In spring of 2017, I found myself in a state of confusion about the future. Where would I be post graduation? What would I do with my life? What even am I? These fears, instead of scaring me into getting my shit together, did the opposite. I quit my wonderful job and bought a plane ticket, one week out from spring break. I also watched "Eat, Pray, Love" five times that week, a personal record. I had no plans except that I knew I would be in Austria on March 4th.
I choose Austria for a few reasons: I could get a decently priced ticket, I had friends there to break me out of jail if something happened and I had a place to stay. However, I speak about as much German as my dog does, my dialogue includes the following helpful phrases: "Thanks," "Beer," "Wine Spritzer" and "I am a stupid American." So when I arrived I depended on the Austrian citizens that spoke English heavily and those friends who guided me in the right directions and quickly answered my every panicked text about the public transport system. However, after just a day, something changed, the fear of getting lost in a foreign country subsided and I felt confident and capable all by myself. All I had to do was enjoy my own experience and see what I wanted to see, on my own schedule. For one of the first times in my life I was completely alone, I had no obligations to anyone and I was thrilled about it.
As you travel solo, being totally responsible for yourself, it’s inevitable that you will discover just how capable you are. I spent 10 wonderful days sitting in cafes, walking the streets of foreign towns, wandering museums and exploring the nightlife wherever I was. When people ask me about my trip, I find that I can't possibly convey to them my entire experience. I did all of these amazing things, but I was also changed by them. When my flight landed back in the United States I was more confident and in touch than I had ever been. I knew that even though I didn't have to, I could manage it all on my own.
The best advice I can give someone who feels stuck, uninspired, or lost is to figure out what you fear the most, then do it. Flood yourself with that anxiety and you will be surprised that it was likely hardly anything to be anxious about in the first place. If it's being alone, then dump your boyfriend and go somewhere completely new, it doesn't have to be thousands of miles away. If it's a fear of not being attractive enough, ditch your makeup for a week. If you're deathly afraid of sharks go swimming with a piece of ham at night (just kidding, don't do that.)
