Shut Up and Travel

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

I’m sorry I’ve been absent from the blogsphere for a few weeks, but I’ve been completely distracted with Kim Kardashian’s wedding. OMG, when she was going down that isle, I was reminded of that great Shakespearian quote, “Love is not love when….wait WHAT THE HELL AM I TALKING ABOUT!

In an effort to stave off your need for Kim-O-Mania I thought we should discuss travel after college. I know most of you, okay all of you, have already thought about it, but a majority of you won’t actually do it. It’s too expensive, too complicated, or too scary. Fear, is probably the number one reason most people don’t travel after college. The thing to remember is this: There are two types of people in this world, those who travel and those who obsess over Kim Kardashian’s floral arrangements. If you can do both, you are truly a Godly person.

You see, every man, woman, and child is born with the seed of romanticism planted in their hearts. It is a natural part of our existence. We all hunger for something greater than ourselves and sometimes that greatness takes the form of a homely NBA player and his curvy Armenian-American bride. To put it another way, there’s a reason that bookstores still flood their shelves with the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson and Alexander Dumas. Although it’s different for each of us, we want adventure, and chance to experience a world greater than our own.

Now, I’m sure you already know that traveling is an excellent way to find oneself. It centers you by giving you an attainable goal in an otherwise chaotic existence, allowing you to actually figure out what you want. It pits you against yourself in a totally new environment. For most of us, it’s the first time we’ve gotten to break free from our childhood shackles and think of ourselves as an actual adult. It also gives you a great opportunity to take a step back and re-evaluate your priorities.

Before you start complaining that you can’t afford it, think again. First of all, coming out of college you are probably in debt anyway right? Most people can’t afford to backpack their way through Europe for a year. However, there are plenty of inexpensive ways for you to travel both in and out of the country That’s right, don’t rule domestic travel out! Camping is a fairly inexpensive way to see new things and slake your need for travel. Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, the beaches of Florida, the Appalachians, all of these places hold plenty of adventure for those willing to find it. If you’re not an outdoors person, places like Vegas, New York, Seattle also hold plenty of opportunities for the would-be traveler. Hostels are fairly inexpensive and available in most major cities! If you are looking for something a little bit bigger, but feel selfish just travelling for fun, AmeriCorps provides lots of volunteer opportunities all around the country which would allow you to travel…yes that’s right…for free!

Now let’s say you want to travel somewhere a little more exotic, but don’t feel that you have the financial needs to do so, being the jobless wonder that you are. There are a cornucopia of different volunteer groups that would be glad send you somewhere far off in exchange for your services. You can work on an organic farm in Oregon or Mexico with WWOOF or teach English in Korea with TEFL. These are just a few of the many groups which can provide opportunities for you. You can simultaneously fulfill your needs, help others, and bolster your resume for future job prospects. Most employers LOVE to see volunteer work!

The key is RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH! The internet is your oyster! Some travel guides such as The Lonely Planet series pride themselves on helping youth travelers find cheap ways to live their dream!

If you’re concerned about your parents looking down on you, don’t be! When you ask older generations what they regret most about their post-brainery years, it’s usually that they did not travel. In fact, it seems to be one of the most universal regrets of the middle class. I would be utterly shocked if you found someone who traveled and actually regretted the entire experience. Often times you’ll find parents encourage travel because they themselves missed out on the opportunity.

The best advice I’ve ever received about traveling is this: Take a piece of paper and write down the pros and cons of traveling. Once you see it on paper, you’ll realize that you have little excuse for not doing it.

Chances are, you are just afraid, and fear should be faced.

Here is a list of resources to help give you some more perspective on travel: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn (For you hardcore thrill seekers!)
http://www.collegeaftermath.com/life-adventures-after-college/going-abroad-travel-work-volunteer/ (Some good advice for why you should travel, and after college advice in general)
http://www.americorps.gov/ (Domestic travel and helping your fellow citizens!)
http://www.wwoof.org/ (Volunteer on an Organic farm!)
http://teflinstitute.com/teaching-english-abroad.php?gclid=COGPjPay5qoCFQFzgwod2zHs5w (Do you speak English and have a need to travel?)
http://studenttravel.about.com/od/planyourtrip/p/reasons_travel.htm (More reasons that support my theory that travel is good!

Paper Phantoms

“Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.” – Mark Twain


Fear is an inescapable facet of the human condition. It is one of the great equalizers in this world and a constant reminder of our own perceived inadequacies. Like an over bearing mother it seeks to control our lives and suffocate us. Yet it is only when we face these fears, when we challenge them, that we have the ability to grow as people. Only then do we realize that those things that seemed so real before were simply paper phantoms drifting in the wind. It is then that we see the bars that have held us captive and reflect on all the things we have yet to do and accomplish.

It is rather remarkable, the number of people I have met, who live with perpetual regret. They dwell on everything they wanted to do, everything they should have done, and cast these dreams off as fantasy. Parents with children, blame the children. Young adults with jobs, blame the economy. They are so frightened of the world around them that they dare not move for fear of falling into a gaping chasm. It’s one of the saddest and most terrifying sights in the world. The worst part is, fear is contagious and it spreads like some awful disease. Before you know it, you have absorbed their fears on top of your own and you’ve locked yourself away in the safety and security of what you think “right.” Then you live out your days like them, regretting all the things you did not do.

The reason I bring this up, is that fear is something I have been struggling with a lot in the last year. Some nights, I don’t sleep so well because I can’t escape my own fears. My mind is a torrent of “What Ifs” and “What nows?” For a while I couldn’t relax and my anxiety was through the rough. Not to worry though, I’m better now, and have found ways to deal with my fear. I move forward in spite of them and I do not force myself into a box. I don’t force myself to be anything I’m not. I just live as I see fit. I guess that makes me brave.

A friend of mine, has a lot of trouble with fear. She has this idea that there are things she must do, or she will look like a failure. She tells herself she’s not good enough, not strong enough, and that the world will break her. She’s wrong. She is very, very, very wrong. There is more strength and bravery in her than in a thousand others. I’ve seen her smile through the kind of pain that would cripple most people. But there are times…many times, mostly late at night, when she lets her fear get the best of her and that scares me. I don’t want her to ever live in regret of all the things she did not do. I want her to travel, or if she doesn’t want to, I at least want her to find something she really wants to do. I want her believe in herself, like everyone around her believes in her.

So now you’re thinking about it. You are thinking about all the fear inside of you and you are trying so hard not to climb into a dark hole and just stay there. I promise you, your fears will subside, if you push through them. Find what it is that drives you, and pursue it. It might be terrifying. Others will try to scare you off, but you must keep going. You must remember that fear does not control your life. You are in control and can tear down these paper phantoms anytime you want. Just stop and think, remember what makes you strong. Remember all that you have survived and all that you have accomplished. You might fail. You might stumble and stutter, but when you make it through to the other side, you will feel stronger than you have ever felt in your life. Now is the time. Now is the time. Don’t let your fears cloak you in regret and self-doubt. Remember that you are strong. That you are good enough and that if you’ve made it this far, you can do anything. NOW IS THE TIME.

P.S. Hugh Grant is awesome! Watch out for FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS in California. I want to go to Dollywood to see Dolly Parton....Warren Buffet!