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| This is how I feel right now. |
The time has come to share my
news! I will be embarking on a “round
the world” trip leaving my current life behind. (Commonly known as a “RTW” in the traveler/blogger
world.) I guess I should correct myself, mine might not actually be a RTW, it’s more like an AOTW, all over the world, I haven’t decided if I
am going to circumnavigate, a key component to a RTW. So basically I am
flinging off my current circumstances and jumping off a cliff into the sea of
full time travel for a year-ish (timing always subject to change). I have taken to the phrase “disassembling my
life” because it seems to describe exactly what I am feeling and doing right
now. (I’ll discuss the particulars of
that in my next post.)
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| Excited to do some of this again, train writing. |
How did this happen? It started with the decision to leave my job. I have been unhappy for some time, feeling as
though I had reached my ceiling in my position and company.
It came to a head last November (2012), and by the end of November, my mind was
all but made up. By December I was actively projecting and planning. Now most
people would just switch jobs and try to get a different position, that is obviously
the logical thing to do, especially in the current economic times. But me, I’m looking for more than a new position,
I am looking to create a whole different lifestyle that encompasses the better parts of myself
and uses my talents and passions in a more creative way. To some this may sound like pie in the sky, an
idealistic naive idea, I am aware of how it sounds. To others it might sound
commonplace (I’m talking to you travel blogging community). All I know is that it feels right to set back
out on the road long term to explore, write and photograph all of those things
that help me tick. I need to fuel the
anthropologist in me and study people and culture on whatever level I can. In
doing so, I not only enrich myself but hopefully inspire others to do the same
and see the world outside their little corner of the globe, to take an interest
in everyone they find around them at home and abroad. It’s about the human
interaction as much as it is about the sights, sounds and smells. We can become
so complacent in our routine at home, wherever that is, that we never stop to
explore the people and stories around us. Travel is about curiosity as much as
it is about taking an interest in something you normally wouldn’t.
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| One of my favorite sounds, old school train boards clicking. |
As I thought about writing up
this announcement a lot of things came to mind. It caused me to think even more deeply about the reasons I am
going, what I am doing, and what I am leaving behind. I’ve thought about all of them, and I feel all
of them, but it is different when you endeavor to write it up and share it with
people. You have to ask yourself, what your
public reasons are and what your private reasons are and which ones of each you are willing to share. The following are just a few reasons currently in my brain.
(Note: this is not a goals list that is
a whole other type of post.)
-
I I have always wanted to travel all over the world. Ever since I can remember I have looked at the globe longingly and plotted how to get everywhere. I have had a globe or huge map since the time I could read. I don’t know if this was me wanting it or my parents being awesome and wanting me to get an idea of how small I was/am in comparison to the world at a young age. Or maybe they just gave them to me so that I could get an idea of where my father’s country was in relation to us, who knows, but it was certainly the first catalyst. These are probably the same reasons why I still love maps and globes today.
I I have always wanted to travel all over the world. Ever since I can remember I have looked at the globe longingly and plotted how to get everywhere. I have had a globe or huge map since the time I could read. I don’t know if this was me wanting it or my parents being awesome and wanting me to get an idea of how small I was/am in comparison to the world at a young age. Or maybe they just gave them to me so that I could get an idea of where my father’s country was in relation to us, who knows, but it was certainly the first catalyst. These are probably the same reasons why I still love maps and globes today.
-
This is
the time. I am in a unique position
in my life to have the ability to do this right now. I have been working for a while-ish now and
all of the signs in my life are screaming that this is the time. I am
unattached, which is quite uncommon for someone my age and I have miraculously
paid off all of my debt. I have no desire to own property at this point, and am
not sure if I will ever want to. I am emotionally ready to embark on this type
of journey, and all of my trainings and classes and everything else have ended,
seemingly all at once to open up some space for this type of life change.
- I want to
see the world through my eyes and everyone else’s. This is probably the most
important one right now. I want to see,
smell, speak, hear, photograph, write and as much of the world as I can. I want to hear more stories, I want to meet
people, I want to help people, I want to inspire people to travel and I want to
roll around in the grass.
-
I want to
expand my blog. This is mostly a secondary reason, almost a by-product of
the other reasons. I like to write and photograph on the road… a lot. As such, I think expanding the
blog is a great avenue to record, remember, and try to make a few bucks on the
road (highly unlikely, but I am willing to try.) I have always liked the idea
of sharing adventures on the road with those back home and the blog is a great
way to do it. That is the whole reason I initially started the blog in 2007. I also like the idea of the experiences and
ideas I have on the road reaching a wider audience than family and friends. I
like this idea because if just one person hits the road as a result of
something I said or photographed, that is thrilling. I think lots of people are
interested and don’t know where to start, so if they see someone they know, or
a friend of a friend of a friend who is doing it, it makes it seem more
possible, more in reach. I think the entire population of the world can be
enriched by people exploring countries and cultures that are different than
their own. You never know what someone will be inspired to do after
travel. Will they be inspired to open a
non-profit, join the Peace Corps (or something like it), create a business that
brings untold opportunity to an area that didn’t have it before, the
possibilities are endless and learning on the road can open up a part of you
that you never knew existed. This is
just one of the many reasons I encourage everyone I know to travel, be curious,
and explore. I’m not just an
international travel proponent, I believe in traveling in your own backyard
too. Especially if you are from the States. There are a million and one
opportunities to experience different cultures at home all over the country,
even in the next city or town. Get curious!
- I want to
create a new life for myself. There
is absolutely nothing wrong with my life, I am incredibly blessed. I start each day in gratitude for everything
I have and have already done. I believe
that in creating a location independent lifestyle for myself for a while, I can
delve into new opportunities and experiences. I can create. I want to create.
This means a lot of different things to me, art, photography, writing, and a
whole host of others. I’ll expand on this more once I get on the road.
- I need to
get out of my comfort zone. Over the past 6 years, specifically, I have become complacent
and sleepy with routine. I need to know that I can live another lifestyle and
still survive. I know there are many different ways to live life and I want to
experience another one. I want to continue to learn and grow, and for me that
always happens to a great degree when I am out of my comfort zone. In
undertaking a long term RTW, I will be in a different galaxy from my comfort zone
and I am interested to see what that brings up. A lot of people might think I
am running away, which is often thought of long term travelers, but I don’t see
it that way. I see myself running towards life and the world. Running towards a
more educated, creative and informed version of myself, mentally, physically
and emotionally. I don’t believe I am looking for something, I believe I am creating
something.
This quote sums it all up right
now.
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about
creating yourself."
~ George Bernard Shaw
I hope you will all follow along on this wild
adventure that starts in August.
Thanks for reading!
