Once upon a time, nineteen year old me, naive and uncultured as I was, boarded a plane bound to the other side of the ocean. To put some sort of label on the experience is impossible because seeing corners of cities that I had never heard of and finding interests and bravery I never saw inside myself isn't something that this blinking cursor of mine seems to be able to describe. Returning to a daily routine that involves sleeping until noon and occasionally seeing a day pass without changing out of my pajamas isn't an adjustment that has come easily, but when I come across a travel quote or a wanderlusty sentiment, my heart beams with familiar feeling.
1. Language
I'm so grateful to have learned so many new ways to express myself through languages, both English and otherwise. Words have undeniable power and acquiring new ones only serves to make me wiser.
2. Identity
As dumb as this may sound, piercing my nose while I was abroad was extremely fulfilling for me. I had wanted to do so for years, wondered about what it might look like on me, yearned to have the courage to look a way that I wanted, even though I knew it wouldn't be popular with everyone. When I look in the mirror now, that tiny little stud reminds me that I'm not the scared kid I was when I left.
3. Freedom
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being surrounded and overwhelmed by the love of my friends and family, but I also miss the independence that comes with being in complete control of myself and my days, without worrying about everyone else's expectations of me.
4. Materialism
When I returned home, I was astonished by how full my closet looked and it was difficult for me to rationalize owning so many different articles of clothing, when I survived for 3 weeks out of a backpack and 4 months out of a suitcase.
5. Time
Nothing terrifies me more than regret and travel taught me that every opportunity that passes by me is a missed chance to experience the wonder that may have gone along with it.
6. Plans
I've never known what I want to be when I grow up, but seeing a new continent and falling in love with it didn't make it any more clear. Realizing that not everyone has to follow the conventional path laid out by the majority is so liberating and though the dreams I have may be unconventional, that does not make them less valid or attainable.
7. Confidence
Do not doubt your instincts. Do not doubt yourself. Do not doubt the future.
8. Home
The place I came from, the place I share with my family and friends is my home. But so are the cities that I traveled to alone, the ones that I felt instantly more relaxed in, that I somehow seemed to know my way around and that's okay. You don't have to just choose one.
9. Fear
Emotions are not mutually exclusive and just because you're feeling nervous or scared doesn't automatically mean you're making the wrong decision. In fact, it might mean you're on the brink of something magnificent.
10. Growth
If you return home new or different, that's okay. If someone says that you've changed, agree with them. If they say they don't like it, then maybe you don't need them to understand.
11. Endings
For me, seeing so many landmarks and such beauty didn't quite feel real until I had the chance to tell everyone I love and share the experience with them. I've been left speechless more times than I could dare to count, but the really amazing thing is that since I found my voice again, I haven't been able to stop sharing my memories. Traveling is priceless and indescribable; you'll find yourself in situations that challenge you and push you and become a better person for going through them.
