I Want Breathing Space

How a car seat, an open road, and a small dog reminded me who I was.

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Dear You,

“I want breathing space.”

Every day was the same.
Eat. Dress. Walk Miss Evie.

Put out fires at work.
As a Realtor, I was “on call” 24 hours a day.

All I wanted was some breathing space.
Time for myself.
Time to remember what Carolyn wanted
what she yearned for.

But I got so caught up in the doing
I forgot who I was.

So I headed to the place that always gave me back to myself:
behind the wheel of my car.

Driving has always been my solace.
The wide open highway,
the smell of Florida air,
the reminder that I was still me.

I’d head down to my car, strapped Miss Evie in her car seat,
and many times cross Alligator Alley
to the other side of Florida.

We’d wander the streets of Naples,
peeking at closed doors,
letting curiosity lead my way.

Those moments brought me back to Carolyn
the adventurizer,
the one who could simply be
in the moment.

If this feels like you… if you’ve been craving breathing space too… let’s talk.
No pressure.
Just a simple conversation.

Sometimes the smallest step, saying it out loud, exploring it with someone who’s walked the path well is how change begins.

The more you know yourself, the more clearly you see the life waiting for you.

Still here,
Carolyn

PS: I read every reply. No team, no automation — just me.