A compelling memoir about opting for adventure instead of motherhood, and the lifelong outcomes of that choice.Instead captures Maria Coffey-s adventurous life through her biggest decisions along the way, including the decision not to have children. It-s a vivid travelogue, a love story, and a personal commentary on the risks and rewards of choosing unconventional paths.
After two traumatic experiences during her twenties - a near-drowning in Morocco and her boyfriend-s death on Mount Everest - Maria determines to seize every day and explore the world. Mixed with her desire for freedom is a new fear of loss, which convinces her against parenthood. She falls in love with Dag, who shares her dreams, and they begin creating a life of adventure. There is one snag: he wants children and thinks they could include them in their wild exploits.
Instead follows Maria-s trajectory as she shares her guilt-ridden relationship with her Irish Catholic mother; h
