I'm Going to Paris!!!

I was recently reading a book in which the protagonist, being an author, realized one day that she had the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, but for some reason had never taken advantage of this perk inherent to her career. After some soul searching as to the cause of her steadfast immobility, she recognized that perhaps she was afraid to move beyond her comfort zone—that she harbored a fear of the unknown, of change, of having too much time alone. Whatever the cause, she determined that her chronic state of inertia was preventing her from living her one single and precious life to its fullest. Intent on remedying this character flaw, she of course immediately relocated to Paris, where she was struck and killed by a car.

Despite this decidedly un-rosy outcome, I recognized much of myself in this unfortunate character. Upon examining my own life circumstances, I determined that I, too, have the freedom to work from anywhere—yet I am generally rooted to my couch with only my two cats to keep me company and the History Channel on for background noise. As a consultant, I perform nearly all of my work virtually. I have an understanding, encouraging, and entirely self-sufficient husband who shares my view that our lives are the sum total of our choices and experiences. Our resources are sufficient enough. And we have no children. Put simply, I have no excuse for my torpidity. There is no reason I cannot briefly relocate my “office” to experience life in other parts of the world.

And so, intent on remedying my character flaw, I will of course relocate to Paris, where I will live, work, and explore for the entire month of July. I intend to bask in the city’s beauty, experience its cuisine and culture, and drink in its art and architectural icons. (And its wine.) I am leaving July 4, and will keep a record of my experiences here until I return on August 5. It is my hope that this will be an enlightening and unforgettable experience.

And I hope not to be run over by a car.