“Remember, Alison, anything is possible in Paris.”
Welcome to dreameratheart.org. I’m Alison and this is the story of Paris and how I landed here.
For six years, I travelled the world and had countless adventures on a mostly solo journey. I enjoyed wonderful encounters with locals and learned that stepping outside my comfort zone, although never easy, is where I find the magic.
Instead of trying to go everywhere, I discovered that my passion is France, a country where I feel at home. I am totally embracing the notion that I am secretly French!
I’m currently living in Paris following these words of wisdom from my twenty-year-old self, “Anything is Possible in Paris.” I’m dying to share my discoveries to help you plan an intriguing, adventure to Paris and beyond.
The Story of Anything is Possible in Paris
It’s a funny thing about life that our true selves are always there. Waiting for us to pay attention. Waiting for the right time.
In my case, I travelled through Europe as a backpacker in 1980. I spent six months in seven countries. The country I spent the most time in was France. I kept going back by myself, to meet my sister, my mother and various friends. Paris was a key part of that journey.
Fast forward many years ahead when I had decided to burst the confines of my comfort zone, wrap up my career, rent and then sell my house and become a modern-day nomad. I had a lot of packing up to do. Buried in a box in my basement, I came across my old brown leather journal from 1980 tracking my travels.
Those last few months of work, I spent my breakfasts rereading my journal with a map of Europe in front of me, marvelling at how I had navigated to so many places, caught trains, found accommodation with only the help of Let’s Go Europe. No Google searches. No Google Maps. No TripAdvisor. No booking. com
I turned the last page in my journal and read with great care the details of my final trip to Paris that year. And then my heart stopped. For there staring me in the face were the words,
“Remember, Alison, anything is possible in Paris.”
These words resulted in a physical reaction in my body. They pierced my heart. They made me pay attention. I hadn’t been back to Paris in decades.
I didn’t know at that exact moment why the words held such power. I tucked them away, not to be forgotten.
I visited Paris on my nomadic journeys, the first return trip being momentous, and what I noticed was that I always felt like I was coming home. I dismissed this as the most ridiculous of thoughts. Throughout my first four years of nomadic travels, I returned to Paris and France on many occasions and I kept meeting French friends in all corners of the world.
Finally, I decided to apply for a visa to live in France for a year because Anything is Possible in Paris.
Right?
I arrived just before the Coronavirus confinement of 2020 and am currently still here, almost four years later.
Possibilities and making the most of our lived experiences are what make life interesting.
I thank my twenty-year-old voice for her words. How would she ever have known the impact they would have decades later?
The Nomadic Years
Here is my story of being a true Dreamer at Heart, pushing through uncomfortable resistance and barriers to arrive at the other side.
Who Is This Dreamer?
Hello, I’m Alison, a Canadian, who like all of you, has many identities – mother, sister, daughter, friend and teacher to name a few. Laying dormant for many years was another one – traveller. It doesn’t mean that I never travelled, it’s just that I had forgotten how exploring made me feel so alive.
In 2012, my daughters travelled through Central and South America. I voyaged vicariously with them realizing that an irrational passion was brewing inside. I started dreaming of exotic places, intriguing histories, enticing sights and smells, heart-stopping adventures, and most importantly connecting with people all over the world.
From Educator to Nomadic Explorer| Beyond The Comfort Zone
I spent a major part (28 years) of my adult life teaching, consulting and being a school administrator. I taught all the elementary grades from Kindergarten to Grade 6, some for many years and others for shorter times.
But I started to get restless. My comfort zone was suffocating me.
Do you know the saying, “The magic happens outside your comfort zone?” I was in my zone. No magic.
Those dreams of exotic places that I mentioned earlier? Well, the seed had been planted and the call to the wider world was impossible to ignore. But how on earth was I to step outside my comfort zone?
I had a difficult decision to make. I deliberated back and forth. Numerous times I woke up in the middle of the night, my heart pounding and a million “What If” questions swirling around my head.
I decided to end my career, retire 6 years before I “should have”, and become a modern-day wanderer, a nomad.
For me, there was no other option but to follow my dreams and burst the confines of my comfort zone.
And yes, it was terrifying. But one step at a time, I put a plan into action.
With my remaining belongings in storage, I travelled, off and on, for five years and then I landed in Paris.
Have you ever wondered if it’s too late to step outside your comfort zone?
What steps are you willing to take to follow your dreams?
“Dreams are necessary to life,” says Anaïs Nin.
So let’s chase some dreams…
I invite you to read about some adventures from my travels. Maybe one word or photo will inspire you to take the leap, push the boundaries of your comfort zone and put a dream into action.
Where are you dreaming of going? South America, Sri Lanka and France have been some of my favourite destinations.
Have you ever considered any housesitting adventures? It is another way to see the world that is unforgettable.
Are you planning to travel solo? Here are some tips and tricks to successful solo female travel.
I wish you all the best in your endeavours to step outside your comfort zone. If you want some travel advice or a conversation about your travel ideas, be sure to contact me.
