What do you do when life is so busy, you just want to hit PAUSE and get off? Well, this is what I just did.
It all started this summer. I spent two weeks in our family house in the north of Norway, in a tiny, tiny place called Sigerfjord, in Vesterålen. I am from Stavanger, which is in the south-west, and has over 200 000 people living there. In Sigerfjord there is around 700 people.
Our house has a pretty nice location, next to the fjord.
My friends and I had a great time, and I felt like I was in a "happy place". My grandfather, who was my hero, was from Sigerfjord, and maybe I felt like I was a bit closer to him, being there. I knew that after those two weeks, my life would involve a super busy (but fun) full-time job and also busy part-time master studies. I felt a bit choked, and was not happy with the situation I had put myself in. Why sign up for a master's program when life already is too busy? All out of sudden, I realized I could actually choose to not have that life. So in a blink of an eye, I made a decision: I was quitting my job and moving to beautiful Sigerfjord.
Here is my cousin who also lives there, and me, almost at the top of Stortinden, at 2 am. (During the summer the sun never goes down. Oh, and now, at winter, the sun never comes up ...) Sigerfjord is aaall the way down there.
So far, I have not regretted my decision, and I am sure that life is about to get a lot better. My friend wanted join, so the two us are packing our cars, and traveling by boat next Saturday. What to expect - I really do not know, but I can not wait to live close to the fjords, next to the mountains and under the Northern Light. Feel free to follow me on this adventure :)
Picture taken by @svk from our trip this summer. This is Kvalvika in Lofoten, which is just hours away from Vesterålen.
Oh; and who am I? Karianne, 30 years old, freelance journalist who loves friends, traveling, relaxing, being outdoor and laughing. Working on getting my MBA-degree and living my dream at the same time.
Here is one last picture taken of Sigerfjord, by @svk
A great sorty, welcome!
Thank you :)
Well done on the brave decision!!! Sometimes I think society gives out a really strong message that if you give up on a plan then you are a failure, but actually people change along the journey and sometimes it's the most unhealthy thing to just persevere doggedly forwards on a path that you know deep down will make you unhappy. I've done both of these in the past, and going forward I'm now a fan of following ones little inner voice and intuition! Good luck!!! best, Kate
Thank you for encouraging words. I couldn't agree more! I've said I think it's more brave to stay in a un-happy situation than to actually change it. We have to take control of our own lives, no one else will do it for us. So go us! :)
Copied from here
Wow, that is so true! Thank you for sharing :)
It's lovely isn't it? Unfortunately not sure who the author is, it's just something Google spotted on a Pinterest account!
That's a good call, @kariofthenorth - always good to do what one wants to, not what the world wants us to. It's good to have some sort of a path planned but for the rest, let life take us where it does. My story is somewhat similar and I took a long time to take that call to quit my software job and get into journalism but it's been worth the effort. All the best :)
What you said right there. Amen!! Too many people just stay where it’s “comfortable” - whether it’s a job, relationship and so on. I guess it’s suitable to say what the youngsters say; yolo! :)
Exactly; just got one life, as they say :)
Great introduction post. Brave decision to move to Sigerfjord. Welcome to North Norway and steemit community. Regards from the neighborhood in north :)
Thanks! Any survival in the darkness-tips? :)
"Any survival in the darkness-tips? "
Make sure you keep your Vitamin D3 levels up between 60-80ng/ml, minimally 40-60ng/ml.
I don`t think you need tips for survive. You will find the first winter exiting and exotic. It will be plenty of things to do, at least shoveling snow and put firewood in the oven :)
I cant wait :) :)
I wish you good luck and ones again Very welcome to the north. You have a nice place to stay in Sigerfjord, looking forward for your posts from the site, follow you :)
wooow, beautiful place! When can I come and visit?
I know, it's mindblowing! The Norwegian doors are always open :)
Welcome to Steem @kariofthenorth I have upvoted and sent you a tip
Thank you so much :)
It is just beautiful. Enjoy your time, the life is going to reward you for it!!!!
Aw, thank you! I really hope and believe so too :)
beautiful place to live forever
I agree :)
Fascinating !!! Nice post
Thanks :)
Awesome vistas, fresh air – all you need for your MBA preparation
Yes! This can't go wrong :)
Welcome to Steemit. I hope it is good for you. Invite some friends and build the community
welcome to Steem @kariofthenorth ! Nice Post ! I hope you enjoy here ! I will give the vote to you, please follow me
Thank you :) :)
Yes!!!! You Are finally on Steemit! 😀 I can’t wait to Visit you in the north.
And I cant wait for you to visit <3 <3 <3
stunning, welcome to steem. following!
Thanks :)
I wish you the best on your new adventure. Congrats on making a decision and sticking to it. Too often we make decision to please others instead of doing what is best for us.
Thank you for kind words. And I agree; I wish people more often made decisions based on whats best for them instead of trying to please others and society. Wishing you a great day :)
Wow! For en fantastisk natur!
Kult å se flere norske på steemit, og særlig flere fra Stavanger :)
Er det @susanne som står for rekruteringen? :P
Ser frem til å se hva mer du har å dele på steemit! Kommer til å dukke opp flere kule tjenester fremover for dem som liker å dele bilder og reiseopplevelser :) Og med en freelance journalistbakgrunn så passer det jo perfekt!
Snakkes på steemit.
Fredrik
Ja, for en natur vi har i dette landet, altså. Måtte bli voksen for å faktisk skjønne hvor heldige vi er.
Stemmer det, @susanne som har lokket meg hit ;)
Oi, så spennende! Det gleder jeg meg til å se!
Vi snakkes :)
Welcome to steemit, @kariofthenorth ! Followed :) Fascinating pictures, and looking forward discovering more with you through your next articles!
Thank you so much :) I look forward to sharing from my adventure :)
Welcome to Steemit, Karianne. Sigerfjord is really very beautiful. That's very spontaneous of you, quitting your job and moving. Wow! The sun doesn't set in summer and doesn't really rise in winter there awesome. That's a beautiful picture at the end. Good introduction post. Have fun Steeming.
Thanks :)
Indeed, it is very beautiful up there - cant wait to go and explore more.
Pretty awesome, but my cousin who lives there actually just went and bought a sun-lamp to make sure he can stay awake during the day. So it will be an interesting experience :)
Great post, nice to hear about Norway. Still some family there. Hope to get there sometime myself! Takk
Cool, where about in Norway? You should definitely come here some time :)
I believe they are all still in the Stavanger area. I will get there!!
Nice landscape and internet, what do you need more? :D
Welcome!
Maybe some nice people, but I am sure there are plenty of that too :)
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Absolutely Beautiful!! I look forward to following you. :)
Thank you :) I will make sure to take loads and loads of pictures for Steemit :)
What a great introduction post, you are instantly followed and up voted!
P.s. Norway is beautiful!
Thank you so much :) It really is. Had to become an adult to realize it though, but now appreciating a lot :)
Wow, very nice landscape! I love this mountains! :-)
They are really powerful and majestic :)
It's been a dream of mine to move to Norway! My best friend is half filipino and half norsk! I've been learning the language too! Looking forward to seeing more of your posts! Lykke til!
Oh really? I see you know a few words already - good for you! :) Thank you :)
Welcome, I hope to visit Norway one day. In the meantime I will follow your adventures.
Thank you! I will try my best to show Norway from its best so you just HAVE to visit :)
Amazing location! Continue living your dream!! Oh, and please if you can...upload some pictures of the same area in winter...just curious.
I will do my best! I know my cousin has been on top of that mountain during winter, and it looks unreal. Will not be as tough as him, but will for sure challenge my boundaries :)
I can so relate to your decision to turn your back on what conventional society prescribes. I feel sure you will not regret your brave decision and know that the view and freedom you will enjoy will be a worthy, worthwhile reward in itself. Enjoy your journey xox
Thanks for those uplifting words. I am super excited to see how this all turns out :)
That is quite the decision! I just visited Helsinki, Finland this weekend and absolutely fell in love. It really made me want to explore more of Scandinavia, especially Lapland, Finland/Sweden.
Cool! There is plenty to see in Scandinavia. Where are you from? :)
Congratulations @kariofthenorth!
Your post was mentioned in the hit parade in the following category:
Wow, thanks :) :)
Freiend check my this post?
i hope you participate
Fascinating story! Welcome to Steem. Following you
Thank you :) :)
Welcome to steemit man
Thank you :)
Wow that is awesome! How bold, but how logical at the same time. If you aren't as happy as you could be, change it! Thanks for sharing, look forward to more posts!
Yes, thats so right! If you ain't changing it, then you can't complain either. Thank you, I look forward to sharing my experiences :)
dette er virkelig tøfft av deg! er ikke alle som tørr å gjøre som du, lykke til, håper du får det akkurat som du vil :)
Tusen takk :) Nå må bare stormen gi seg sånn at vi får kommet oss nordover med Hurtigruten :)
Wow, that really looks amazing. I gotta say, that I had this thought of quitting my job and going some place like you did as well, but I never actually pulled through. I believe I would get bored pretty soon and then regret later, so I rather keep working and saving for my travels abroad, but I admire what you did and I believe it's a great strategy for some to focus on more important goals, just not for me at the moment. Cheers!
Thats absolutely a great idea too! I think we all need to find our way of doing things - and I'm not sure if this is mine, but I'm about to find out :)
Beautiful pictures and inspiring story. I am interested into traveling to find a quaint place to feel at peace. I am almost 47, my 3 children are grown and now it’s time for me to find my own. Love and light to you on your journey.
Oh, I'm curious what you will do to find yours! Do you have any plans? Thank you :)
The only ideas at this moment is to make sure my children are secure in college. Next is to travel different places to find where I want to build a tiny house. Then sell my house and continue my travels, while my travels I would like to meet new people and somehow make a positive impact on them and or their lives. Thank you for asking :)
what a beautiful country! Lovely post, thank you
You're absolutely right to have taken this decision! We're often chasing stuff that won't make us happier in the end :-)
Hello @kariofthenorth,
you picture are breathtaking beautiful. I never visited Norway because I connected the country norway alsways with cold. But your pictures changed my mind. I hope I can get there soon. Thank you!