If you have seen the film Revolutionary Road you will recognise the Frank Wheeler syndrome. He was the guy that was planning to move to Paris, his wife, April, did all she could to support him in this idea. But he never actually left his home on Revolutionary Road. He always found a reason not to go. It was his job, things were always getting better, his wife and kids, getting buried under a sense of responsibility. In reality he couldn’t face his dreams. They had to remain there, in his head, he couldn’t build up the courage to go after them.
This great quote from the film puts this post in a nutshell:
April Wheeler: “Don’t you see? That’s the whole idea! You’ll be able to do what you should have been allowed to do seven years ago, you’ll have the time. For the first time in your life, you’ll have the time to find out what it is you actually want to do. And when you figure it out, you’ll have the time and the freedom, to start doing.”
Frank Wheeler: “This doesn’t seem very realistic.”
April Wheeler: “No, Frank. This is what’s unrealistic. It’s unrealistic for a man with a fine mind to go on working year after year at a job he can’t stand. Coming home to a place he can’t stand, to a wife who’s equally unable to stand the same things. And you know what the worst part of it is? Our whole existence here is based on this great premise that we’re special. That we’re superior to the whole thing. But we’re not. We’re just like everyone else! We bought into the same, ridiculous delusion. That we have to resign from life and settle down the moment we have children. And we’ve been punishing each other for it.”
So why don’t people go travelling, or follow any of their dreams? The reasons are usually the same old ones. I have collected them here in this video to kick you in the backside if you are still wondering/planning/not sure.
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@gphoenix
@chetaurmila
Thanks for this, Graham. Over 20 years of my life were spent under that premise of "us being special" and "one day". It really is a delusion. In retrospect I ask myself: why did I let that happen?? And more than one reason mentioned in the video qualfies… Be aware: not living your dream is costing you more than you think: your sanity! Follow your heart, Cheta Urmila
Frances, many thanks, we had great fun in Singapore doing it. I'm glad to hear you are going out and doing it, have fun and let me know how you get on.
Well done!
I love the locations.
We're one of those 'special couples' and finally this summer we will do it.
Thanks for the kick in the butt.