My daughter who's a highschool junior talked for years about taking a #gapyear and I was a big supporter. Not only that, I started making plans to join her for a month or two. I got excited thinking about we could learn Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala and visit our vacation home in Avellanas, Costa Rica. Then one day she announced that she was over the idea of a gap year and would rather plow straight to college. I was devastated until I realized I could plan my own #grownupgapyear.
Sidonie graduates in eighteen months - June, 2023. My plan is to spend her last summer at home, get her settled at school, and then head out on my own adventure.
Sidonie and I had an incredible breakfast at Cafe Raices after landing in in Liberia on her Spring break in 2022.
Plan Ahead: There's Lots to Think/Dream About
There's no better way to meet a goal than sharing it with at leas one other person so I'm sharing with you ✔️
It's easy to feel overwhelmed but writing things down vs. keeping it all in your head helps with that ✔️
Given the rise of the #grownupgapyear and #silversabbatical (also known as #adultgap year, or for those 50+ #graygapyear) I figured others (you!) could learn from my journey. I'm starting with simple questions like:
❓Will my spouse be ready to take a gap year too?
❓Do I need to apply for citizenship or a work permit?
❓What do I do with my house when I'm gone?
❓Should I go home for the holidays?
❓Do I work full time, part time or...
Over time, I'll get into the more complicated things like applying for temporary citizenship vs. permission to become a #digitalnomad, how to experiment and make sure this is actually a good idea, etc.
I promise to be honest about the questions, challenges, and barriers that come up along the way. I'm planning to share the choices I make as I do my planning over the next eighteen months. If you're considering taking your own #grownupgapyear, please join me. Or if you're not there (yet) come along for some fun and inspiration.
I hope you'll follow me on #mygrownupgapyear to #CostaRica.
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