In Porto, we booked our train journey back to NL. On October 15th, we take the train from Barcelona to Rotterdam – so the end of this amazing journey is now really in sight. Almost at the same time, Geertrui, my sister, asked what it’s like to be together for 7 months. she adds: although you are up to it. I reply quickly and truthfully, that being together is great, that it is no different from daily life / we indeed are good together. Later I realise that is a funny answer. Of course it’s different from daily life if only because we normally don’t spend so much time together. It is, however, like at home, good to be together, it feels safe. At the same time we have the same kind of things that teeter. Our difference in pace, or more exact difference in dealing with time/priorities. Oscar’s first premise is: keep going. Get up, pack bikes; everything according to standard operating procedures. I take more time – do another app or 2, read what’s going on in the world – seek contact and/or inspiration or, like now, take notes for a blog – and look at every situation for what it is (not bad, but sometimes less efficient). We know this about each other and so things usually go well but also because we know it sometimes irritates. So what is different after all these months? We start talking about it. We only had a few arguments. Is that because we have become so solution-oriented? Oscar says that when he finds himself getting annoyed, he realises it’s because of his shortcoming. Shortcoming? I don’t recognise that and I wouldn’t choose that word. We talk further and recognise each other’s qualities: goal- and action-oriented vs relaxed overlooking. One without the other would get us into trouble. Oscar would race on until he would be overstressed. I would take much longer and therefore stay in one place more often. Both we would value less than what we do now. At the same time, we find that our roles magnify each other. When we are not together, we are both more all-round.
Also we notice that our irritations evolve in a less explosive manner. We both can reflect more on the situation, ourselves and each other; appreciate each other’s qualities. I notice that I start-up easier from a need to contribute (not a new one either) and the confidence that there is time. Oscar notices that he hasn’t traditionally learned that writing and reflecting can also be a form of contributing to the world and now experiences that as an enrichment. I think that process has started earlier.
All in all, we don’t experience major problems, if anything, irritation s pass faster, we know it doesn’t matter/has no major impact. It even helps us deal with unexpected situations.
In short: our journey will continue
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