20 Comments
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Sascha Camilli's avatar

I love this. So often we miss out on the big picture because we're so busy chasing the next thing.

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Caterina's avatar

Exactly, Sascha! That is basically my default mode, so from time to time I need a reminder!

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Barbs Honeycutt's avatar

Omg that olive oil !! The fisherman story is spot on! Sometimes I need to pinch myself and remind me I am living the life I wanted and I am where I always dreamt to be. Sure, there are tradeoffs... Such is the life of a migrant/expat

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Caterina's avatar

Yes, 100% agreed on the tradeoffs that a migrant/expat's lifestyle entails! And I loved reading this from you: "I need to pinch myself and remind me I am living the life I wanted and I am where I always dreamt to be." I feel lucky to have such accomplished and enthusiastic members in my Substack community!

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sukhi's avatar

Wow I love this. I also get caught up in that constant desire for more. Whenever I get what I want, I find something else that I’m lacking despite all the privileges that I already have. The fisherman story helps shift the mind to a much healthier perspective on life

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Caterina's avatar

Yes, it's crazy how we all resonate with the fisherman story! It sounds like we all get stuck in the "I want more and more and more" mindset from time to time.

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Kaila Krayewski's avatar

Great story about perspective and the value of getting clear on your future self.

Are you originally Italian, Caterina?

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Caterina's avatar

Thanks so much, Kaila! 💗 And yes, I am! :)

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Michelle Elisabeth Varghese's avatar

So true! It’s hard to remember that we have what we once wanted when we keep moving the goalpost.

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Caterina's avatar

Exactly, Michelle! You totally captured the essence of my article :)

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Tanessa Shears's avatar

This was so good and of course, resonated. I'm in this part of the cycle: "I need to earn more while keeping my flexibility. And being fully asynchronous would be ideal.”

But it's crazy - I'm sitting on my balcony, overlooking the ocean in the Dominican, coffee in hand and reading your blog.

This IS my reward. Thanks for the reminder.

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Caterina's avatar

Exactly, Tanessa! Things will come, but we need to make sure we appreciate every step of the journey! (especially when it involves having coffee overlooking the ocean, I mean 🤌)

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Tanessa Shears's avatar

Yes!! And also acknowledge how COOL it is to be able to design the future.

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Emanuela B's avatar

Caterina, your post truly resonates with me and reminds me of something my wise husband (but don’t tell him! 😅) said last week. I was complaining about wanting to travel more and live in different cities throughout the year. Then he made me realize that, at that very moment, I was on my way to the airport, flying from Paris —where I spend half of my week and sometimes my weekends— to Florence, while actually living in Lyon. 😋

I guess it's human to always want more; it's part of our evolution, both as a species and as individuals.

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Caterina's avatar

Whaaat??? I didn’t know you were constantly traveling across these beautiful cities and regions! That’s definitely something to be grateful for—so crazy how we tend to overlook our achievements and focus on what we don’t have! (Don’t worry, I won’t say a word to your husband ;)))

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kaja jean's avatar

100%, I think about that story all the time after first hearing it in the 4-Hour Work Week! great reminder and beautiful photos of Italy😍

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Caterina's avatar

4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris? I didn't know he mentioned this story in that book! Did you find the book interesting/useful? And thank you so much! 💙

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kaja jean's avatar

yes!!! it was very inspiring :)

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Asia Dawn's avatar

Needed this reminder 🥹 Thank you

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Caterina's avatar

Aww, I'm so glad you found it useful! Thank you for reading! 💙

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