It feels like just moments ago I was sitting in my comfy bed at home under my printed gray covers and soft sheets writing my first journal entry. It felt a little unnatural writing to myself. I felt like I had traveled back in time to the second grade when I begged my mom to buy me a pink, heart-shaped dairy with a lock and key on it so I could write about my deepest darkest elementary school secrets. This time, I again picked out a hot pink journal, but I wasn’t writing because I had an intense desire to share my thoughts with myself. I was writing because people told me I should. They said it would help me bring back my memories from abroad. The phrase “maximize your experience” was shoved down my throat. But, when I sat down to do it, I felt pressured - I did not want to mess it up! What do I say? How does one get an A in journaling?
So, I just started writing. I wrote what I was thinking and what I was feeling.
Today, with just five days left of my month long journey, looking back and reading those words and thoughts of nervousness and excitement reinvigorates me to take advantage of every moment I have left here in this beautiful county. After weeks of living out of a suitcase and spending each day on the fly without a steady routine, it is easy to let all the memories I made and goals I set get lost. Now, looking back on my journey thus far, I see that my journaling has been successful! I have been doing it right all along!
It turns out that simply taking the time to write something down every day helps me find a sense of stability and allows me to have one steady routine while constantly on the move. Here is a quick recap of my travels: six days in Madrid, six days in Granada, three days in Seville and I am currently leaving Barcelona to jet to Rome for a week! This once in a lifetime journey has yet to bear a dull moment and that is why is has been so valuable to write all those moments down! To be honest, I could not off the top of my head start to tell you about the sights I saw, restaurants I ate at and discotecas I danced at back in Madrid if I hadn’t had somewhere to organize my thoughts. In those precious moments that I spend each day writing my memories down, I am able to catch my breath and have a second to myself. Those instants make me stop and wonder about the different meals times here in Spain, the lack of blondes here and why everyone is so much more relaxed. I get to consider the culture and history that surrounds me. All the while, I am creating a time-capsule of my experiences for I will have for years to come! Who would have thought a made in USA notebook would turn out to be the best and most unique souvenir I could bring home?!
