I thought I would share with you this photo…of the calendar entry on my parents’ calendar for the first week of February.
“Julia on her travels”
There you have it. The biggest trip of my life…reduced to one sentence on a week-by-week calendar. If only the trip itself could be condensed to something so simple.
Because I have learned something these last few weeks. Going on an amazing once-in-a-lifetime trip is stressful. And before you spit out your coffee all over your computer screen at the ridiculousness of that sentence, please hear me out.
Firstly, you become the most indecisive person in the world, where before you could make snap decisions with your eyes closed. “Do I really need that pair of shorts? But what if I don’t want to wear trousers or a dress but need something cool? But then what if that colour gets dirty too quickly? Or what if the material is too flimsy and I end up throwing them away due to lack of wear? Do I really want to waste my money if I’m only going to throw them away? But if I don’t buy these shorts, what else will I buy?!”
And so it goes on…..For. Every. Single. Purchase. You. Need. To. Make. I kid you not.
It took me three days just to decide on a suitable protective cover for my Kindle the other day, such has the indecisiveness become.
Then there is the worry that purchasing flights or booking hotels is a bad decision. What if the prices go down? What if you really should have booked that other hostel or bus ticket? Or what if you leave it too late and the last room or ticket goes or heaven forbid, the price goes up? Every backpacker’s worst nightmare.
Lastly there is the emotional rollercoaster of not only having to condense your life to the bundle of goods which you have so stressfully deliberated over buying, but also the fact that you have to say so many goodbyes and run so many errands in the last few weeks that life seems to become one frantic, calendar-filled blur.
And yet the only important calendar entry is that one above. The day you actually leave. The day when all your planning, all your deliberation, goes out of the window and you just say “Sod it” and just take whatever comes your way.
Because that’s the only important thing. Not shorts, not Kindle covers, not whether you have enough toiletries. All of these things are just a precursor to a life-changing event. And this is one calendar entry that you will never forget. Even if it means gaining a few stress lines along the way.
Best of luck kid – believe me what seems important now will not on the road!
I know you’re right! It’s ridiculous 🙂 Thanks for the support.
Best of luck kid – believe me what seems important now will not on the road!
I know you’re right! It’s ridiculous 🙂 Thanks for the support.
Ahh I love this… I know this feeling all to well. It’s just how it goes, but trust me once you are on the road you realize nothing you can do about the choices you have made before the trip and now you are the road and nothing can be done. You also end up realizing that it was so much easier then you thought it was. Ahh you are going to love it. Soak every second in, becuase this is it…
I love that short sentence… that is scary how something so big can be reduced to something so tiny.
So the big day is coming… EEEEEEEeeeeeeee~
Ahh I love this… I know this feeling all to well. It’s just how it goes, but trust me once you are on the road you realize nothing you can do about the choices you have made before the trip and now you are the road and nothing can be done. You also end up realizing that it was so much easier then you thought it was. Ahh you are going to love it. Soak every second in, becuase this is it…
I love that short sentence… that is scary how something so big can be reduced to something so tiny.
So the big day is coming… EEEEEEEeeeeeeee~
EEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeee indeed.
I was thinking about you while I was out and about driving today. I remember the feelings leading up to the day I left for Oz, and those were some stress-filled months! So happy you’re getting ready to begin the epic adventure.
And congrats on deciding on the Kindle cover! 😉 🙂
I was thinking about you while I was out and about driving today. I remember the feelings leading up to the day I left for Oz, and those were some stress-filled months! So happy you’re getting ready to begin the epic adventure.
And congrats on deciding on the Kindle cover! 😉 🙂
Haha thanks Heather! It was pretty stressful hitting “purchase”, I can tell you 😉
Oh man, I’m getting excited for you!
Thanks Scott!
Oh man, I’m getting excited for you!
i’m so excited for you, julia! seriously! everything will work out though. don’t worry. i recently learned the ability to take things as they come. it’s an art, really. 🙂 so i guess, i’ll see you on the road then!
Haha it’s good to know from others out travelling that I’m not totally insane 😉
I understand your concerns. Can only tell you to breathe, let it all in, exhale and smile. You’re almost there. You are going to get a location during your travels where you will suddenly smile and realize, “Wow, I did it!”
Wow, yes, I hope so. I don’t see how you couldn’t be like that when you’re faced with some of the wonderful sights out there!
I understand your concerns. Can only tell you to breathe, let it all in, exhale and smile. You’re almost there. You are going to get a location during your travels where you will suddenly smile and realize, “Wow, I did it!”
Wow, yes, I hope so. I don’t see how you couldn’t be like that when you’re faced with some of the wonderful sights out there!
I can’t even fathom the stress levels you must be dealing with. Especially since the longest trip we’ve ever taken was 2 weeks, and packing for that drove me bonkers. I think, as with most things, the anticipation and waiting is probably the hardest part, because there’s always trepidation about taking such a big leap. But I’m sure once you take that first step on your journey, you’ll find your step getting lighter and lighter as you go.
I love that sentiment….I am sure that with great adventure comes great freedom – and that includes not caring about the contents of your backpack!
It took me way too long to recognize that the title was Killers inspired! I love that pic, it is so truly symbolic and is in reality the first image of the trip!
Ah, I understand this. We are leaving in May and have started to think about what we will pack (because it is fun to daydream) and everything that we own seems like a bad decision and everything new seems like the best decision (image that). Anyway, safe and joyful travels to you 🙂
Ah, I understand this. We are leaving in May and have started to think about what we will pack (because it is fun to daydream) and everything that we own seems like a bad decision and everything new seems like the best decision (image that). Anyway, safe and joyful travels to you 🙂
You’ve put it so eloquently! I’m at the stage of buying items for next year’s great escape, and I go through the same mental hoops with EVERY purchase. But when you’re traveling, and you have that ultimate freedom to experience life, it must be all worth it. You’re big trip is almost here Julia! 🙂
You’ve put it so eloquently! I’m at the stage of buying items for next year’s great escape, and I go through the same mental hoops with EVERY purchase. But when you’re traveling, and you have that ultimate freedom to experience life, it must be all worth it. You’re big trip is almost here Julia! 🙂
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!! Can’t wait 🙂
EEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 🙂
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!! Can’t wait 🙂
EEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 🙂
I hear ya sista! We leave in three days, and there still seems like so much to do!!! Sell two cars, move out of our home, get rid of the rest of our junk… And I thought I was organized?! Can’t wait to get on that plane, I hope you made yours okay, and are not experiencing any buyers remorse over that Kindle cover!
I hear ya sista! We leave in three days, and there still seems like so much to do!!! Sell two cars, move out of our home, get rid of the rest of our junk… And I thought I was organized?! Can’t wait to get on that plane, I hope you made yours okay, and are not experiencing any buyers remorse over that Kindle cover!