There is nothing quite like the moment you begin to know who you are. You’ll think you have it figured out a hundred times before you ever even start to. Each time you will look back at the last, and think of how silly you were. Then soon enough, you’ll be lost all over again. We’re not actually lost though. That’s just what we like to call that reoccurring stage where we haven’t a clue what we’re doing with our life. Everything around us is still familiar, and we know exactly where we are. We just aren’t sure if that’s where we belong. Well, speaking for myself, I began to know who I was the moment I was literally the most lost I have ever been.
Once again, I thought I had it all figured out. I was set to start my career, I was falling in love, and I was planning to spend the money I saved on “responsible” investments. Moving abroad had always been a dream of mine, and I always expected it to remain a dream. But one day, that dream of mine jolted from the back of my mind to the front at lightening speed, and was stomping all over those plans I made. For more reasons that I can count, I am so fortunate that it did.
As humans, we get to know the world in one of three ways. There’s the people whose curiosity drives them as far as the library, and others whose flies them across the world. The rest of us are just like them, except we didn’t purchase a return flight.
In less than two months, I was wandering Dublin alone in the lashing rain without any direction – and it felt incredible! I had nowhere I needed to go, nobody I needed to see, and nothing I needed to do. I was free. I thought I had felt independence before, but nothing compared to that day.
As I developed a life in the Emerald Isle, I realized where strength and happiness laid – in the exact same bed. Parts of who I am began falling into place. Interests and hobbies were starting to stand out to me, and I had never felt so honest in the entirety of my life. The fear of making friends disappeared my first day. It didn’t matter how poor I felt, there was always somewhere new to go, and something new to see. “Bored” vanished from my vocabulary the day I stepped off that plane.
My mind became wide open, and my ignorance rapidly disappeared. I was awakened. Although I am back in Canada (for the time being), my feelings towards myself and the world around me are much different than before I took a leap across the Atlantic. Along with all the other countries I visited, I have a new found respect for Canada. I have always loved this country I call home, but never had I understood our culture more until I was viewing it from the other side. It may take a lifetime to fully figure out who I am, but I wouldn’t have got this far yet if it weren’t for a little wanderlust. My hopes will forever be high – no matter where my feet land.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.
