I’m going through my old travel journals and finding common themes. Synchronicities are everywhere if we open our eyes. I found a note I wrote on 15 June 2024 that I want to share here. It was written 1,5 years ago, and it still feels true. It’s still authentic to me. It’s still how I feel. It’s freedom. I want to share that freedom with you.

People often ask me why I don't want to go back. Back to a place that used to be called home. And the reason is because I feel I've outgrown that place. I have seen different parts of life, different cultures, different places, different people. I've had conversations with people who entirely challenged the way that I think and I have gone to locations that are just so entirely unique and different that it creates a longing to find other places like that. But the place that used to be home is not home anymore. I feel that's a place surrounded or filled with people who think the same way without challenging each other and are comfortable in that safety. And simultaneously, have no desire to push themselves or to challenge the status quo, and I feel that is what makes them tired - tired in the sense of literally being groggy and also have no excitement in their life. Because they don't know what's out there, or they do but they're too scared to do anything about it. And I feel that I can't connect with those people. So, the people that live in the place that used to be home are not for me. I got tired of trying to convince even just my friends that there's a whole world out there because they don't understand and quite truthfully, I can't understand why they don't want to go see it. So, why don't I want to go back home? Because it hasn't been home for 3 years and I don't think it ever will be again. I've outgrown what that place currently is, and I don't feel any pull to that place, even though it's where I grew up, even though it's where my family is. Most of my friends now are international, who travel and live in different countries other than their own as well. And I think there's something so magical about meeting people who have the same mindset as you because really it comes down to perspective, right? People in the place that I used to call home have a very fixed mindset. They're stubborn and they're fearful. And it's not that I'm not scared, it’s that I do it anyway. But the thing that I'm learning is that the more that you step out of your comfort zone, the more you're able to do before it becomes uncomfortable. And so it's almost as if that line of comfort versus discomfort keeps growing further and further away from you. And then at some point, you realize that you're doing things you never once imagined possible for yourself. And that's something that you can't get if you stay in a place that doesn't push you outside of your comfort zone, that you're not around people who push you and challenge you and question your perspectives. And I need that. I don't only want that. I need it. I need people to ask me hard questions, to challenge me, to ask “why” for every answer I give because that's how you grow, that's how you become more flexible, and you can really do some amazing things with your life and changing the lives of other people if you continue to grow and expand and not just stay in your little bubble. Because, quite truthfully, the more that I do, the more places I go to, the more people that I meet, I become even more restless. I have an even greater desire to go and explore and to create my own magic everywhere that I go. Because I think that is a perspective shift, and it's really all of these lines, all of these bars and expectations and standards that are just rising and continually changing the more that you travel, the more that you expand your horizons and do things that you never thought once were possible. And the more that you do, the higher those levels, those bars rise. So then you do even more. And it's like this positive reinforcement cycle where the more you do, the more you can do next time, and it's empowering, and it's something that I wish everyone could experience, but I know that they won't because there are so many people who are too scared to make that 1st step, and I... I hate that for them. But at the same time, this is going to sound terrible, but I don't feel bad for them because they have the option to do so. One of the things that I hate the most is hearing the words, “Oh, I wish I could do that.” And most of the people that I hear that from, come from the country I'm from. And I absolutely hate those words - “I wish that I could do that,” because you can, you could. You can make it happen if you wanted it enough, if you push past that fear, if you prepare. You can do anything that you set your mind to. And it really does become easier. Each step that you take on this journey. Because like I said, the more that you do, the more you need to do next time before you're uncomfortable again, because you're constantly pushing past those barriers, you're raising the bar. And it's so cool and when you take a moment to sit and think about all the things that you've done, it’s… I’m even getting very emotional about it, actually. It's amazing. And you feel proud of yourself in a way that you can look back and think, “You know, a former self didn't ever think that this would be possible, and now I’m doing it,” and you're doing it, and thinking it's easy. You're making it look easy. And once upon a time, it looked impossible. And it's just… it's freeing. And invigorating and makes you want to do even more. Because the more you do, the more you want to do, the more you do, the more you can. And I think that's if there was anything that I would share or try to teach people is that the more you do, the more you can. It's not that you ever stop learning, stop expanding, it's that each door you push through, you realize there's another one that you can open. And it's like each door gives you another key to another door, to another key to another door, and you just keep going and going and going, and it's like…. maybe you enter a room with 5 doors and you only have the key to one and that's okay. That's also okay. What I'm learning, is that it's okay if you can't do everything, if you choose not to do everything. Or perhaps your priorities just aren't there. Maybe you have the keys, but you don't want to open those doors because you're focused on getting through one door. And you open that door and maybe you turn back. Or maybe you take another door that loops you back around and that's also okay, because you never fail if you keep moving. You fail if you sit still. It's like a shark - most sharks need to keep moving to stay alive. Some can sit still, but not many. Most sharks, once they stand still, they die. They failed. Keep moving and you won't fail. You'll learn lessons. You'll get stronger, you'll gain more knowledge and experience and you'll have stories to look back on and remember and learn from. But you don't fail then. Because you keep trying. So... Going back to my 1st question, I guess. Why do I not want to go back to the place that used to be called home? Because if I shared this message to those people, in those places, they wouldn't understand what I'm saying right now, and I want to feel myself surrounded by people who understand that. Those who get it, who agree, feel the same way. I want to surround myself with people who also want to keep traveling and not ask, “Why do you keep traveling?” My kind of people are the people who know why. They don't have to ask. They know why. And they ask, “Where to next?” The friends that I surround myself with these days say, “Where are you going to be next month? Do you want to meet me in X?” If I was in the place that used to be called home, I would be told that their only holiday that year would be to the beach. The same beach that everyone else from the same city goes to, and it's almost as if the entire city's populace travels down to the beach together and then travels back. And it’s those exact people that I'm trying to escape. Because they don't get it. And I need people who get it. And I'm finding those people in so many different corners of the world. It's crazy, and they're from so many cool places, and have been to so many cool places, and we share stories, and it's invigorating. It's exciting. It's... something that I wouldn't be able to get if I stayed in the place that used to be called home. That's why I don't want to go back. And that's why I don't really call it “home.” Yesterday, I was doing a walking tour and we were asked to introduce ourselves and tell everyone where we were from. And so I said, “Hello, my name is Trinity. I'm from the US, but that hasn't been home for the last 3 years. This year I'm looking for my new home.” And there were a couple of people, several people actually, in the group from my home country that looked shocked and surprised because they're here just on holiday, just for a week, then going back. And the other thing too that I hate is hearing, “Oh, well, I have to get back to the real world.” Well, this is the real world. I'm living in the real world. I'm not paying rent, but I'm paying for accommodation. I'm not paying utilities, but I'm paying for my food and city taxes and I mean, this is the real world I'm living. Like, I don't have such a close-minded statement. I hate it. Because there's more to life than just working in a cubicle. And working a 9-5 office job is not the only answer. So, just because I'm doing something different that you don't understand doesn't mean it's not the real world. It means that my world is different than yours. But the 2 things that I hear the most often, the frustrate me are that, “I have to go back to the real world,” and “I wish I could do that.” Because you can. And this is the real world. So, I don't know. I think it's kind of crazy that so many people are so scared to make the first move. I mean, think of it like dating life. Buying a ticket? First kiss. Getting on the plane? Second base. Falling in love with a new city and canceling a return flight? Home run, baby. And the more places you see, the more dates you go on, the deeper you fall in love. And then eventually you sell all of your all of your belongings, and you live out of a backpack, and you're married. But it is possible. You can. And it is the real world. Don't try to minimize what I'm doing just because it's not what you're used to or because you're scared of it. That's not fair. I am writing this in the gardens of a fortress in this country that I wasn't expecting to go to this year. That could be your life, too. You could experience this peace and freedom, and... magic. I'm literally tearing up again, because I feel so strongly about this. I feel like it's a shame that more people don't understand this. Because it also gives you a glimpse into what the world could be like if we were all united, because the people you meet while traveling are so similar to you. And you come from different cultures and you speak different languages and you still can become friends and build deep connections and change your travel plans for them because our differences are what makes the world interesting. And if we learn about each other's differences in a respectful way, life can be so unique and exciting. I don't know. Just something I've been thinking about lately. I've had several conversations with people recently about people back home, wherever home is for us, not understanding what we're doing, and it's sad. But I think there are some commonalities between those people, and it all comes down to mindset. Perspective, fear. A lot of fear. Not to say that I didn't have that fear. I just chose to not listen to it. And I think that's the difference between travelers and holidayers. It's like you're trying to speed date life. And I'm in it for the long haul. I'm planning our 50-year marriage. What do you call that? Renewal, like when you renew your vows? Yeah. I don't know. I'm getting all sentimental about it, though. But anyway, food for thought. Um… Have a great day.

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