Embrace the discomfort of growth

The main lesson from the Atlantic crossing is this. Growth requires friction. And friction usually hurts. Lean in to it. Welcome it. Love it.

Day 55: Speightstown, Barbados. Yesterday morning, while the crew where resting below deck, the almost indiscernible gray line of land became visible on the horizon, according to the GPS, some 30 nautical miles off the coast of Barbados. We have finally made it across the Atlantic Ocean—by sail and on our own: crazy idea accomplished. I’ve had high expectations that the journey would somehow transform me into a stoic master (especially since we’ve felt so guided by the universe)—which still hasn’t happened (yes, it was a long shot).

But the waves and sea have put something in motion. I recently read that courage feels like doubt, frustration, and second-guessing yourself. And there has been a lot of that. So if anything, the journey has made us brave. I have approached it as a detox from the rhythms of urban life, doom-scrolling, sleeping aids, antidepressants, and all the crutches and distractions that I’ve come to rely on to suppress the fact that life is not perfect. Perhaps not surprisingly, when the distractions are gone, you meet your own, unfiltered subconscious and have to find other ways to cope.

So yes, no stoic yet, but the Atlantic has been a great teacher, and we’re getting there—let’s put it that way. Now we’re gonna eat pizza, drink beer, and spend time on solid ground, exploring Barbados, which, from sea at least, looks surprisingly similar to Finnøy—a small agricultural island community on the fjord of my hometown in Norway (except for the palms, white sand, and turquoise waters). Cheers, and if you got this far: kudos!