How Oliver, aka @sailing_with_phoenix, has inspired us all.
I stood alone at the Northern tip of the island. There was nothing but the vast ocean ahead. It was satisfying to know that it was my hard work and determination that had brought me here. At the time, I had no idea getting up at 3 AM before work to write would one day get me to the Arctic Circle. Yet, I was there—nothing but sea cliffs, blue ocean, and puffins. Breathing in the salty air, I turned my face to the sun. I had never felt so alive.
Last week, I came across an article about a man who cashed out his 401k, quit his corporate job, and is sailing the world with his cat. I was fascinated with this story, and like many others, began following his journey on social media. The timing of finding his story was perfect.
During an interview with Anderson Cooper, a man named Oliver said something that resonated with me. He described how many people fear what is on the other side of a big decision. The uncertainty stops us from taking that “leap” into what we feel in our hearts is meant for us.
Oliver took the leap, which I can only imagine was scary, but now he has a huge following just by doing what he loves. He broke free from what society has conditioned us to believe is the only way to live, and he discusses in detail that his decision was driven mainly by his dissatisfaction at work, coupled with the recent diagnosis of an incurable disease.
Oliver’s life flashed before his eyes, prompting him to take a chance, buy a sailboat, learn to sail, and do it—all because this is what his heart told him he should be doing. It took incredible courage, hard work, and determination, but he did it, and now the world is watching.
Although I have not done something as drastic, I can relate to his feelings very much, and I think many of us can. More and more people are listening to that little voice inside us, whispering the way to go, towards what we love.
I am one of them.
For me, these have always been photography and writing. I took my first picture of a bird when I was six years old, using my dad’s manual Canon. I remember sitting at the dining room table typing short stories with my old typewriter, which would have to hit “return” and wait for the paper to shift left to start again.
I left art after my mom passed away. Now I realize walking away from art was a trauma response because I was so devastated by her passing. Slowly, I found it again. I began blogging about my experiences hiking the mountains in New Hampshire, and shortly after, purchased my first mirrorless camera.
I took terrible photographs at first, unfamiliar with the new world of digital photography. I started writing more, submitting stories to competitions, and even penning my first novella in 2021. This is what prompted me to visit Iceland. My writing and photography began to blossom organically.
During my third visit to Iceland, I spent a morning photographing Arctic foxes. I sat in the cold, dewy grass for hours, engrossed with my camera and the foxes, paying no mind to my hunger pains. Lost in the moment, I realized I had found my joy again.
Years later, after sacrificing so much to return to Iceland many times over again, waking up at 3 AM to write, selling belongings to travel, and taking so many risks I have lost count, I realize the fear doesn’t matter much when you find what you love. I knew photography and writing were here to stay, now in my life.
However, there were moments of doubt.
Occasionally, I looked down on myself because I would compare my life to friends my age who all had big houses, a family, and perhaps even a second vacation home. At the same time, I struggled to save for an art residency in Iceland. What the heck was I doing?!
When I packed a bag for an art residency this March, I had no idea what was ahead for me. Before I departed, I had my doubts. What if taking a month away from work is a mistake? How will I survive on a tiny island with one store? What if I don’t produce enough writing? Can I produce writing in a house with three strangers? And the list of fears went on almost to the point that I didn’t go!
My fears were replaced by excitement when I saw Hrísey, the Island I’d be living on, from the ferry. Within one day, they dissolved as I immersed myself in nature and began to realize everything I feared was because it was out of my comfort zone.
I spent my days writing and photographing landscapes, birds, and the aurora when it showed up. It was a magical and fulfilling stay, and despite what I had to give up to get there, it was one of the best decisions I had ever made.
During the residency, I journeyed to a remote island in the Arctic Circle to photograph puffins. It was just me, the puffins, and the North Sea. I had never felt so alive, yet I wondered if I was crazy.
Then came Oliver’s story, to say, “Hey, you are living your life. It is your adventure, and this is better than okay; it is incredible!”
Despite the uncertainty, not knowing what is next, or what will become of this, I keep going because I love it and believe in it because I love it.
Like Oliver, I know the journey may be scary, uncertain, rough, and unpredictable. But like Oliver, I believe you can never go wrong when you follow your heart.
I wonder how many people he has inspired with this incredible act of courage? How many people will now take that leap of faith? Work towards their dreams? Look fear in the face and say I can do this because I love it.
Oliver took a chance, and his bravery allowed the rest of the world to do the same thing.
Good luck to him and everyone else following their hearts. Do what you love; the time will pass anyway.
Please read about the photograph that changed my life….Facing Challenges: Capturing the Arctic Fox in Iceland’s Harsh Weather
