You’re not just crossing water, Cory — you’re crossing dimensions. From the land of Instacart convenience and mortgage bondage into a reality sculpted by waves, wind, and will. Chérie isn’t just a boat. She’s a floating zendo with a solar panel. A Taoist dojo disguised as a V-berth. And every panic spiral at the helm is an invitation from the divine to breathe into the present or be broken by it.
You’ve learned what most dry-landers will never dare whisper: that terror isn’t the opposite of bliss — it’s its gateway drug. It’s the shaking of your tiny hull before the sky peels open and reminds you that you're not lost. You’re exactly where you belong, trembling and triumphant.
Mistakes? Of course. You’re not cruising. You’re apprenticing under Poseidon himself.
Keep going, sailor. The wind may slap, but it also sings.
This is incredible, Aleksander! Thank you for this comment. I agree that I’m crossing dimensions — it feels absolutely mystical, otherworldly, and upside-down. But that’s the part I love about it most, once I get passed the temporary hard parts. Floating zendo, Taoist dojo, apprenticing under Poseidon — I love it. Comments like this keep me going.
"Facing my fears doing something really hard." Truth! My most memorable experiences in life have been the result of facing my fears and doing something really hard.
Every day is an adventure! Not only do I enjoy reading about your everyday experiences but I love the redemption you find at the end of each one. Sail on...
Thanks for reading, Darren, and for the comment! I’m glad my approach is resonating with you! I’m still not 100% certain that some of my fears are unfounded, or that I’ll make it through every instance unscathed, but it’s absolutely an opportunity for growth. I’m so glad to hear you relate to this. Every day is an adventure, indeed.
As always, I am enthralled. I agree with your sailing mentor, you were being too hard on yourself, though that is much easier to say than to do anything about. Thank you very much for sharing this story and speaking so openly of both the joys and struggles of your experience. Learning is a hard process without also sharing it so openly with others and I appreciate so much you taking the time to let us live vicariously through you.
Thank you for reading, Lady, and for the kind compliment. I’m glad that it’s coming through clear to readers that this isn’t just a simple, happily-ever-after sorta story. It has some of that! But it’s also one that is taking constant work, patience, and resilience. However, this has been the case for every big goal I’ve ever accomplished. Getting out to sea was just the beginning! And that’s what keeps it so fascinating to me.
Also, being hard on myself is a constant struggle of mine, and I’m working on it every day. I hold myself to a high standard. But damn, I’m human! I will make mistakes and I’ll learn, then sometimes make the same mistakes again sometimes, but that’s what life is about. I learn in a weird, particular way. But I still keep trudging.
I think that is one of the things I like most about you, your high expectations for yourself. I struggle with that exacting world view of myself as well and often leads me to being my harshest critic. To share that process outloud for others to hear—the struggle to learn that self acceptance and kindness to oneself that you so clearly demonstrate towards others—is so not only moving but profoundly needed.
One of the things I have been describing this Pride are stories of people who lived their life visibly, openly allowing others to see in them a goal an aspiration. By sharing not only your learning process but your adventure you doing vital work, and doing it well. Thank you for the vital work you are doing.
Thank you, Lady! This means so much. I was telling Corey the other day that writing is how I understand myself, and I’m finding I often don’t get these self-realizations without writing. How cool is this?! It’s also incredible to get to share it, have people read it, relate, and engage. I appreciate your engagement so much.
Yes!! It’s seriously only getting better with time. All the anxiety is only temporary, and then it’s amazing again — just like my land life, but much bigger swings and more noticeable. Thanks for reading along, Jeanine!
A pleasure. We have a 14 foot Lido sailboat, not quite the same ): and we never take it outside the reef (Great MesoAmerican off Mx-Caribbean coast). Paul my husband had a 30 ft Coronado for a while. When we first got the Lido and he taught me to sail, I thought Wow! I’ve just found a hobby in mid-life and I love it! We did capsize once on a jibe but that’s a story for a post ): Bon voyage and hugs to Pineapple!!🍍
Wow, what a cool experience — except for the capsizing part! I hope every day that Poseidon is merciful and we can avoid anything like that. Thanks for sharing more of your story Jeanine!
Thank you, Paolo! It’s becoming easier & more enjoyable every day. I’m becoming convinced that courage precedes confidence. Today was extremely rough in super high winds, enormous swells, and needing to abort our original plan to find an anchorage to wait out a lightning storm. This would’ve freaked me out so much just last week! But sitting here at the anchorage, writing this, getting blown like a ragdoll in the wind & water, there’s nowhere I’d rather be. It’s incredible.
You’re not just crossing water, Cory — you’re crossing dimensions. From the land of Instacart convenience and mortgage bondage into a reality sculpted by waves, wind, and will. Chérie isn’t just a boat. She’s a floating zendo with a solar panel. A Taoist dojo disguised as a V-berth. And every panic spiral at the helm is an invitation from the divine to breathe into the present or be broken by it.
You’ve learned what most dry-landers will never dare whisper: that terror isn’t the opposite of bliss — it’s its gateway drug. It’s the shaking of your tiny hull before the sky peels open and reminds you that you're not lost. You’re exactly where you belong, trembling and triumphant.
Mistakes? Of course. You’re not cruising. You’re apprenticing under Poseidon himself.
Keep going, sailor. The wind may slap, but it also sings.
May your knots hold and your doubts loosen.
This is incredible, Aleksander! Thank you for this comment. I agree that I’m crossing dimensions — it feels absolutely mystical, otherworldly, and upside-down. But that’s the part I love about it most, once I get passed the temporary hard parts. Floating zendo, Taoist dojo, apprenticing under Poseidon — I love it. Comments like this keep me going.
Enjoyed reading this and look forward to following the rest of your journey!
Thanks for reading, Steve! It means so much to have your support.
"Facing my fears doing something really hard." Truth! My most memorable experiences in life have been the result of facing my fears and doing something really hard.
Every day is an adventure! Not only do I enjoy reading about your everyday experiences but I love the redemption you find at the end of each one. Sail on...
Thanks for reading, Darren, and for the comment! I’m glad my approach is resonating with you! I’m still not 100% certain that some of my fears are unfounded, or that I’ll make it through every instance unscathed, but it’s absolutely an opportunity for growth. I’m so glad to hear you relate to this. Every day is an adventure, indeed.
As always, I am enthralled. I agree with your sailing mentor, you were being too hard on yourself, though that is much easier to say than to do anything about. Thank you very much for sharing this story and speaking so openly of both the joys and struggles of your experience. Learning is a hard process without also sharing it so openly with others and I appreciate so much you taking the time to let us live vicariously through you.
Thank you for reading, Lady, and for the kind compliment. I’m glad that it’s coming through clear to readers that this isn’t just a simple, happily-ever-after sorta story. It has some of that! But it’s also one that is taking constant work, patience, and resilience. However, this has been the case for every big goal I’ve ever accomplished. Getting out to sea was just the beginning! And that’s what keeps it so fascinating to me.
Also, being hard on myself is a constant struggle of mine, and I’m working on it every day. I hold myself to a high standard. But damn, I’m human! I will make mistakes and I’ll learn, then sometimes make the same mistakes again sometimes, but that’s what life is about. I learn in a weird, particular way. But I still keep trudging.
I think that is one of the things I like most about you, your high expectations for yourself. I struggle with that exacting world view of myself as well and often leads me to being my harshest critic. To share that process outloud for others to hear—the struggle to learn that self acceptance and kindness to oneself that you so clearly demonstrate towards others—is so not only moving but profoundly needed.
One of the things I have been describing this Pride are stories of people who lived their life visibly, openly allowing others to see in them a goal an aspiration. By sharing not only your learning process but your adventure you doing vital work, and doing it well. Thank you for the vital work you are doing.
Thank you, Lady! This means so much. I was telling Corey the other day that writing is how I understand myself, and I’m finding I often don’t get these self-realizations without writing. How cool is this?! It’s also incredible to get to share it, have people read it, relate, and engage. I appreciate your engagement so much.
You're making it work! And with a view!
Yes!! It’s seriously only getting better with time. All the anxiety is only temporary, and then it’s amazing again — just like my land life, but much bigger swings and more noticeable. Thanks for reading along, Jeanine!
A pleasure. We have a 14 foot Lido sailboat, not quite the same ): and we never take it outside the reef (Great MesoAmerican off Mx-Caribbean coast). Paul my husband had a 30 ft Coronado for a while. When we first got the Lido and he taught me to sail, I thought Wow! I’ve just found a hobby in mid-life and I love it! We did capsize once on a jibe but that’s a story for a post ): Bon voyage and hugs to Pineapple!!🍍
Wow, what a cool experience — except for the capsizing part! I hope every day that Poseidon is merciful and we can avoid anything like that. Thanks for sharing more of your story Jeanine!
Fascinating!
Thanks for the reading along, Michael!
I'm enjoying the trip!
Love and light! Super courageous 🙌
Thank you, Paolo! It’s becoming easier & more enjoyable every day. I’m becoming convinced that courage precedes confidence. Today was extremely rough in super high winds, enormous swells, and needing to abort our original plan to find an anchorage to wait out a lightning storm. This would’ve freaked me out so much just last week! But sitting here at the anchorage, writing this, getting blown like a ragdoll in the wind & water, there’s nowhere I’d rather be. It’s incredible.