WHY? is a question that I get asked a lot when I talk about my plans to pack up my life and move overseas. Why Now? Why do you have to go? My answer swings between ‘Now is as good a time as any’ and ‘Because I have to’.
I do have a reason. A good one. To tell you the truth, it’s because life is fleeting. For some people there are no ‘one day’s. This time is our time and I want to live it intentionally and with love and joy in my heart. My mum never got her ‘one day’s. She had her babies, and sadly passed away at 27. I’m not doing this for her, I’m doing it because of her.
It is our circumstance that lets us see the world from our unique points of view. This is mine. I want to live somewhere new and to face all the challenges that come with that. I want to not only be alive but to feel it. There is nothing like testing yourself in a new place to feel that way. I don’t mean putting myself in risky situations, it’s more the amplification of everything when you travel. The sights, the smells, the air, the people. It’s all foreign and you have to feel to adjust.
Travel for me is often very healing. It has taught me to forgive myself and my mistakes more easily. It has taught me to smile more and be more outgoing.
There is a reason for me doing this, even if you don’t quite understand it. It’s time for me, as 27 approaches, to make it the best 27 it could possibly be.
Next year will be about adventure, making new friends, falling in love with a new city, finding out how I fit in that place and reminding myself that mistakes are ok and that plans make for some great times. It’s about remember what it’s like to truly live and to recognise how far I’ve come.
I’m calling it early, I think my 2013 word of the year will be Adventure, and like this year’s word Determination, it will help to keep me on track on the tough days and on the good ones too.
I love that. “I’m doing it because of her, not for her.” She be crazy proud of you. x
Thanks lovely. xxxx
I really dislike when people ask, “WHY?” with such judgement. That you are mature, clever, talented and wonderful is enough of a reason for me to know that you are doing the right thing for you. In a strange way though, my lovely friend, I will “miss” you. Though I am super excited about all the adventures that will be coming your way. It would be “easy” to stay in a little box and be unhappy with not taking risks…of not having done what you know to be right for you. And I agree with K, your Mum would be supremely proud of you. x
I will miss you too! Thank you for all your support this last year. I promise to still be on Twitter all the time. xx
Very cool! Yet so weird, I am weighing up travelling at the moment too and all of a sudden I see all these posts about travelling. The first one was on Etsy, where a successful shop owner is ‘officially now broke’ and she wished she hadn’t spent her money on a big trip last year with her family, but then in contrast I see this post and it’s like…’ohhhh take the risk’. I just handed in my resignation, so I don’t really have anything to fall back on to, apart from my illustration business and savings. So scary! But I think I need to take the risk and tick this ‘things that I need to do’ list. Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome Simone! And don’t worry, I have travelled many times and have never regretted it. Maybe that person regrets it in hindsight, but I’m sure it was worth it while they were away.
Congratulations on taking the leap! It’s going to be awesome. x
Good on you and I hope you retort something witty when people are so darn judgemental. I’m so awed/jealous/reminiscent of your travels. I have no real desire to do it again but I so miss that anticipation and hope and optimism that comes with a new place. I can’t wait to hear how it goes. And tell all those judgey judgey people to stick it!
Thanks so much Kate! xx