reply
  4. Susan R

    What a fantastic quote! I’ve been travelling so much lately that I’m actually looking forward to some time at home but on the whole I love exploring new places

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Yes, I don’t think the long term nomad lifestyle would suit me, I do like to be at home, partly to spend time with family and friends but also because I love London, I love my home and it’s nice to feel grounded. But yeah, the travel is always calling!

    Reply
  5. Emily

    I completely agree with you Kavey. It’s all too easy to make excuses to put off your dreams, like travel, until the future. We’ve heard some sad stories from friends of ours recently and it’s made us more determined to seize the day. Although the more monotonous stuff still has to get done!

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Yes, this is one of the things that motivates me. Of course it’s a balancing act, and the other side of life is there too, including earning a living to afford the means to travel, not to mention the importance of building and maintaining one’s relationships with family and friends. But within those limitations, I want to do all I can do!

    Reply
  6. Carol Colborn

    I am the opposite. I waited til I turned 60 and now I travel almost full time, knowing I only have a small window to do it. At 69, i had the funds, the time and my kids all had families already.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    I’m so glad for you that it’s worked out so well and you are enjoying this period. Sadly I know a number of people who planned it this way but either passed away or suffered significant health issues that meant that they had missed the window during which they could have travelled. It’s definitely a valid strategy, but perhaps more risky in terms of whether it will or won’t happen. It’s wonderful when it works out so well.

    Reply
  7. Jocelyn

    I have the funds right now, but rarely have the time off of work to go travel when I want. I am very jealous of those people who travel all year round, but I know that comes at a price too. Either way, already have my plans for next year 🙂

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    I am not able to travel all year round either, but can usually take off work as long as I plan it into my calendar sufficiently in advance… sometimes I wish I could do more but I don’t think I’d like to be a long term “digital nomad” even though I know it suits some very well.

    Reply
  8. Sandy N Vyjay

    Very beautiful and apt quote. Life itself is so ephemeral that you do not know what is around the bend. So instead of waiting for the future to give shape to your dreams, one should live in the present and make the most of it.

    Reply
  9. Sia

    Absolutely, we never know what’s around the corner and as we never know what to expect t is good to take on the opportunities that life throws at us! My travel dreams are only a part of all my dreams so I am trying to balance travelling and career dreams.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Same here, Sia, and it’s very much about balance. Balance between one’s career, home, friends and family, balance between enjoying the now and saving for the future, balance between one’s hobbies and dreams and the pressing realities…

    Reply
  10. Skye

    Great quote. So true – you really have to create the life you want, not simply dream it. Time flies too so there’s no time like the present to do so.

    Reply
  11. Patricia - Ze Wandering Frogs

    We made the jump and took off for a long-term world trip. Already Year 1 over! But still, with easy access to social media, one has to remember to disconnect and actually live, instead of being constantly with our noises in devices.

    Reply

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