Chapter 1: Embracing the Extra Day

What if this additional day could significantly impact your life?

Last year, on February 29th, I found myself on a bus headed to Spain. I hadn’t intentionally aimed to travel on this unique leap day; it was merely a coincidence that I was en route to a TEFL course in San Sebastian, which commenced on March 1st. This teaching opportunity was a crucial step in fulfilling a promise I made to myself upon returning from an Erasmus experience in Italy two decades ago: to live in Europe again "one day."

My choice of San Sebastian was influenced by a friend's vacation there, while I selected that month because I had just wrapped up a work contract and hadn’t yet secured a new position. The urgency of the situation intensified with Brexit looming, making it clear that if I wasn’t residing in Europe by the end of that year, my dream of living there might fade away. There’s nothing quite like a firm deadline to spur me into action.

The 29th of February often goes unnoticed—unless you were born on that date, it typically passes with little fanfare. However, on that morning, as I faced a full day of travel ahead, I pondered its significance. I had read an article suggesting that this leap day should be viewed as a gift—a chance to embark on something extraordinary. By sheer luck, I was on this pivotal day, taking my first steps toward a goal I had been contemplating for two decades.

As I gazed out at the changing landscapes, from the French countryside to the Pyrenees, I reflected on how frequently we postpone our ambitions, labeling them as "one day." Often, that "one day" slips away, and we find ourselves feeling it’s too late to act. Yet, every four years, we are gifted an extra day—an opportunity without conditions. This idea lingered in my thoughts: we could view this day as a unique chance to pursue something remarkable, to shift our lives in a new direction, or simply to tackle something we’ve long postponed.

Four years later, I still reside in Spain (though I’ve discovered that the sunny allure of Valencia suits me far better than the delicious cuisine and dreary weather of San Sebastian). The Mediterranean lifestyle I envisioned was waiting for me all along, curious about my hesitation.

Now, the 29th of February has arrived once more. Time has flown by, and upon waking today, I reflected on my journey and asked myself, "What’s that thing you’ve been saying you’ll do ‘one day’ that remains undone? Could today finally be that day?"

As the clock neared midnight on February 29th, I realized I was at last beginning to tackle something I’ve been postponing for four years: writing. My reasons for delay are plentiful, but with only moments left to complete this article, I’ll simply note that my inner critic has been insisting my writing would be subpar, that I’m merely fantasizing about my writing abilities. Yet, I countered, "If I don’t begin now, in a month you’ll scold me for not acting on this thought and for my inaction."

So, with just one minute to spare before my self-imposed deadline, I hereby commit to writing and publishing something (anything!) weekly. Each piece must be at least one page long. The quality doesn’t matter; what counts is that I share it publicly.

Every Thursday. Weekly. Let’s see if I can maintain this commitment until month’s end! At the very least, I’ll be able to look back in four years and affirm that I used my "one day" to finally pursue that long-awaited goal.

What’s on your "One Day" list? And when will that day come for you?

Section 1.1: The Significance of Leap Year

February 29th serves as a reminder of the extraordinary potential within each of us to take action. This unique day encourages reflection and motivates us to transform our aspirations into reality.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Journey Begins

Chapter 2: Reflecting on Progress

The video titled "Leap Day! February 29th 2024" explores the potential transformations that can occur when we seize the opportunity of an extra day. It encourages viewers to reflect on their own aspirations and take meaningful action.