It might seem like a small thing, but for the first time in my life, I’m learning a new language (Portuguese). This process is unlocking a part of me I didn’t even know existed. It’s shifting my perspective. Showing me possibilities I hadn’t dared to imagine before. In many ways, it’s not just about words and phrases. It’s about seeing the world differently. About stepping beyond the limits I once set for myself.

I used to believe that stepping into something unknown meant stepping into uncertainty. But I’m learning that it can also mean stepping into possibility. Some of the most incredible experiences happen when I stop hesitating and just say yes.

We have a choice. To live fully. To take chances. To dream. Not with success or failure in mind, but simply for the experience of living. If I could have embraced one thing sooner, it would be the belief that I am capable of more than I thought. That exploring the world isn’t something reserved for other people. It’s something I was meant to do too. There’s so much beauty waiting beyond the small realities we build for ourselves.

We are all capable of expanding our horizons. Of stepping outside the comfort zones that keep us confined. For years, I believed I wasn’t capable or worthy of seeing the world. Breaking free from that mindset has been the best thing I’ve done for myself. But I didn’t do it alone. The inspiration and encouragement of those around me helped push me forward. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

One of my biggest travel dreams was visiting Europe. I always imagined my first destination would be Italy or France. Yet life led me to Portugal instead. And now, standing here, I know this was exactly where I was meant to be. From the moment I set foot in Portugal, I felt it. An undeniable beauty and peace. And with it, something within me stirred. A hunger. A desire. A need to learn. To expand my mind and dreams. To experience more of this world and share that experience with others.

I don’t know exactly what all of this means yet, but I’m embracing this mindset. Because, in all honesty, I haven’t been in the best place emotionally or mentally. Maybe you know that feeling. The weight of uncertainty. The way it dims everything around you. But for the first time in a long while, I see a light breaking through. Maybe that light has been there all along. Waiting for me to take a step. To notice it. To believe in it.

I’ll sum up with a Portuguese saying I recently came across: “Tudo vale a pena quando an alma não é pequena.” This well-known quote from Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa translates to, “Everything is worth it when the soul is not small.” It speaks to the idea that with an open heart and a willing spirit, any journey or endeavor becomes meaningful.