A few weeks ago I heard some bad news about a family friend who was diagnosed with a life threatening cancer. She is only 25. When I heard the news I was standing in Anthropologie about to try on some dresses that I didn’t need and just sat down in one of their set-up, too cool for real life, living room displays. I was frozen. Even though I haven’t seen her in a long time, it still hit me very hard. She is younger than me with her entire life laying out before her.
I just kept thinking about how precious life really is, and not to sound too preachy or like The Secret, but I kept thinking about how we really shouldn’t waste time doing things that don’t make us extremely happy.
Last week I gave my two weeks notice at my “day job” (which I actually worked at night). The job was fine and had been an easy job that allowed me to make good money and take off time for travel. The problem was that I wasn’t passionate about it and even though it had some perks, I felt numb doing it. I am a good employee and care about my performance even if I don’t love what I’m doing. However, this is a double edge sword when my work and commitment wasn’t valued or appreciated. I found myself constantly worrying about this job that wasn’t a “take your work home with you” type of job. It was becoming too stressful for not enough rewards.
I felt silly that at 29 I was wistfully thinking about my dreams and how maybe I was too old to have new ones.
I have been writing and doing some freelance social media work and while the money and opportunities have come up, I was still sitting back secure under my other job saying, “one day”. I was scare to quit my day job and pursue my happy calling. Well, thanks to the love and support from my family and eager pushing of my friends, today is my day.
I am so grateful for my travel experiences. Each one completely different and valuable, and each one adding to the core of who I am. Traveling has made me a better person- period.
“Live a life that makes you proud – one that matters and makes a difference.” – my mantra today
If you are stuck in a rut or contemplating a change- consider taking a trip, whether long or short, to refuel and recharge. Sometimes removing yourself from a situation to a place that is new allows you to view yourself in a new way.
So, why am I telling you this on a travel blog? Well, I get emails from readers and hear on Twitter or through my friends IRL about how they want to travel more but can’t find the time/ don’t have the money/ are scare/ are planning a big trip in 2 years/ 5 years… etc. and they wonder how we do it. Honestly, we do it because we love it. It makes us extremely happy. We put aside money just for travel. We invest countless hours into researching a destination if it is above our budget and finds ways to do it for cheaper. We plan mini-vacations around the city or the state in order to fill our wanderlust. We make it a priority. Even if you only have two weeks vacation a year, you too can travel and find your travel happiness.
At the end of the day I just keep going back to the same idea: We only have one life and I plan on living it right.
