Don’t Change the Dream—Change the Plan

I had a dream that I when I retired from full-time employment we would rent a home, on an island, overlooking the water for one year. My husband got onboard when I reduced the timeline from twelve months to six months. My preferred place was Anna Maria Island but over a couple years we visited fifteen potential locations in NC, SC, GA and Florida and decided on Anna Maria Island. I visualized my sun-kissed self walking on a beach, collecting shells, living in flip flops and eating fresh fish—everyday. 

 I planned this for years. 

Then Covid hit and beach rentals skyrocketed (if people had to shelter in place why not do it at a beach location). Mother Nature hit Florida with some ghastly storms causing insurance to go through the roof, and prices again skyrocketed. I re-grouped and changed the plan to three months before running the numbers and bringing the dream to an abrupt stop. 

After much deliberation and with great sadness, I resigned myself to the fact that my dream was no longer possible.

I retired in December and in January I went to Fripp Island, SC for two days and in February I went to Oak Island , NC for four days. As I walked on the beaches, I marveled that I could still have the dream of walking on the beach, a lot, I just needed to change the plan. So, I now have plans this year that include renting homes, on islands, overlooking the water in various locations, for shorter periods of time. And, whether it is January or September, I will be walking on the beach,pretending to be sun-kissed, collecting shells and finding joy.

When you are about to abandon a dream, give it more thought and find a way to stay true to your desire and create a new plan.