I Was Scared To Travel For Almost A Decade, But The Travel Bug Is Back
Stop waiting to live out your travel dreams
Don’t get me wrong, I got into some extensive travel as a kid, but once I started my career in corporate, settled down, and got some dogs, my travel bug disappeared for a while.
Recently, I got back into my travel, and I’ve been traveling nonstop for the past few months.
I only plan to continue my travels from here — no matter what work, family, or dog arrangements I need.
The travel bug is back, and I don’t plan on ever letting go of it again.
Fear can keep you in the same place for a lifetime.
It kept me mostly in the same place for several years.
If I traveled, I only went to familiar places; it was a sense of control for me and my addiction to living in my comfort zone.
Now that I’ve busted that bubble, nothing can hold me back.
I’m finally visiting the places I’ve always dreamed of visiting and adding places to the list that I never considered.
I’m grateful I can travel, and my words to you would be if you think you can’t travel, find a way to do it anyways.
There is so much life and self to explore abroad or domestically in unfamiliar territory.
The Effects of Covid-19 On Travel
Once COVID-19 hit, I was paralyzed.
Not only did I fear exiting the country, but I feared if I did leave it, I wouldn’t make it back safely.
The fear was so intense that I experienced panic attacks on the plane the first two times I was on my way to exit the country, but after that, I haven’t experienced any more. I pushed through it, and once I did, I never looked back.
I feel like I tapped back into my old fearless, traveling-bug-like self that enjoyed being at the airport, on an airplane, and in another place that wasn’t called home.
Pandemics, wars, mass shootings, and everything happening in the world can do one of two things:
- Make us more aware.
- Make us more fearful.
For me, I chose option #1.
These elements will always be a part of life as we know it.
We cannot escape danger. So we must learn to thrive in it to experience all life offers.
Don’t continue waiting to travel if fear has been stopping you. Break through the barriers.
What If I’m Too Broke?
I raised $8,000 in high school to travel to seven countries.
I then raised $12,000 during college to travel to Asia.
I wasn’t rich; I didn’t have a full-time job; I didn’t have a consistent income, but I had a goal.
I was going to make my travel dreams come true.
I wasn’t going to wait until later in life to get going.
Whether you are young or old, don’t wait to travel.
Cheers to nomads and people with the travel bug.