I was sat on my comfortable corner couch in Liverpool city centre; the 42 inch plasma TV screen that was usually blasting out noise was turned off. Outside I could hear children playing, but I wasn’t paying attention to them. It was my first attempt at meditating. Anything to rid myself of that horrible feeling inside of me. Anything to make me feel normal again.
Little did I know that my first time meditating would change my life.
‘What do I want from life. ‘What do I want from life’, I repeated softly in my head. Outside I had everything that a young twenty something could want, a city centre apartment, car, great friends, family and a wild social life. I had it all. But something was missing and I desperately needed to find out what it was.
Slowly but surely images started filling my head. In these images I was brave, adventurous even. I wore my hair in a long plait and trekked through jungle and sand dunes. I felt confused. I want to be Lara Croft?
The images kept coming, flashbacks to family holidays, sun and exotic food. Although still confused I started to put the pieces of my imagination back together. Then it hit me.
I want to travel.
Something so simple. Something most people want. But I wasnt most people. I hadn’t been on holiday for over three years. No one to go with me you see. Was my mind telling me to take a holiday?
The answer was far more serious than that.
I wanted to travel. Not for a week, not for a month but long-term, forever even. I literally went from not wanting a holiday to wanting to give up everything I have to do it long-term.
I lay back in my luxurious couch, exhausted. Who knew meditation could be so tiring? Even though I felt exhausted it was as if a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I knew what I wanted.
I felt extremely confused though. Now I saw a completely different path in front of me. I felt disoriented and unsure of what to do next, how to take my first step on my new path.
How could I travel alone? People don’t go on holiday alone so they surely don’t go travelling alone? Is it safe for a woman to travel alone? Where would I go?
The one big question I had was replaced by scores of small questions. It was time to get outside for a breath of fresh air. I pulled on a coat over my scruffy house clothes and stepped into the cool March air. As I walked down the familiar streets, my eyes lingered a second longer as I looked at the beautiful old buildings and friendly people of Liverpool. I knew that although I loved Liverpool, soon it would not be my home.
Cupcake and fresh coffee in hand I unravelled my scarf from my burning face and curled up in my usual position on the sofa. Where to start? I had an epiphany but no idea what to do with it.
I grabbed my laptop from the floor and simply typed in ‘Travel’. Hundreds of web pages came up and I spent a good hour looking through the Lonely planet website. Each beautiful photo that I looked at stirred the longing inside of me.
I then realised that I was single and that none of my friends liked travel. Oh dear. My heart started to sink as I realised that I would probably never be able to travel. Quickly I typed in ‘solo female travel’, or something like that, I can’t quite remember. Before me lay pages of pages of blogs. Now before this I’d only read vintage blogs. I knew that travel blogs existed but they never really interested me. I chose one at random and clicked on it.
I looked up from the screen and day had turned into night. My eyes strained as I searched for the light switch and as light flooded the room I was brought back to reality. I had spent hours reading blog posts from many women who were travelling the world solo. The ones that most attracted me were Adventurous Kate and Lauren from Never Ending Footsteps. They were young women just like me who decided to travel long-term. Granted they both dreamed about travel for many years before making it a reality whereas I only started to dream about travel a few hours ago. Reading their blogs gave me hope that I could one day travel solo, just like they did.
The next day as I drove to work I vowed to change my life. It would need a lot of planning, saving and commitment but I could do it!
Within the next few months I pored over Lonely planet guides and travel blogs to get some inspiration and decide where to go. I booked a solo trip to Spain to teach English as a volunteer after reading about it in Bacon is magic. I applied for a sabbatical from work and moved out of my city centre flat and back in with my parents to save money.
Life changed so fast and I received both positive and negative feedback from people. Many people thought it was an amazing idea but many thought I was crazy and running away from life. In hindsight I wasn’t running away from life, I was sprinting at full speed towards life, towards the life I was destined to live.
I write this from my tiny floor sofa in my tiny apartment in rural Japan. Over the last few years my life has changed immeasurably and I can barely recognise the person that I used to be. After my sabbatical I felt the same emptiness and yearning, only this time I knew how to cure it. More travel.
In October 2012 I started this blog. I had to be secretive during my first few blog posts. I’d not yet been granted a sabbatical so I couldn’t vent my true feelings. Since then I’ve written 100 blog posts about my life. About my travels before, during and after my sabbatical and about my subsequent move and career change to live in Japan.
Travel is not the best path for everyone. It may not even be the best path for me in years to come. All I know is that this is my path right now. This is where I need to be right now. In my life I’ve made many sacrifices for travel; love, family, friends, career, and material possessions.
But you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m celebrating my 100th blog post by booking a trip to Sapporo in Hokkaido to see the snow festival. I’m travelling solo of course!
When did you realise that travel was your passion? Were you lucky like Adventurous Kate and realised when you were young or unlucky like me and discovered it in your twenties? Do you remember the exact moment you found your passion?
I’m glad to hear you discovered your passion for travel! And I’m even happier that you’ve decided to make a commitment– that’s usually the trickiest part, isn’t it? I know I’ve wanted to travel since I was little, but never really made the necessary lengths to actually go do it. In 2013, I missed a bus stop in Macau and got separated from my husband (bf then) and had to find my way back with no cash. It was then that I realized that I wanted to travel alone. The feeling of being lost was kind of addicting, and it was such a tease. I booked my ticket to travel solo for the first time when we got home. I’m married now but I still travel solo when I need a fix. This year, I backpacked Southeast Asia on my own and loved it.
Good luck with your trip to Hokkaido! I’m sure it will be amazing!
Erica recently posted…How To Be An Annoying Traveler
Making the big commitment to long term travel and handing in my notice was so hard. I recieved so much opposition but at the end of the day we have to do what makes us happy. I love the fact that you still travel solo despite being married, I would love that someday 🙂
AGREED! After 5 years of being a lawyer in London, I really started to question where my life/career was heading and if this is what I want… Why not make travel a career/lifestyle choice… I thought… And voila, I also did what you did 🙂
Congratulations on your 100th blog post 🙂
Stefan recently posted…Gay friendly travel guide to Labuan Bajo and Flores island
Of wow Stefan! Most people seem to want nothing more than a good job and security, but some of us are different. Good luck with your travels and happiness!
We each get to a revelation point at one moment or the other. In my case, it was when I returned from a long term trip to Latin America. I had to go for a tonsils removal surgery and as I came out of the surgery, crying from the pain, I told my mom that the only thing I wanted to do in life was traveling and I would to do all it takes to do that!
Claudia recently posted…Fantastic things to do in Indonesia
What a story Claudia!It’s amazing how random things can trigger these immense epiphanies!
When the travel bug bites the main side-effect is the urge to full your soul with the endless bounty that awaits in each destination. You will definitely be consumed by wanderlust. Congrats on you 100th post. Looking forward to hundreds more.
Travelwith2ofus recently posted…Oh Snap! 29 reasons why you should visit Latvia in 2016
I think it’s hard for non travellers to understand the immense pull of Wanderlust! I’m currently in the middle of a bad bout of Wanderlust and as we know there’s only one cure….
So awesome! It takes such courage to figure out what will make you happy and actually act on it! People will always have negative thoughts or think what your doing is crazy. I like to focus on who is a true supporter. Congrats on your 100th post!
Jackie Sills-Dellegrazie recently posted…How to Spend an Unforgettable Christmas in Zermatt
That’s what I do now Jackie, I don’t let the haters get to me 🙂
This post will be quite inspiration for people who are considering traveling solo. Making that first step is the hardest. I travel full-time but haven’t take a solo trip. Your bravery sounds like it has been well rewarded.
jen recently posted…Our Recommendations – What We Have In Our Pack
Very true Jen, the first step really is the hardest! The reactions of friends and family can be hard too!
Love this post and so happy you took the leap! I realized travel was my passion in college, but never imagined I would find a way to actually LIVE my passion. It wasn’t until my early thirties that I gave everything up to follow my dream, and while sometimes I wish I had done this sooner, I do think that the timing was perfect for me. Best of luck as you continue on your path. You are an inspiration!
Andrea Leblang recently posted…Ten Mind-Blowing Moments in Montenegro
This is truly inspiring, thanks for sharing your personal experiences here. Like you, I always felt like there is something missing from my life. I just knew that I want to get away, to get out of my old life and to start something new, something worth talking about. But it was so hard to push myself to do it. So I think you’re brave for choosing the life you have now! It takes a lot of effort to make that step and to say “yes”! I’m glad that I took the step, and I’m happy for you that you found the right path in your life too. I wish you all the best for the future and hope to read the 200th post as well 😉
Kathrin recently posted…Want to Volunteer Abroad? 3 Travel Bloggers Reveal Their Exciting Experiences
Thank you Kathyrn. That feeling of void was so hard to cope with that taking risks seems easy in comparison!
This is awesome! I’m happy you found your passion by stepping out and claiming the world as your own! Congrats on your 100th post as well!
Joe Ankenbauer recently posted…Mobile Photography: Advanced Exposure & Focus
Thanks Joe. I spent so many years wondering what my passion was, I’m so glad I discovered it.
Your Travel Story is just something I can relate to. Travelling alone is a big decision but it was worth it! I remember the day I first travelled on own three years ago. I made a lot of friends that time and It was just one of those moments which I will never forget when I travelled around the pacific. I admire you for your solo trip to Spain, I am from that country and you teaching English as a volunteer is inspiring.. Keep it up!
Thank you Mar, I absolutely love Spain, it’s a place I can see myself living in long term. It was the perfect place to try solo travel for the first time.