I once stood as an 8-year-old girl at her grandmother’s house, spinning an old globe. I would close my eyes, spin it as fast as I could, and point my rosy little finger on it till it stopped. I must’ve done this about a thousand times.
Wanderlust got the best of me even as a child. I wanted to know what it felt like to be on a plane, all alone, on my way to a new adventure. 14 years later I got my taste of pure bliss and I want you too as well.
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Just Do It; For Any Reason and By Any Means: I was 22 years-old and was faced with ending a 3 year long relationship. I got to work the next morning and I was no-doubt not in my right mind. I applied for a credit card. It was approved, great! I looked at google maps and was scanning the screen for a new destination… imagining my finger spinning on the globe like I was still that child.
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It Will Change You: The day was here and I was calling my uber to take me to the airport. For all my excitement leading up to this day, I was much more nervous than I thought I’d be. I remember being in the security line at LAX talking to this older Australian couple trying to get some comforting words to calm my nerves, but they couldn’t help but chuckle and tell me I’d be fine. They were right. But I was more than fine.
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The Memories Will Follow You Forever: I find myself thinking about that trip Every. Single. Day. The beauty I experienced only with myself, it was so personal.
And I booked a flight to Greece and Romania in a matter of minutes. I was going to be on my way in a matter of a month. I felt independent, strong, and proud (along with a slight “wtf did I just do” sorta feeling). I ran around my office and boasted to all my coworkers at what I had just done.
They were in shock and worried for my well being… but I didn’t care. This was my new beginning.
From finding my way to my hotel rooms, my connecting trains, or even telling my taxi driver where to go despite our language barrier, I truly felt what it was like to be alone. I needed that. I needed to build me back up again.
I had endless moments where I stood in pure amazement of where I was and couldn’t hold back a smile full of hopeful tears. My heartbreak was healing and I knew I’d be okay again. I would do this again.
And guess what? I am. My next trip is booked for Southeast Asia. I leave in a couple months.
The people I met will always make their mark on me. From the owner of the Greek restaurant who took a liking to my lonesomeness, let me cook my own meal in his kitchen. To the young Brazilian couple who were Marine Biologists’ studying heavy metals in bird’s feathers, we drank on the roof of our hostel over looking the Acropolis till 2am.
They all made their mark on me. Their personalities and stories taught me something. There is so much left to be seen and experience, you just have to make sure you let yourself get there.
