Wave by Wave – Part 8
Wave by Wave is the title of my new book, where I share how a major life change – from a busy life in Stockholm to living and sailing around the world with my husband – transformed me.
In this article series, I reflect on our journey and share my most important insights, wave by wave. This one is about exploring the borderland – the edges – where the unknown and development resides.
The Unknown
I was walking on the beach, feeling the warm sand beneath my bare feet. I looked at the shells and stones – suddenly one of them caught my attention and I bent down and picked it up. I looked at it a little closer – saw the shape, the colour, the pattern. Felt the smoothness and warmth before I let it go.
I continued, my eyes searching for the end of the beach – where the rocks began, and I could no longer see what was around the corner. That is where the unknown begins!
Are you like me, who loves to explore the new and unknown?
On the outside as well as on the inside. Let’s explore the borderland.
The Comfort Zone
When we stick to what we know and are used to, we used to call it “being in our comfort zone”. The Baltic Sea was our geographical comfort zone for twenty years of holiday sailing. Stockholm was both my birthplace and hometown. Coaching was my profession. I spoke the same language as everyone else. I knew where to find tasty cheese to a good prize, and a lot of other things.
Where Was the Risk?
I played it safe. Certainly not all the time, but after 20 years I felt very experienced in many ways. My life was set up like an autopilot. I knew the fastest way to cycle down to the office. I had habits and routines for most things. We returned to the same places year after year. I couldn’t see that my way of living in itself was a risk.
The Calling
One summer, the 21st together, we got a calling to do something new. To leave everything for living and sailing around the world.
Out on the Oceans
Suddenly we had left the Baltic Sea, passed the Kiel Canal and found ourselves out in the big waves of the North Sea. It was new. From then on, everything would be new. We passed not only many different countries, but also oceans.
The oceans are the opposite of a city. They are vast, deep, unknown, endless and very pure and raw nature. Being surrounded by this magnificence and beauty day after day has broadened my own horizon of who I am and what life is. There are other rules out there. The stars, the moon and the sun cannot be ignored. They show us the way. There is open space everywhere. It is very clear that we belong to something bigger.
In the Borderland We Find the New
The vast expanse of the ocean, or the peak of a mountain with its many perspectives, are wonderful reminders for all of us to look further and see more possibilities. But even when the horizon/edge/next corner is very close, I invite you to take a step closer and explore the very edge that lies before you. There is guaranteed to be something new to explore right there. From different angles, below, above, behind, closer or far away. What happens when you touch it, smell it, see it?
Our inner edges are our beliefs about what is possible, and not in life. Emotions, like fear, often show us where our next breakthrough will come. Move with the flow. Take small steps with high presence.
Allow yourself to stay in wonder at the presence of something new.
Be curious about the edges
– that is where you will explore something new and develop.
Let’s check in – what are you curious on right now?
Name where the unknown starts. Ready to explore something new?
Welcome to share what you are exploring.
Sunny regards from Anna at Tenerife
17 July 2025
P.S. Would you like to explore this topic in a coaching call?
Welcome to reach out anna@avalona.se
Wave by Wave is available on Adlibris and Amazon.
Explore the full Wave by Wave series:
Part 1 – Commitment Is Crucial
Part 2 – A Life We Love
Part 3 – Letting Go and Lighten Up
Part 4 – Inviting the New
Part 5 – Saying Yes to Challenges
Part 6 – Slow Down and Get Connected
Part 7 – When We Finally Cracked the Code