I was born in a small village where you can count the number of houses with your two hands. We all went to the same school… I never felt I was from there but time has taught me to value more the peaceful place where I was born.
My parents let me “fly!” at a very young age. When I told my mother that I wanted to study Drama in Lisbon, at 15 years old, she did not say no. In 2007, I was taking the train to Lisbon (2h50 journey), the great city, every week. This might seem normal today but at the time, it was a big DEAL.
That adventure opened my eyes but also made me feel: from others perspective: the girl from the province; from people around me: the girl with not much in her head.
In 2009, when I finally settled in Lisbon, my capital was no longer the unknown city of the past, but I was no longer the same 15 years old girl. Moving to Lisbon was good but not amazing. I always had the impression there was something missing… Only a year later when I flew to the United States for the first time, everything changed. Suddenly, Lisbon was way to small for me. – Obviously, btw I did not figure all this out. I actually felt very lost and even my parents regret a bit had given me that opportunity. I was so different from before, they used to say.
In 2011, moving to Paris gave me the taste of a new life I was looking for. Moving to another country meant starting from scratch; Begin fully myself without prejudice; Being free from friends and people’s opinions. Some say that we need to die to reach another life, I believe that moving to another country is almost that.
Today, I am about to start a new adventure (one more), the adventure of building a new person, a new house, a new family, and a new group of friends away from everything and everyone.
If I am scared? OF COURSE, I AM. There are days that anxiety does not let me sleep. There are days that dreams take over my hours. I know that this is what makes me feel alive. This adrenaline, this newness, this constant change … AND Because of it, I continue to dream and especially, chase my dreams.
After France and Australia, I can’t wait for the United States. As a lady I met in Punta del Este, Uruguay, once said to me: “you do not want to lose anything…” – And you know what: If it is to live, then live it fully.
Beijinho,
Daniela