With exactly four weeks to go now until I leave for my travels and two weeks until I leave my job at Simmons & Simmons LLP, I can honestly say that I have never experienced emotions like this. The constant mixed feelings of excitement, happiness, anxiety, nerves, upset and fear. Everything sparked by change and the unknown.
I have always felt like a strong person, someone who happily spends time alone, deals with change, can fend for themselves in difficult situations, someone who is happy travelling solo and spends most of their time meeting new people. I have always wanted to travel and am now on my way to achieving that dream… So why am I feeling this way?
Over the last couple of months, I have had so many words of encouragement from family, friends and strangers, however I have also had some people who have felt the need to want to put doubt in my mind and make me question whether I am making the right decision. Saying things like ‘Aren’t you afraid? I would be scared if that was me.’ ‘Be careful won’t you, don’t trust anyone’. ‘I think you are mad, it is so dangerous.’ ‘You’re going to have no money.’ ‘Seems silly giving up your life.’ ‘You’ve got bigger balls than me.’ – which is my favourite so far!
I always knew that when I booked my trip people would have their opinions and that travelling isn’t for everyone. I told myself that negative comments wouldn’t mean anything if people didn’t understand my passion for travelling and the need for me to change my life. BUT when people say comments like this, it is only natural to feel somewhat nervous and emotional. I mean I am completely turning my life upside down after all - moving out of my flat, leaving my job, my friends and family, so I guess it is only natural to feel this way.
As I sit there reading my STA travel brochures, I get excited but then I start to feel overwhelmed. I start to realise that the world is a big place and there are so many places I haven’t visited – and then reality sinks in that I will be travelling it all solo. This is no longer a two-week holiday, this is much bigger and something I have never experienced before.
To try understand the way I am feeling, I searched the internet and found many websites that explain the emotional roller coaster before and during travelling, so I know that I am not alone. There are many people who have either experienced it or are currently experiencing it like me. They say the key is to focus on the positive and ignore the negative comments.
All I can say to anyone who is thinking of changing their life and travelling the world, then you too will experience the emotional roller coaster. It’s tough but hang in there… Making a big decision to change your life the way I have isn’t easy but if you want it as much as I do, then it’s a small price to pay when you finally get to pursue your dream! As someone said to me the other day: ‘Don’t say Goodbye, say Au Revoir’.
I am keen to hear from you with regards to whether you have ever experienced the emotional roller coaster prior to travelling or when you have been away... If you would like to get in touch please contact me by email or through my Instagram or Twitter accounts.
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