Changing Course: A Woman's Guide to Choosing the Cruising Life

". . . the essential first step for all couples planning to sail away; this is a must-read."--Paul and Sheryl Shard, authors of Sail Away! "Life afloat nourishes my heart, my head, body, and soul in ways that have enhanced all aspects of my life personally and professionally. I have discovered ways of sustaining my sense of purpose both on land and while cruising that have enabled me to embrace the cruising lifestyle."--Debra Ann Cantrell The human quest for change is constant. As existing dreams are realized, new dreams take their place. On one level, Changing Course is a straightforward, step-by-step examination of pursuing your partner's dreams and joining the seagoing life. On a deeper, more spiritual level, it addresses the levels of change we encounter in everyday life and how--through the experiences of numerous women who have gone before--we can rise through those levels of change to achieve ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction.Changing Course chronicles the odyssey of making a major lifestyle change from land to sea from a woman's perspective. The moving and often poignant thoughts, feelings, and experiences of more than 100 women illustrate the decision-making process that enabled most of them to move from resisting the change proposed by their partners to embracing the cruising life. It is an inspiring examination of the highs, lows, and day-to-day drama of changing one's life in a fundamental way. From the common fears that prevent individuals from taking risks to the interpersonal dynamics that affect couples and relationships, this one-of-a-kind book explores the phenomenon of change and the growing lifestyle change movement. This thought-provoking and highly personal book explores what women stand to gain when they set forth on such a journey--and what they stand to lose if they do not.

Women who have lived the cruising life share their advice, tell their stories, and relive their adventures

What if your life partner's dream is your nightmare? Debra Ann Cantrell faced just that dilemma when her husband proposed living and cruising on a boat. She would lose a career she loved and, she feared, everything by which she'd defined herself. She wondered how others before her had made this decision, and what had happened to them, and decided to explore the process of life change by studying more than 100 women, over a five-year period, whose partners had proposed the cruising life. Changing Course is the first decision-making guide written specifically for women considering leaving their careers, friends, and everyday life to join their partners at sea, and it offers valuable guidance for anyone considering a major lifestyle change.

"So your partner wants to go cruising, and you don't know what you want. Whether you find the idea appealing or appalling, you're probably struggling with the thought of leaving behind a home, community, family, and friends you love. You may face a variety of fears and concerns, some of which you feel you can talk to your partner about and some you haven't admitted to anyone but yourself. You wish you knew more about what cruising has to offer and others' experiences dealing with this major lifestyle change. You are not alone. Changing Course is the first book that honestly evaluates the transition to life afloat."--Beth Leonard, author of The Voyager's Handbook