Travel. Seeing the world. “GETTING OUT THERE”.
Regardless of duration, budget or destination the decision to travel is consistently topped as one of the finest lifestyle choices to make. Few who have wandered regret it and most mourn their decision not to have started their journey sooner. Those whom have travelled eulogise the experience as transformative, vouching that time spent on the road awakens the soul and broadens the mind. Though sometimes tough, I am yet to hear of a backpacker who wishes they hadn’t strayed from the known.
A week from beginining my own travelling adventure I find myself wondering what these next few months will hold for me. How living out a rucksack from one day to the next will change my outlook on life, the sights I will see and people I will meet, as well as where this trip will take me.
I would be lying if I said there weren’t moments of self-doubt, sometimes the what if’s are deafening, particularly late at night when my fears most trouble me. Though every blog I read fills me with greater resolve that my trip will be the making of me, as it creeps closer to my leaving date the reality of what I’m about to do is finally starting to hit. Whilst I have become well-versed in explaining my travel plans to enqirers and speak passionately about the places I long to visit, things I want to do and see, the truth of the matter is my trip still feels very abstract to me. Despite finishing my job, booking my flights and packing up my belongings, I still can’t quite believe
In part, this is because my heart has yearned for this moment for so long. Since my early years of holidaying abroad I have always wanted to explore the world beyond my birthplace. Time spent venturing with friends and family, in addition to my days at university, has instilled a thirst for the new and exciting. Though the places I grew up will invariably be a home to me, my soul continues to crave the things outside my comfort zone. Life, no matter how rich in years, will always be too short for me, equally planet Earth is far too big, that I could never hang my hat in one place and leave my passport alone.
Wanderlust, they diagnose it:
(n.) the irresistable, uncurable desire to travel or wander.
Some even argue it is in our DNA!
Wanderlust gene on not, something in my spirit has given me itchy feet and I need to give into it’s demands and roam free.
People assure me there is no greater time than the present for me to spread my wings. And they’re right. I am young (ish), single and without the shackles of adulthood (job, morgage, kids)- there will never be a time more perfect than this. Still, it doesn’t mean that goodbyes aren’t hard to make. Quite the opposite infact, they are gutwrenchingly awful, something I absolutely hate, hate, HATE. Leaving friends and family behind is like a spear to my heart but this is a one hardship that will never change. If anything it will become more painful the longer I hesitate.
The truth of the matter is there will always be a reason for me to delay, but for my own soul and sanity my need to explore the world is something that must not wait. Sure I could hang around a bit longer, save more money, do more research, dream up more solid plans but I need to be the master of my own destiny NOW and stop putting off for tomorrow the things I should be doing today. Afterall your life is the combination of how you spend your days. I don’t need magic to dispappear just the courage to hop on a plane and choose a destination. This said, I have made a pact to myself to be selfish and put my travelling needs first for a change.
The diva in me has spoken and I am determined to carpe that diem.
Nothing can substitute personal experience.
Instead of devouring others’ travelling blogs, Ive decided to create my own.
Wish me luck as I embark on this crazy, exciting adventure! *gulp*
I intend to keep you all posetd as I create memories all over the globe.
Join me on my road to new pastures as I voyage on this rollercoaster of personal discovery!