One Week Abroad, and Here’s What I’ve Learned…
I’ve officially been abroad for a week now, and here are 5 things I’ve realized so far…
I love British culture… even more than I thought I would. Everything about it… The people I’ve met. The traditions I’ve encountered. The expressions… I seriously love this. It makes me smile. The demeanor. I’ve enjoyed London & the countryside. So far 10/10. No notes.
I’m learning how to pack & what’s important to have easily accessible. I still have a ways to go before I master being a nomad, but for someone who hasn’t traveled much in their life, and has never traveled abroad or extensively… I’m definitely on a learning curve. My daughter had helped with this because she’s been traveling for a couple of months now. So, she’s given me some pointers… although, I will say there are definitely differences in what’s a necessity for a 19 year old vs an 48 years old… there’s a reason why people do this when they’re young, but I’m determined to figure out how to be a smart “slow-mad” at my age. (Moving every 1-4 months, instead of every few days or weeks.
Even though I am getting smarter on how to be a traveler, I still constantly feel overwhelmed by decisions. So, I’m doing the best I can and making incremental decisions instead of long-lasting ones… that helps me get out of analysis paralysis. I’ve let go of trying to figure out the “perfect plan”, and trust that the decisions I’m making will teach me what I need to know, will introduce me to people who can help me learn, and will lead me to experiences I’m meant to have.
I’m allowing myself as many comforts from home as I can… from watching Friends AGAIN, to wearing my Chiefs sweatshirts & leggings around the house, to restarting my nightly hot cocoa routine. In the US, I made hot cocoa with collagen every night before bed. I didn’t do that the first few nights abroad, but now I’ve bought the ingredients. So, I’ve started it back up. I don’t have my giant cup, but it’s something. Maybe once I’m settled a little more, I’ll find a new, big cup to use each night.
I’m really trying to enjoy every moment. This is all stretching me in ways I never knew were possible, and I’m now living comfortably outside my comfort zone… I’m trying to remember to actually LIVE & appreciate each moment. There’s a big fear in me that this won’t work out, and I’ll have to move back to the US… I’ve decided that if that were to happen, I want to return with memories of new experiences & a feeling that it was all worth it… if I spend this time stressed about all the details or the future, I’ll miss it. I’ve traveled briefly solo before, and I always felt empowered & full of joy… I want to feel that now. So, I’m reminding myself that I’m FUCKING DOING IT!!! I’m actually doing the thing I’ve been talking about doing for the last 6 years. No matter how this ends… THAT’S FUCKING AMAZING.
Life is what happens when we’re busy making plans… It’s not the epic adventures I’m having or going to have that will make this journey fulfilling… it’ll be my ability to be present & appreciate every day that will create the memories I’ll keep forever.
You’re allowed to outgrow the life you once wanted…
Keep the wisdom… Rewrite the ending…
No more “What ifs?”
With love,
Stacie