10,000 miles ago, I packed my life into a 1999 Toyota 4Runner with 170,000 miles on the odometer and started my road trip to volunteer in all 50 states. 23 states later, I have worked with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the United Way, and for causes like women’s shelters, homeless shelters and food banks. I’ve met people ranging from Senator Bernie Sanders to the homeless man who tried to break into my car while I was sleeping in it in Fargo, North Dakota. I’ve survived mostly on peanut butter and coffee, and on the generosity of my host families. I’ve slept in my pop-up tent, on couches of loosely-connected, newly-found friends, and on lake fronts like this one in Glacier National Park in Montana.

I was told that some of the most important lessons in life are learned through working for the well-being of others, with no personal return, and through travel. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to take this road trip, combining the two. Nearly halfway through my journey, here are some of things I’ve learned along the way worth sharing:

People everywhere need help

I assumed that once I left Los Angeles, a city where hundreds of thousands live desperately, the amount of people living in desperation would decrease. I was wrong. In the Northeast, there is an epidemic of heroin use where, last year, more people in New Hampshire died from drug-related incidents than car accidents. Outside of Detroit and near Cleveland, 1 in 6 people fight hunger daily. In Omaha, Missoula and across the nation, young mothers struggle to escape poverty and abusive relationships. Every hour that people contribute volunteering helps to fight this but more importantly, every minute spent thinking about these issues is another minute closer to a solution to these problems. It’s easy to be of help with these issues. Check out these links to get involved (some states have their own databases too):

Habitat.org

VolunteerMatch.org

Always talk to the person sitting next to you at the bar

Instead of disappearing into your phone, take the time to say “hi”. You might be surprised what kind of opportunities and connections this creates.

“Impossible ideas” are just ideas that require more work.

Boston drivers are MAssholes.

We aren’t that different

I was expecting to feel pretty lonely throughout this trip alone, but I’ve been able to connect and create lifelong friendships with people I never thought I would have anything in common with. This speaks more to the power of saying “hi”. And always remember that everyone is fighting their own battles.

There are plenty of ways to drive productively

There are podcasts that can teach you just about anything and audiobooks of almost anything in print. I’ve continued my French and Spanish language learning through amazing podcasts, learned about medical ethics and policy (now I can say I've read Obamacare) through audiobooks and started to become educated in national and world politics. You should learn something new every day, and your time spent driving is perfect to spend towards this goal. I’m not saying that I don’t also belt out my favorite songs in traffic though…

The drought doesn’t stop in San Francisco

(It’s the whole west coast and more, which might be a shock to Southern Californians, like me) and the world is so much greener as you head east. Also, So-Cal-ians might be surprised to know that I had a burrito in Minnesota that subbed sour cream for mayo... That's a problem if you don't find that to be a problem.

You have to plan ahead, but when things inevitably fall apart, don’t stress out. Last minute plans seem to work out the best, anyway

When I started this trip, I had the first 10 states planned out to the second. Once I got started, everything imploded. Organizations no longer existed when I showed up. Host families ended up being out of town. In every instance of “crisis”, it ended up working out for the better. In Portland, the organization that I was going to work with ended up being in a different city. This was my first state; I felt like an idiot. I wandered the city and stumbled on a blues festival. I went and asked if they needed a volunteer for their medical tent or for anything else, they did, and I ended up helping out for the afternoon. I ended up getting a free concert by one of the greatest musicians alive, Buddy Guy.

Explore the world immediately around you

There are a lot of families that I’ve stayed with who haven’t even seen the sights and parks outside their back door. Take some time to see the world near you or else you might miss out on places like this amazing state park in New Hampshire.

Have the mentality that you will never be here again, never see these people again

Do not pass on any opportunity or any adventure.

When you say thank you, seriously mean it

I wouldn’t have been able to do this trip without support and am thankful every day for everyone who has housed, fed, or contributed to me. Thank you is thrown around meaninglessly all the time. To all those who have helped me, seriously, thank you.

Research your own opinions; don’t just take the word of others

And also keep them to yourself if you aren’t 100% sure of the opinions of your company.

Be the first to admit you’re wrong

And also, there is no such thing as being 100% right on anything, so don’t shut yourself off to alternatives.

Call your mom and dad

They know that you love them, but they deserve to hear it often.

Soon, I'll be leaving Boston and continuing my road trip to volunteer in some capacity in every state. I hope that people see my story, and how easily I can find ways to help, and might be inspired to do the same. If you are interested in following my journey, check out Facebook.com/GapYearVagabond and then get out and GYV back.