To the girl who wants to travel forever,

I love traveling too which is why I know how you feel.

I know that you are scared that you won't be able to fulfill your dream because the whole world keeps weighing you down every day.

It sucks, right?

Especially, when you have to listen to statements like, "Oh, you are traveling solo? Aren't you scared?", or "How could your parents allow you to go off alone?", or the most common one "You must be so bold to attempt it. Don't you have a boyfriend or a husband?"

Yes, I know it is not a good feeling when the entire world has reduced you to a side character. As if you can't exist without a partner or your parents. As if, you don't have a life of your own. But, you don't have to pay attention to this mindless chatter. People are always going to judge you for your decision but remember, you aren't here to please the world.

You are here to be happy and make the most of your life. So what if settling down doesn't come in the plan? So what if you don't want a 9 to 5 job or a big house to live your happily ever after? So what if you would rather choose to travel forever?

Just because you happen to love traveling doesn't mean that your life is not equally important. In fact, you are being exposed to so much more that other people couldn't even dream of. You are meeting so many new and interesting people every day, going off on amazing adventures, and just enjoying yourself.

So, please stop feeling guilty. Stop feeling guilty that you can't give your parents the life they hoped for you. Stop feeling guilty for wanting to leave in every few days. Stop feeling guilty for missing all those friends and school reunions because you were busy hiking in some other part of this world. Stop feeling guilty for being madly in love but not being able to stay long enough for it to work. Just stop feeling guilty, period.

Trust me, you are doing good. Yes, it is hard and it might not get easier with time but imagine the number of lives that you are changing. Imagine all those small girls who are looking up to you and getting inspired to travel the world one day too. You are making it easier for them to face this world and pursue their passion for traveling. Think of yourself as a path paver who is making the way for the next generation of girls to travel without any inhibitions.

I know it is easier said than done. After all, it's not just the society that keeps you pushing down. Apart from the constant reminders from your friends and family to settle down, you also have to worry about those uneasy stares and unwanted attention on your solo journeys. I get it. Why can't people just leave you be? Why it is so important for every man to pass a lewd comment on you just because you are traveling alone? Why can't you go to a place without having to worry about your safety?

I know all these questions haunt your mind every day. I know how you worry every time you are about to embark a new journey. After all, who among us hasn't been afraid, at least once, to venture out alone in the night in an unknown country?

But, that's okay. You will get through this. You can handle this girl and you can surely protect yourself too. Just don't give up on your dreams yet? Go and travel the world and then tell your friends and family the tales of your numerous adventures. Go and experience new cultures and meet new people. Trust me, once they see how happy you are they will surely come around and start accepting your life plans too.

This world is your oyster and you have covered merely a small part of it.

Don't let the society stop you doing from what you love. Don't settle because you are scared. Settle down because you want to but not because you were too scared to live your dream.

Because, honey, you live only once and if you don't make the most of it then you will regret it forever.

Love,

The girl who is trying to fulfill her dream of traveling