What are your Dandelion Moments?

** NOTE TO READERS ** Starting today, you'll find that my weekly "newsletters" have turned personal. I hope you'll stick around for the journey.

What's your Dream Life?

I'm guilty! I've asked plenty of women to tell me about their dream life. What a loaded concept. DREAM LIFE? Gosh, does that mean there's something I should be doing or someplace I should be living that will make my days feel like rainbows and unicorns? That's a really tough ask.

I'm living in an RV, traveling around the US with my three cats. To many, that's the "dream life." To others, it's probably their worst nightmare. The thing is, this wasn't my dream at all. I never dreamed about RVing. Never. So how did I get here?

The truth is, my lifestyle was killing me. I went from a high-stress career in a toxic work environment to self-imposed deadlines that kept me working from my dining room table, day and night. I put on a ton of weight. I drank too much. I was miserable. And the irony? I had created my own cage.

I thought about the things that I lost when my career ended. Sure, I missed the steady paycheck, but I felt a deep loss that I wasn't traveling and meeting new people. My happy zone is exploring new sights, going on adventures, and being in nature. That's my happy zone. How could I reach it?

As a financial coach, I know the tugs of rationality and passion. It would have been financially sounder to keep my head under the radar at the office so I could continue earning a paycheck. It would have been financially sounder to stay in my mortgage-free house. It would have been financially sounder to get another high-caliber job that took advantage of my expertise and experience. But my heart spoke louder than my brain.

So in May 2020, I traded in my suburban house in Virginia for life on the road. The RV was a means to an end. It's a way for me to get to my happy zones - hiking in the great outdoors, watching the sun rise over the ocean, kayaking on a lonely lake, peering into star-filled nights, and falling asleep with the lullaby of tree frogs. Along the way, I discovered deep soul-quenching joy. I fell in love with life again. And I'm super excited about the journey ahead.

Maybe the Dream Life is Just a Bunch of Dandelion Moments?

Years ago, my coach asked me how I got from where I was to where I am. At the time, I was walking on Harris Beach in Oregon, watching the sun reflect off the waves of the Pacific Ocean. I told her:

You have to have a dream. Then make a plan. Save your money. And have the courage to take action. DREAM PLAN SAVE DO.

Was it really that simple? This last year, I returned to that first concept in the formula - DREAM. A friend on LinkedIn wrote about a magical moment she had experienced - a moment that felt special and she imprinted in her memory banks. And she referred to it as a Dandelion Moment. Perfect!

Think about the dandelion, bursting with those fluffy seeds, until the wind blows them in all directions. Like the dandelion dispersing those seeds, we know our magical moments won't last forever. But we can recognize the joy they bring to us, and maybe we can use that experience to create (and spread) more dandelion moments.

I imagine, at the end of my life, my last thoughts will be flashbacks of dandelion moments. And really, isn't this what my dream life should be about? Building the conditions so that dandelion moments become part of everyday life? Maybe that's it? The Dream Life.

My Dandelion Moments

When I think about my own dandelion moments, scenes from my past leap out. I remember holding my little girl on my shoulders as a parade marched by. It was September, my parents were visiting, and we spent a weekend in Virginia Beach. As I watched the Shriners circling around in their little cars, I felt tears roll down my cheek. You see, just two months earlier, I had met my child in an orphanage in Ukraine. We were family. My child. Me. Grandpa and Grandma. Dandelion Moment.

My dad was a pretty quiet man. Conversation didn't come easy. He talked about farming, the weather, and the Packers. But at Lambeau Field, he turned into FUN DAD. I remember sitting with him on a beautiful autumn day, just me and him - and tens of thousands of fans - sitting on the stadium's hard bleachers. It's a long pass and the wide receiver catches it and sails into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN! Dad and I leap up, yell, clap, and give each other high-fives. Dandelion Moment.

I land the jackpot of RV sites in Watchman Campground in Zion National Park. After a long day of hiking, I build a campfire. My campsite is next to the Virgin River and I can hear the water flow over the rocks. I watch the sun go down over the canyon and the dark sky glitter with stars. My soul feels alive as I take in the warmth of the crackling fire. Dandelion moment.

What's the Common Theme?

When I think about my own dandelion moments, here's what I know:

1. There are no Dandelion Moments that involve the workplace.
2. Family and dear friends are frequent visitors in my Dandelion Moments.
3. Nature brings me heavy doses of Dandelion Moments, even when I'm on my own.

I'm curious, and as a researcher, I want to know about your dandelion moments. What makes them special? Do you have a common theme? Can you change your circumstances to make the conditions ripe for more dandelion moments?

Will you Share your Story?

I have a favor to ask of you. Will you share your dandelion moments with me? I'd like to build speeches and writings around this concept, and I'd be so honored and thankful if you participate in my survey.

Take the Dandelion Survey

I totally appreciate your participation. I'd love for you to share this article and survey link with friends and family. It's a great conversation starter - you might be surprised by what you learn about one another. THANK YOU, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!