Sometimes one negative experience can turn into prolonged—and unnecessary—avoidance.

An abandoned lifelong dream or passion can be worth re-examining.

An inner voice may nudge you to turn back toward something you once loved.

Years ago, I spent a milestone birthday week in Florence and experienced unbearable jet lag.

Smartphones weren’t a thing, and the only available internet connection was a computer in a locked common area. I’d long finished the couple of books I’d brought and spent my nights flipping through indecipherable, depressing Italian television channels.

My mother is European. I grew up traveling to Europe every few years to see her family. I first set foot in Italy on a backpacking trip with my boyfriend in medical school. I was instantly captivated. A dream of living there one day was born, and I soon returned with friends and even a couple of times on my own.

But after the experience in Florence, I wrote off........

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