Traveling Gave Me a New Perspective I Didn't Know I Needed.
Eight months ago a friend and I spontaneously booked tickets to Paris. I am usually a spontaneous person and don’t typically make plans or think things through but looking back, this has got to be the most spontaneous decision I’ve made since turning 22. And I don’t regret it! It’s now been a week since I went to Paris and I can proudly say I’ve set foot in four countries within two weeks! (If you’re curious, I traveled to Iceland, France, the United Kingdom and Italy).
A few months before this trip, I was beginning to feel restless and wasn’t sure what direction my life was going. I mean, I have a wonderful career with a job I love, I’m healthy and I have an amazing support system. Yet, something just never felt... right. And I dislike this train of thought, as it sets a timeline on life, but I couldn’t see who I would be or what I would be doing in 5 years. To me, that was scary. And I guess that’s all a part of growing up, you never really know. However, after all of this thinking I realized I wasn’t truly living my life for myself. I was constantly living it for others; have you ever felt this way?
As a twenty-something woman who graduated college a year and a half ago, my life was constantly on someone else’s timeline: I was matching my personal schedule with that of my professional schedule; my role as the family breadwinner (partially related to my identity as a Hmong daughter, which I will share in a later post); and social expectations of what a twenty-something woman should be doing with her life. I felt like I had no control of my life. Most people would also describe me as responsible and a giver. With these two traits combined, I quickly realized I was taking responsibility for external situations and for others at the expense of my time, happiness and priorities. I hope you don’t misinterpret this; it’s good to care for others and help them but there needs to be a healthy balance between those acts and yourself. Which I overlooked.
I wasn’t living my life the way I wanted which added to the question, “Who am I and where will I be in 5 years?”
As cliche as this sounds, my recent trip to Europe helped to unveil these thoughts and to truly figure out who I am, what I want and where I want to be. It gave me the courage to grasp for my goals and take control of my life. My first day into the trip, after viewing the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland, I had time to reflect which felt so relieving and something I didn’t know I needed. Self-reflection helped me to learn so much more about myself.
Again, this is cliche, but traveling really does give a new perspective on life. As strange as it sounds, it also helps to sort your thoughts. If you’re feeling restless or struggling with the unknown and doubt, read the lessons below on things I learned during and after my trip:
Buy the damn plane ticket. You know what I mean, just do it. Yes, it’s scary and reckless at first but when (if ever) is the right time to travel?
Your life is not a timeline. Sometimes traveling can immerse you so much into the moment, reality simply falls away. Meaning all the problems or questions you have disappear into dust. Enjoy it and don’t be so strict on doing the right thing at the right time. Trust in yourself, be you and do what you love at your own pace. The rest will fall into place.
You don’t need to have your ducks in a row. Basically, you don’t need to have it together all the time. Life is messy and disorganized, it’s okay that you are too. I’m not saying you throw your entire life out of order, but like I said earlier, there’s gotta be balance.
It’s never too late to make a change. What do I mean? Travel is all about change. You’re adjusting to a new environment, perhaps a different timezone and even a different culture. It is a process that forces you to reflect on your life. Being away from home allows you to think about your life and consider what you’d like to do differently.
Now that I’m back in the states, I feel content in knowing I won’t always have the answer and that it is OKAY not to have it all figured out. The unknown is what makes life so valuable and breathtaking. However, I do know it’s never too late to create the life you want. After countless doubts and a lot of back and forth, I am proud to share I took the leap to apply for graduate school a few months before my trip. I was recently accepted into my program (woohoo!) and will begin classes this fall! I am thrilled I took the leap of faith to take my life back into my hands; first, by booking the flight and then by applying to graduate school. What else will I continue to strive for? Checking off more cities and countries from my bucket list.
Did you enjoy this post? How has traveling helped you get back on your feet? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe. Thank you for reading!
Style. Sass. Spirit.
Keetha, Lately
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