It's crazy to think that the time has finally come. The time in your life when you actually go out and do something crazy that actually justifies the fact that you're "living life to the fullest." The time in your life when you're doing something meaningful every day, trying to get as much out of your life as you can. For me, living a meaningful life has always meant traveling to as many places as I possibly can, seeing as much of this world as I possibly can, and meeting as many different people from as many different cultures as I possibly can. This is the time that I try to make this a reality. The time in my life where I initiate the real 'life' that I've wanted to have. It's definitely surreal and hasn't hit me at all yet really.
For the most part, I've just been going with the flow and scrambling to prepare as much as possible. I know that I won't be fully prepared, but I'll at least be ready enough to take on the adventure. The fact that I'm traveling with my best friend Alex also helps out quite a bit, and I'll be able to share at least some of these experiences with him. It'll also make the traveling a bit more enjoyable, and it'll be easier to meet more people with both of us traveling together.
I think I always knew that I would eventually do something like this; quitting a good job and setting out to do what I really want to do, regardless of how good my situation was back home. It's hard to believe that more people don't actually take that leap of faith and go do what they really want. It is pretty scary at the same time, but when I remind myself that this is what I want to be doing and realize that's it's actually becoming a reality, I can't help but get excited and just stoked that I'm actually doing it.
One thing that is pretty scary is how little I'm taking with me. One carry-on size bag full of the bare necessities. I've never packed this light for most of my trips in general, let alone the biggest, longest trip of my life. I'm definitely taking the minimalist approach to this but that's part of the challenge. I wanna see if I can do it, and I really believe that I can.
There is a lot of uncertainty with this whole trip, but I know that if I can keep the mindset that everything will work out then I know for a fact that things will work out and I will be able to accomplish what I've set out to do.
I've told most people that I want to travel around for a bit then find a job in Europe somewhere and work/live abroad for awhile, at least for one year. I don't know what the job situation will be yet, but again, keeping that positive mindset has helped ease any worries and I know I'll be able to figure something out.
Although, now that I'm actually doing this, it's hard not to entertain some other ambitious ideas. I've had some other things bounce around in my mind and have thought 'what if' and have left those open as possible situations. For one, provided the financial situation stays okay, I can't help but think to just keep going, keep traveling. Why stop? If I can still support myself on the road long enough, why should I settle down? I might as well keep going, beyond Europe, and explore the rest of the world. I'm going to eventually anyways, so why not now? Especially now that I'm at the young and ambitious stage of my life.
Also, my passion for snowboarding hasn't even come close to diminishing and it's one of the things I'm going to miss the most while I'm gone. But just because I'm traveling in Europe doesn't mean I have to give up snowboarding. In fact, it means I can do it more while still exploring and meeting new people. Thus, the idea of working at a ski resort out here is another ambitious idea I've had as well, and I wouldn't rule that out either.
It's funny how much my mind has been running since this whole trip has become a reality. It's a good thing though because I have a ton of ideas and backup plans for what I'll be doing. With each new idea and plan I become more confident in myself and what I am capable of, which only helps me and motivates me more to do what I want to do.
Anyways, I think that's enough for my first blog post of this crazy adventure, and with that I am off on the journey and couldn't be happier. I'm currently finishing off the first city of our visit, with a blog post coming up for that as well.
So far so good!
P.S. Here is a list of the items that I'm taking with me (pictured below):
For the most part, I've just been going with the flow and scrambling to prepare as much as possible. I know that I won't be fully prepared, but I'll at least be ready enough to take on the adventure. The fact that I'm traveling with my best friend Alex also helps out quite a bit, and I'll be able to share at least some of these experiences with him. It'll also make the traveling a bit more enjoyable, and it'll be easier to meet more people with both of us traveling together.
I think I always knew that I would eventually do something like this; quitting a good job and setting out to do what I really want to do, regardless of how good my situation was back home. It's hard to believe that more people don't actually take that leap of faith and go do what they really want. It is pretty scary at the same time, but when I remind myself that this is what I want to be doing and realize that's it's actually becoming a reality, I can't help but get excited and just stoked that I'm actually doing it.
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| My new home. All packed into one carry-on size bag! |
There is a lot of uncertainty with this whole trip, but I know that if I can keep the mindset that everything will work out then I know for a fact that things will work out and I will be able to accomplish what I've set out to do.
I've told most people that I want to travel around for a bit then find a job in Europe somewhere and work/live abroad for awhile, at least for one year. I don't know what the job situation will be yet, but again, keeping that positive mindset has helped ease any worries and I know I'll be able to figure something out.
Although, now that I'm actually doing this, it's hard not to entertain some other ambitious ideas. I've had some other things bounce around in my mind and have thought 'what if' and have left those open as possible situations. For one, provided the financial situation stays okay, I can't help but think to just keep going, keep traveling. Why stop? If I can still support myself on the road long enough, why should I settle down? I might as well keep going, beyond Europe, and explore the rest of the world. I'm going to eventually anyways, so why not now? Especially now that I'm at the young and ambitious stage of my life.
 |
| Alex and I all ready to go! |
It's funny how much my mind has been running since this whole trip has become a reality. It's a good thing though because I have a ton of ideas and backup plans for what I'll be doing. With each new idea and plan I become more confident in myself and what I am capable of, which only helps me and motivates me more to do what I want to do.
Anyways, I think that's enough for my first blog post of this crazy adventure, and with that I am off on the journey and couldn't be happier. I'm currently finishing off the first city of our visit, with a blog post coming up for that as well.
So far so good!
P.S. Here is a list of the items that I'm taking with me (pictured below):
Two soap pouches
Notebook
Adapter
Tide stain remover
Headphones
Earplugs
Carabiners
Chapstick
Bag lock
Belt
Toiletries (shaving cream, toothbrush, hair product, floss,
toothpaste, deodorant, cologne, Neosporin, sunscreen, travel razor, shampoo)
Quaff
Umbrella
Water bottle
Travel Towel
Laptop cable
Laptop
iphone charger
Ray-Ban's
Gloves
Beanie
One pair of shorts
One pair of chinos
One long sleeve shirt
One undershirt
Two tee shirts
One polo
One button up
Three pairs of regular socks
Two pairs of long socks
One pair of jeans
Five pairs of underwear
Sink stopper
Laundry detergent
Backup hardrive
First aid kit
Pen
Wallet
Passport
Money belt
Jacket
Wrinkle remover
Lens cleaner
Clothesline
Eurail pass
Thermals
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| The bare necessities! |
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