Quote Originally Posted by shootingstar View Post
.... It's more just taking opportunities or making big life decisions that looks risky to outsiders. It is possible to non-cyclists who see some of us cycling all over the place as an expression of "breaking free".

Taking multiple risks does mean dealing with some aloneness for first while when one must readjust to a new environment all over again.
This!

"I" have never considered myself to actually be a "risk-taker". There are many ways to do that, and I did deal with major depression for years which manifested in some...unique ways...thankfully I was finally able to deal with the major trauma and PTSD that caused it in the first place. No problems with the depression in close to a decade now

Over the years I've become quite good with distilling my resume to support job-seeking, and it has been relatively easy to pull up stakes to move across the country. My focus seems to be changing though, while I WOULD move across the country for the right job, it would take a lot more to make it worth my while to do so. If my debt level were lower then perhaps this would be different...but it is a part of it.

I've several good friends in my church who are amazed at the things I "dare" to do alone - in their minds I am an extreme risk-taker. I guess opposites attract - but I am no where near where I once was in this department. Yes I go hiking/riding by myself and I am learning mountain biking at 51 - but that is far from my definition of "risk-taking". Compared to my younger years my life is quite boring/sedentary these days. I am sometimes amazed that I actually survived those years and am thankful for all that I have.