So, by now, if you’ve been reading along, I’m unemployed. This new series, Educated Mess, is my journey through the Isle of Dogs to my home. What makes me happy? My life has been a steaming garbage pile of a mess the past few years, but I was so busy at work I just kept blazing through.
Before I left for Cape Town in 2005, I did this thing, I started second-guessing my trip and got scared to leave.
This was my first big trip in several years, Italy was in 2000, and I wasn’t going with my sister this time. My anxiety had roots in little things like my creature comforts (my couch) and routine (cuddling with my cat before sleep, going to the gym, seeing my friends).
There’s a picture still vivid in my memory of this time; I am sitting on my sage green sofa in our living room. My parents bought it for my sister and me, as well as this little garden patio home, which they thankfully unloaded shortly after the recession. Watching my TV that sat in this massive 1990’s style TV console, and thinking I really like this place. I really love my home, I’m comfortable here.
Years ago I wrote an article called Dim Sum for One.
Let me first say I had no idea how dim sum worked, had never had dim sum, and assumed it was solely a group activity. It was something I dearly wanted to experience.
However, the thought process and underlying meaning of the desired experience still stood. Back then, I was processing life as a single woman and all the things that meant for me, my bucket list, and what I thought I could and couldn’t do in life.
This summer I made a solo travel ‘things I love’ listTraveling alone is scary for some people. For me (and many others), it’s my favorite way to travel. Don’t get me wrong, sharing dinner or a beautiful view with someone else is wonderful, and I love traveling with other free spirits.
However, traveling alone is an experience, for an extrovert (and people pleaser), of meeting new people, and giving myself time to be quiet and relax in a way I don’t know yet how to do around others.