Well the day has finally arrived; I am currently in the air
and on my way to New Zealand! While
today has brought some mixed emotions I am extremely excited to be embarking upon
a year of adventures! Since I booked my ticket 6 months ago everyone has asked
me the same question; “Why?” My answer was usually two words; “Why not?” While that response successfully stopped any
further questioning, now that you’re all on the other side of the world I thought
I would take this opportunity to elaborate.
(And everything is right in the world again...oh ginger beer how I've missed you)
There’s the obvious; New Zealand is one of the most
beautiful countries in the world and also happens to be next to Australia,
which I can’t wait to go back to and Fiji which is another dream destination!
But I really want to continue what I started in Australia almost 2 years
ago. I have never felt more myself than
when I was traveling alone. I have never
felt as content or as peaceful as when I was poor, living out of a suitcase,
sleeping in a hostel and eating peanut butter sandwiches and pasta every
day. I found that ironically, you become
the most comfortable when stripped of all your comforts. There is definitely a detox period and maybe
even some withdrawal symptoms but once you get past all that, it’s like
releasing a 1,000lb weight off your chest.
You also don’t realize how much other people’s opinions affect you until
you are completely removed from them. I
love my family and friends and know they only have the best intentions, but
having the chance to live entirely for myself without any preconceived judgment
is beyond liberating. It allows you the
chance to be exactly who you want to
be. So, my hope is that when I come home
next year I will be the best version of myself, which will allow me to be the
best sister, daughter, grand-daughter, aunt and friend to those I love.
I believe that life’s biggest rewards come from taking the
most frightening chances. I believe that
facing fear is the only way to erase it from your life. Someone once said, “Do something every day
that scares you.” So, I plan on being
scared every day for the next year and loving every minute of it!
