Upon telling people I was going to be travelling for a few years there was always similar questions that arise. Answering them became repetitive to the point that I could recite my responses without thinking.
"What about your education?"
"Aren't you scared? There's a lot of fucked up people out there!"
"Doesn't that cost a lot of money? How are you possibly funding this?"
There's more but you get the point.
Anytime someone decides to do something against the societal grain they are almost always met with long confused looks, being told it's not possible, named irresponsible or a combination of all three with a touch of anger. It's inevitable that you will have multiple conversations with closeminded people telling you how to live your life by their standards. But you know what? It's not their life. Not everybody has the same definition of a life well lived so in the end you've got to so what's right for you.
"What about your education?"
Oh you mean that cookie cutter institution I'm supposed to pay for when I'm 18 and haven't got a clue what career I want? That box that puts me in debt where I sit in a classroom learning from studying papers and books all taught by people who most likely learned in the same way? Why simply read about Pol Pots regime in Cambodia when I can go there and explore the history on my own terms? Or how about the troubles in Northern Ireland? What's better than exploring war sites such as the battles of Moscow, Gazala, Brittany or the bulge with your own senses? Walk the grounds that history took place upon, it is much more satisfying than running your hands through that textbook. Travel expands the mind in ways that a classroom just can't do. I'm not saying that furthering your education is a bad thing but don't be that guy that spends their whole life in a classroom because you thought that it was what you were supposed to do. It's not for me, at least not right now.
Don't forget to travel! See the world! Get lost in a strange city! Eat crazy street food! Do whatever your heart beckons.
"Aren't you scared? There's a lot of fucked up people out there!"
If I said I wasn't a little scared I'd be lying but that's half the fun! You can't live your whole life in a bubble of safety, it's just not satisfying. And surprise! There's a lot of fucked up people everywhere! Travelling requires a healthy amount of common sense, the kind that tells you not to get into the candy van but jumping on the back of a strangers Vespa sounds entertaining. It's all about having a balance. The media makes the world out to be a terrifying place sometimes but that's because it makes better news. It doesn't mean I'm going to go waltzing into Iraq right now but being properly informed about the country you're going to is usually all you need to know how to avoid sticky situations there.
Fear is something to be faced not something to curl into the fetal position vowing never to leave your house over. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone will open an endless amount of possibilities, strange circumstances, meeting amazing people and finding yourself curious about the world around you. You've just got to cut away.
"Doesn't that cost a lot of money? How are you possibly funding this?"
Yes and no. My biggest expense in transportation. Flights, buses, trains, carpooling, etc... Once I get to my destination I use the wonderful world of workaway to live in the culture allowing me to save money and prolong my travelling. Travel doesn't have to be expensive if you travel smart. Make communal meals in hostels to cut costs, learn how to navigate around for cheaper flights and trains, utilize sites like workaway and helpx that allow you to live and work with people around the world in exchange for meals and a bed. It takes practice but eventually you learn to budget your everyday activities. You also learn to enjoy repetitive meals of stirfry because it was cheap and saved you $5.
As far as funding, I made travel my priority. The 6 months of skydiving was sort of a lull in saving for me because I fell in love with the sport but that's another story. If you make something your priority and invest a bulk of your time and money into it you will be surprised at how easy it is to achieve your goal.
There's also positive feedback when talking about travel. Talking to people about this trip was met with feedback as mentioned above but also curiousity and inspiration. Many people said I was doing the right thing, not that I needed validation, but it's good to talk to people who have that open mindset. I've received many messages since being gone from people saying they wish they would have done this when they were my age, talking about the flawed education system and that I'm brave to throw myself into the world. In traveling and being willing to share my experiences I've inadvertently inspired my Mom to take a chance and follow her dream of traveling to Ireland. She's always wanted to go but has always put something else first, now she's headed to her dream destination and is going there with no set plans. She is going head first into travel and I'm sure it will reward her with ups and downs but in the end it will be unforgettable and perception changing; as travel always is.
So why do I travel? I suppose I've never been the person to conform to societies desires. I have always wanted more out of life than what was fed to me throughout my 12 years in the education system. I always asked why I had to follow others expectations and realities of what life was supposed to be. After high school I didn't know what to do with my life even though I always thought I would. I was in a bit of a slump and a great mentor told me that I should go travelling. In that moment, it made perfect sense. Within 4 months I'd saved $4300, bought my ticket and was headed to Europe. Those 6 months changed me. My perspective on life took a 180 and I allowed the magic of travel to form my experiences. It altered my perception of the world, for the better, and is a trip that I wouldn't change. Now, 3 years later, I'm travelling again. This trip is a big one! But it is again something that just made sense. I'm tearing away the societal constraints from my soul and opening my mind to everything that travel has to offer.
If you've ever though of travelling, make it a priority and do it! It will never be the wrong answer.
"What about your education?"
"Aren't you scared? There's a lot of fucked up people out there!"
"Doesn't that cost a lot of money? How are you possibly funding this?"
There's more but you get the point.
Anytime someone decides to do something against the societal grain they are almost always met with long confused looks, being told it's not possible, named irresponsible or a combination of all three with a touch of anger. It's inevitable that you will have multiple conversations with closeminded people telling you how to live your life by their standards. But you know what? It's not their life. Not everybody has the same definition of a life well lived so in the end you've got to so what's right for you.
"What about your education?"
Oh you mean that cookie cutter institution I'm supposed to pay for when I'm 18 and haven't got a clue what career I want? That box that puts me in debt where I sit in a classroom learning from studying papers and books all taught by people who most likely learned in the same way? Why simply read about Pol Pots regime in Cambodia when I can go there and explore the history on my own terms? Or how about the troubles in Northern Ireland? What's better than exploring war sites such as the battles of Moscow, Gazala, Brittany or the bulge with your own senses? Walk the grounds that history took place upon, it is much more satisfying than running your hands through that textbook. Travel expands the mind in ways that a classroom just can't do. I'm not saying that furthering your education is a bad thing but don't be that guy that spends their whole life in a classroom because you thought that it was what you were supposed to do. It's not for me, at least not right now.
Don't forget to travel! See the world! Get lost in a strange city! Eat crazy street food! Do whatever your heart beckons.
"Aren't you scared? There's a lot of fucked up people out there!"
If I said I wasn't a little scared I'd be lying but that's half the fun! You can't live your whole life in a bubble of safety, it's just not satisfying. And surprise! There's a lot of fucked up people everywhere! Travelling requires a healthy amount of common sense, the kind that tells you not to get into the candy van but jumping on the back of a strangers Vespa sounds entertaining. It's all about having a balance. The media makes the world out to be a terrifying place sometimes but that's because it makes better news. It doesn't mean I'm going to go waltzing into Iraq right now but being properly informed about the country you're going to is usually all you need to know how to avoid sticky situations there.
Fear is something to be faced not something to curl into the fetal position vowing never to leave your house over. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone will open an endless amount of possibilities, strange circumstances, meeting amazing people and finding yourself curious about the world around you. You've just got to cut away.
"Doesn't that cost a lot of money? How are you possibly funding this?"
Yes and no. My biggest expense in transportation. Flights, buses, trains, carpooling, etc... Once I get to my destination I use the wonderful world of workaway to live in the culture allowing me to save money and prolong my travelling. Travel doesn't have to be expensive if you travel smart. Make communal meals in hostels to cut costs, learn how to navigate around for cheaper flights and trains, utilize sites like workaway and helpx that allow you to live and work with people around the world in exchange for meals and a bed. It takes practice but eventually you learn to budget your everyday activities. You also learn to enjoy repetitive meals of stirfry because it was cheap and saved you $5.
As far as funding, I made travel my priority. The 6 months of skydiving was sort of a lull in saving for me because I fell in love with the sport but that's another story. If you make something your priority and invest a bulk of your time and money into it you will be surprised at how easy it is to achieve your goal.
There's also positive feedback when talking about travel. Talking to people about this trip was met with feedback as mentioned above but also curiousity and inspiration. Many people said I was doing the right thing, not that I needed validation, but it's good to talk to people who have that open mindset. I've received many messages since being gone from people saying they wish they would have done this when they were my age, talking about the flawed education system and that I'm brave to throw myself into the world. In traveling and being willing to share my experiences I've inadvertently inspired my Mom to take a chance and follow her dream of traveling to Ireland. She's always wanted to go but has always put something else first, now she's headed to her dream destination and is going there with no set plans. She is going head first into travel and I'm sure it will reward her with ups and downs but in the end it will be unforgettable and perception changing; as travel always is.
So why do I travel? I suppose I've never been the person to conform to societies desires. I have always wanted more out of life than what was fed to me throughout my 12 years in the education system. I always asked why I had to follow others expectations and realities of what life was supposed to be. After high school I didn't know what to do with my life even though I always thought I would. I was in a bit of a slump and a great mentor told me that I should go travelling. In that moment, it made perfect sense. Within 4 months I'd saved $4300, bought my ticket and was headed to Europe. Those 6 months changed me. My perspective on life took a 180 and I allowed the magic of travel to form my experiences. It altered my perception of the world, for the better, and is a trip that I wouldn't change. Now, 3 years later, I'm travelling again. This trip is a big one! But it is again something that just made sense. I'm tearing away the societal constraints from my soul and opening my mind to everything that travel has to offer.
If you've ever though of travelling, make it a priority and do it! It will never be the wrong answer.
