**originally started on 4/18/18**
I wrote in my journal everyday while trekking to Everest Base Camp like I did when I went to Kilimanjaro. Actually it was the same journal, continued. And I thought about a lot. But I haven’t figured out yet how I want to put this all on paper, or out there in cyberspace (my blog).
It seems as of late my traveling has brought me to life changing experiences. I haven’t figured out why yet. Maybe I was being held back from these before for a reason. Maybe the universe was waiting til toxicity left my life to bring about these opportunities to teach me more lessons. Whatever it is, it’s making it harder for me to settle back into my life at home. I don’t want to come back home, well, other than to see my dogs. And my friends and family, of course.
There are these shifts that traveling can leave. Or maybe it’s a transformation. I’m not trying to escape my life because honestly I have a good life. I have work where I earn a decent paycheck, a roof over my head, a yard where I can sit in the warm sun each afternoon, my dogs greet me with unconditional love each day, my friends lovingly support me. It’s really pretty good!
Each trip gives me so much more than the last. Maybe it won’t always be like this, but I’ll take it for now. There’s 193 countries and I’ve barely scratched the surface at 23 checked off. But it’s not just checking them off the list or whether it’s a bucket list item. Because I don’t really have bucket list items anymore. Everything is all out there for me to find and see and do.
I find that the more I travel, the more I want to continue to learn more about what’s out there and crave more adventure. No, I’m not an adrenaline junkie, as someone once called me. I just thirst for more. I have even found traveling alone to be freeing and wonderful. I was never afraid to go by myself before, but now I’m in a position without a partner and it’s happened naturally and it’s been amazing.
I’ve been asked a lot about how I can afford this lifestyle or what do I do for for work or am I sponsored. It makes me laugh. I don’t spend my money on frivolous things. My money goes to running and traveling (more towards traveling). It’s my priority and what I love. I actually don’t make the $90-100K like I used to when I worked in sales. I make a fraction of that. But it’s what’s important to me and no matter what’s going on in my life, travel will always be a priority.
My aunt gave me a book many years ago before she passed away. It’s called “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz. She also bought me my Canon Rebel XTI SLR digital camera. I guess she knew many years ago where my life was going to go and what would end up being my hobbies.
Lately, people keep asking me “what’s next?” and honestly, I don’t know. I just find things that seem interesting and adventurous (without being too risky) and I do them. I just make it happen. If it’s in my budget (my budget traveler’s budget), then I just go. It’s easy.
After watching a beautiful short video a Canadian filmmaker and climber put together of Everest Base Camp, the film ended with this: “Find a way of life you love and have the courage to live it.” This is how I want to live my life and I encourage you to do the same.