Mother Sets Out on Endless World Journey, Leaving Daughter at Home

My Daughter and I Moved to the New York City Area Together

So picture this, my younger daughter always had Broadway aspirations. NYC was her ultimate dream. In 2002, I asked if she wanted to move to New York together so I could help her take the first steps towards her theater career. I figured it’d be my last big move before becoming a digital nomad somewhere abroad.

She was all in. We packed up and rode the wave to the Big Apple. She jumped head-first into auditions, applications, and new productions. Meanwhile, I was busy plotting my next move as a digital nomad, imagining her on red carpets while I explored places unknown.

Two years later, she’s still chasing that big break. She’s putting in the work, but her dreams haven’t materialized yet. I started wondering, should I stay longer in New York to help her out more? Should I put my own dreams on hold?

But here’s the kicker—I’m 57 and dealing with some chronic conditions. I can’t sit around waiting for the perfect time to start my journey. I’ve got to make my dreams happen now, because, let’s be real, I’m not getting any younger, and my health demands careful choices.

My Impending Journey to Portugal

After reading an article about a location-independent writer, a piece of me has always wanted to chase that freedom. I’m finally taking my first leap towards that dream. I’ve been accepted as an artist in residence in Portugal for two months starting at the end of September.

I thought this nomadic lifestyle would only be a fantasy because my husband wasn’t into it. Well, divorce changes things. Now, I’m packing my bags.

Still, leaving my daughter behind is gut-wrenching. She’s stepping out on her own, building her life in Brooklyn. She even found herself an apartment with friends, starting to shine on her own terms. I know she supports me leaving but the worry lingers—what if she or my older daughter need me while I’m out there and I can’t get back quickly?

Despite Her Lack of Success, I Am Leaving My Daughter Behind

But let’s be real: sometimes, you gotta step out and face your fears. Yes, my youngest might stumble without me. But she’s got friends and her big dreams. Honestly, I think it’s me who fears being alone more.

During these past two years, our journey together was a mix of important moments and times I yearned to fly solo. Time feels like it’s slipping through my fingers. I hope she sees this chapter as a crucial part of our lives someday, even if we stumbled along the way.

The Urgency of Pursuing My Nomadic Dreams

Now, it’s time to conquer the world, geographically apart but always connected. Sure, there’s anxiety—what if my chronic conditions hold me back? But that’s life. You don’t wait for the stars to align. You make your move.

In the words of any hardened New Yorker, dreams don’t wait, neither should you. It’s time to step into the unknown and see what stories unfold.

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