Positive Things Travel Has Taught Me

Wow, so I’m back. This is crazy, after nine months away it’s all come to an end. I originally started this post whilst flying. According to my original version it was 04:16am Sydney time, I’d been flying for the past 7.04 hours, I was somewhere near Java Trench according to the map and therefore half way to Abu Dhabi.

It got me thinking about my trip and gave me some reflection time. However when I landed and got home I felt really, really weird about being back so I wanted to let everything sink in before I wrote this post. Knowing me I’ll probably ramble on but I hope I can get what I want to say out in an understandable way.

To say that travelling has taught me a lot would be the world’s biggest understatement…ever. Looking back on myself when I left in October to now I can’t believe how much I’ve changed (well at least how much I think I’ve changed). In October 2016, although so excited for what was ahead, I was terrified. I think a lot of people see me as confident but I’m lucky I’ve always been able to BS it in certain situations, but not so much in this case. As I cried my way through security I was thinking ‘what the hell am I doing?!’ Seeing the plane sent me into major panic mode, I don’t think anyone has ever taken so much Rescue Remedy in one go and I clearly remember thinking after taking off ‘you can’t turn around or change your mind for 6 hours’. Thankfully I never changed my mind and as I landed in Sydney I already felt a huge sense of accomplishment.

This trip taught me self confidence, independence, gratitude and taught me some good home truths.

My confidence and ability to be independent had been at a low for a long time. I was also convinced I was done with my job and the stresses it brought. I had no choice when travelling but to learn to cope on my own, to become resourceful when looking for jobs and saving money. I lived in places I don’t think anyone at home thought I would have lasted 5 minutes a.k.a hostels. I’ve worked in housekeeping (let’s be honest not glamorous and hostel sheets are well used if you catch my drift) and cleaned kitchens for accommodation and it massively humbled me as to how good I had things at home. I did have some nice jobs too, such as a receptionist and retail sales assistant, but overall the trip taught me that the one thing (my job) I thought I was done with I actually like and was meant to do.

I met the most amazing people on this trip. People who brought me out of my shell. The great thing with travelling is it’s kind of like university where you all have the same interest and you’re all there for the same purpose. The people I’ve met helped change me and my perspective on things and they are 100% friends for life.

The trip taught me to be grateful for the things I took for granted. I missed my friends and family so much and I can’t wait to catch up with all of them. Having my own bedroom and not having to share bathrooms is absolutely heaven. Having free health care is a dream; although the NHS isn’t perfect I’m really not going to complain at all about seeing a doctor for free and having free prescriptions. Also the prospect of earning some proper money is thrilling me now I’m home. In theory Australia pays better but when on part time hours it doesn’t work out as you being better off.

With work Australia taught me so, so much and really helped me control my anxiety. Your job is 9-5, you never take your work and associated shit home with you at the end of the day. You have time to go out after work and you live for the weekends which involves going to the beach and surrounding yourself with friends and family. I’m totally guilty of work, work, work back here in the UK. If there was an option of 7 day weeks I’d take them and make no mistake I did. I thought the more I worked the better a person I was, eventually I’d get my dream promotion and the bank balance wasn’t too bad either. Overall it was adding to my anxiety, I was suffering with 2+ panic attacks a week and felt a weight on my shoulders constantly. It wasn’t healthy. Nine months on, I’ve no weight on my shoulders and no panic attacks. The one thing if anything I am determined to keep up is having less stress and not allowing myself to be overwhelmed. ‘No’ is a legitimate word and one which is more than OK to use.

I’d like to think I’m less obsessed with materialistic things. The last week has seen me donate to charity 6 bin bags full of clothes, shoes and handbags. I’d now rather spend my money on making memories than buying things – let’s see how long this lasts. Travel taught me what I can and can’t live without. It taught me that what you have doesn’t make you a better person. My friend who emigrated to New Zealand told me so long as you’re a good person and try to be the best at what you do you’ll be accepted no questions asked there. Maybe in the UK we’re a bit guilty of being superficial and materialistic? We strive for the best of everything, be that houses, cars, clothes, shoes and that’s great, but what happened to just enjoying simple things in life, without the stress of having the best of everything all the time? Don’t get me wrong I want nice things but I’m not going to put the same pressures on myself as I did before to have it all and have it now.

Travel has also taught me it’s OK to be 100% selfish every now and then. To take a step back from everything that causes you stress and take care of you and your dreams is healthy.

So how do I feel about being home? There’s a question. I think some of my friends are expecting me to feel like I’ve come off a three week holiday. I’m not down about being home, it’s great, but it feels weird. For nine months I’ve lived, worked and tried to integrate into a different culture and society. I’m not saying the grass is greener; in the case of Australia I don’t think it was, as for New Zealand I’m exploring options. I’d got used to stupid things like where all the gluten free stuff is in the supermarket and what I can/can’t eat. I got used to the banking systems and having my wages paid weekly and budgeting weekly. I got used to jumping on the bus to the beach, being there within 20 minutes and having a 7km walk along five beaches to Bondi. I got spoilt by the 20km walks there were in NZ and the amount of mountains there are everywhere. I’m used to doing something every day. Home is home. Everyone who’s travelled says the same thing, you get back, you’ve had a life changing experience and nothing else has changed and I think that’s why it feels strange. Who knows what’s going to happen going forwards. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to go back to New Zealand for a little while, but you never know how I’ll feel 4-5 weeks of being back. Right now I feel very lucky to have seen and experienced everything I have so far. I have a great sense of anticipation and excitement for life now, so bring on the next adventure!

Thank you to everyone who’s read my blog, it’s been amazing sharing this with you. I hope you all will still continue to read it. Just because this trip is over doesn’t mean more aren’t to come! 

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