The Skip in My Step - My Inspiration and Why I Relocate so Frequently
I am still so new to the blogging scene, but the deeper I dive into this virtual world, the more I respect the bloggers who have motivated and inspired me. One of my absolute favorites is Alex in Wanderland. I came across her blog in college while seeking someone to live vicariously through - anything to take me away from the hefty Thermodynamics and Physical Chemistry textbooks in front of me. Her style of writing, her humor, her love of diving and being underwater, and her beautiful photography kept my eyes glued to the screen and sparked my excitement whenever I saw a new post in my inbox. She has such an honest way of writing, and she can paint the most incredibly clear picture of a place or event simply through her words and photos. You really do get a sense of being there yourself, which I think is the trait of any good travel writer. I have her to thank for a lot of my inspiration and the kick in the pants that led me to start my own passion project.
One of the things I fully appreciate about Alex is that she doesn't hesitate to address painful personal situations, problems, griefs and troubles that she's dealt with. What Matters Most is How Well You Walk Through Fire is a beautifully written post about travel and life philosophy that I encourage you to read. It goes into depth describing how Alex's past troubles have shaped her into the fiercely independent woman she is today.
“Had I traveled hoping to escape my pain and problems, I would have been sorely disappointed. Instead, I traveled to find the space – mentally and physically – that I needed to dive headfirst into them.”
This is the most beautiful conglomeration of words that I've read in a while. It feels so relevant. Every single human being on the face of this planet has their own pain and problems, but it isn't the possession of troubles that defines who we are - it is how they are dealt with that is the key to growing and moving forward. If they aren't handled properly, or if they're simply ignored, they have a way of coming right back at us and nipping us in the butt, even if it's years down the road.
I'm not using this as a launching pad to discuss my various issues. All I want to say is that travel and frequent relocation has helped me grow immensely. It keeps changing my perspective. It has introduced me to a wide variety of people that I have grown to both love and respect, and helped me build confidence in discussing my own viewpoints with those I disagree with. Yet, there are positives and negatives to moving and travel. It pushes all of my buttons. It makes me scream, and cry, and call home frequently fretting over the fact that "I have no idea what I'm doing." But it has led me to find solace in running, yoga, and meditation, which has been extremely beneficial to my wellbeing.
There are an infinite number of reasons I am so grateful to have lived the first half of my twenties in a number of different places. Like Alex described, it has given me mental space to sort through my worries, anxieties, and stressors. And the beauty is that it never, ever gets old - there is always a new mountain to climb or a new coastline to cruise by. This is my drive. This is my biggest source of inspiration.
It's the skip in my step, the dimples in my cheeks, and the sunshine in my day!
So how do you feel about travel - and why?
