I think I re-wrote my first blog post about four times before deciding that this would be a much better way to start, so I’ve saved that as the second one.
To be able to travel is a privilege and if you’re ever granted the opportunity you should grab it, you won’t regret it. Even if things don’t turn out like the Instagram feed of your dreams, it’s ok. You will have learned so much on your journey that you can only look back and smile at what you achieved, you’re brave to leave everything and go. What you might regret one day is not going and I don’t think it’s worth waiting around, watching time slip by to see if you should have gone. For me, your life should be one big adventure – so travel: always.
B e Scared
You will be scared and you should be, you’re about to set out on a massive journey, take that feeling and enjoy it. The knots in your stomach and the butterflies in your chest only add to the adventure. That feeling fades with time, which is good since it means you gained your confidence and found your feet. I find myself craving that same scared feeling I had before I set off on my own adventure. I don’t think I will ever feel it again as heightened as I did and whilst I miss it, I know now the only thing I was scared of was myself.
B e Safe
I said being scared is good, it keeps your ego intact (at least until you gain some confidence) and use it to take caution and sense danger in some of the things you will do. Saying that, I’m a believer in what we feel we attract – if you’re scared people can sense that and might take advantage. But if you do feel scared or unsafe, get yourself out of that situation. Even if it means asking a stranger for help or telling yourself you’re not scared (from my experience, if you say it enough times it becomes true).
B e Smart
One rule I lived by was ‘would I do it in my home town?’ Would I dine alfresco in London and leave my bag next to me on the floor, no. Would I accept drinks from the creepy guy in the bar, no. Would I wonder off on my own with out knowing where I was going, probably not. You get the gist, be scared (sometimes), be safe, be smart.
Things You Will Need
- A commitment to saving money – although if you’re wise (and you will probably only be wiser once you take time to reflect after travelling) you don’t need that much.
- You might not need a lot of money but you will need your common sense (re-read section about being smart).
- Your ego in check. Don’t be over confident somewhere where you’re a stranger. Be respectful, be present and be genuine.
- A sense of humour. At least be able to laugh at yourself because projectile vomiting at 4000 meters out the side of the bus is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it should be hilarious five minutes later when you feel human again.
- Flipflops
- Your hand permanently holding a peace sign ready for any photo op.
Things You Won’t Need
- A bag bigger than 40 litres. If you don’t know what size that is go to the Northface store and touch all the backpacks until you find the smallest and that’s the one you need to buy.
- Your glam squad. Go natural (at least almost all natural).
- Hiking boots. You actually probably do need them but unless yours are the equivalent of slippers or you only plan to hike, some sturdy trainers will work and they weigh a lot less.
- Your winey voice
- Wifi (all the time). Be scared and stay at a hostel without Internet, you will have the most epic time.
- Sleeping Bag Liner
