I am feeling really mellow and content about being in Vienna right now.
This is an unusual phase for me to be in. I am not a mellow person. I climb the walls with boredom if there isn’t something changing, shifting, altering, challenging, or kick my butt. I usually push myself. I ask myself what scares me, and then dive in and do it. I love a good thrill.
I think this is the necessary make-up of an expat. You have to love pushing yourself. You have to love seeking out the challenge and conquering it. If you shy away from the difficult, you will be overwhelmed by being an expat, because at the beginning, everything is difficult.
After three years of difficult however, I think my challenge meter has filled, and I can finally settle down for a bit. Bask in the glory of this particular challenge being conquered. Enjoy feeling mellow and content.
To be honest though, I am wondering how long I will tolerate mellow and content before they turn into boredom.
I equate a challenge with a mental image. A pair if dice. I know when I am ready for a challenge when I mentally pick up those dice and start rattling them around in my hand. I feel my heart pound. I feel my fingers tingle with anticipation. I feel the smile creep over my face. Right now the dice are somewhere other than in my hand. I pick them up periodically. They don’t feel right. I put them away again. I am content.
