It seems the more places I visit and the more people I meet, the more I have to miss. I believe that missing something in itself is a blessing, as it means you’ve had things, experiences or people in your life that were so valuable and precious that you ache in their absence.
There’s also the type of missing that’s more akin to missing out – missing out on birthdays, weddings, milestones, and even missing out on the ability to see someone you want to the following day. That feeling can be, at times, almost paralysing. It’s part of the reason I removed almost everyone on my facebook from my newsfeed – I was spending too much of my life away from home trying to keep up. I’m determined not to do that on this trip, especially as I’m planning to spend the New Zealand summer, this year, at home.
I’m not sure how much I want this website to cross over into my personal life, as I do believe aspects of it are… personal. But transparency is interesting, and I’m sure romance on the road is something that other people might be curious about, especially those contemplating long term travel. Prior to this visit home, I listed one of the downsides of perpetual travel as basically giving up on any hope of being in a relationship within the next few years. But then I met someone who’s, in summary, the epitome of badass and I’m a bit more open to things, in the future – read: I want to rearrange the universe so this can be something, someday soon. My plans were interrupted, partially due to be taken back by the feelings that developed. But I have managed to push my planets back into alignment and tomorrow I’m boarding a flight to Sydney.
It’s much easier to use heartache or a bad job as a motivating catalyst to up and leave when you’re not happy somewhere. I first left New Zealand in a bid to explore more of the world and mend a broken heart. Nobody mentions how hard it is to leave when you’re happy, when you’re fully content with life. I guess it’s easier if you can take what you adore with you.
How do you push yourself over the “to go traveling” edge, when all you really desire is right at home?
Well, I write lists. Lists of all the things I want to do over the European summer that I couldn’t do in New Zealand.
Starting with hugging one of my best friends, Rob, at Sydney airport tomorrow
Walking around National park with aforementioned friend
Trying to survive on AUD$150 for five days in Sydney
Wandering around Hong Kong for two days next week (suggestions welcomed)
Catchups with lovely English friends in London next weekend
Nine days to make my way from London to Madrid via awesome places (suggestions welcomed, again)
Learning Spanish to a conversational level
Eating All The Tapas
Finding my groove in Madrid
Making authentic Spanish friends
Finding a nudist beach in Spain and getting my first tanline-less tan
Attending Tomatina festival
Watching a Madrid v Barcelona football match
Exploring Croatia, Slovenia and Italy (finally)
Although I feel a bit weird about leaving right now, I think it’s going to pan out to be one of the most amazing summers of my life. I’m also really looking forward to coming back to New Zealand for the summer, too. Two summers in a row – absolutely spoiled.
I’m going to try my hardest not to worry about missing and missing out. Because if my attention is too focused on what I don’t have, I’ll end up letting all that I do have slip by.
sounds like you had an interesting trip home Izy, as far as romance with a shelf life goes ive recently been thrown into a similar situation, I met a girl who 100% knocked the wind out of me, unbelievable, but she was a traveller and had some unfinished buisness abroad. The thing to remember is that no matter where you are in the world the people you care about travel with you, and for me at least, I have a strange confidence that things are going to work out with my travelling babe, I have a feeling that they will for you too :)Have an amazing trip
I had a wonderful time home, with someone very special. I guess there’s a slight difference in being the person who leaves, rather than the person who is left behind. The leaver has to battle with the fact, in this circumstance at least, it’s not a necessity to leave – it’s purely a choice, predetermined when the person she’s interested in wasn’t a factor. I could pull all the circumstances and factors to pieces, and honestly, I don’t think it’d make it any easier. I enjoy your optimism, though, Lonelyboy, and wish you all the best with your traveling babe. I believe the universe gives you whatever you really
needdesire xxLove your posts Izy.
On the road myself, I am feeling a lot of the same emotions you are.
You’re right, I think we’re very lucky to be doing all this missing; we must have a lot of good things and people in our lives!!
Keep up the posts and i’ll keep up enjoying them over a nice cuppa tea 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Kirsten, it’s so lovely to have a fellow traveling friend who can relate to how I’m feeling. I imagine you’re going through a mixed bag of emotions are you’re nearing the end of your time away. I hope when we’re both home for the summer we can share a tea and compare stories. Take care, xo
I love traveling here in New Zealand, and I know I’m missing a bunch of things only staying a month, but I’ll be happy to be home when I leave in a week. After a few months, though, the longing will set in- I imagine it’s the longing you are feeling right now.
Have a safe trip! Look forward to reading about it.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much. Home will always be home, I guess. I’m just blessed that my home is so irresistibly gorgeous.
Do you have any adventures planned after you return home, or is this it for a wee while?
[…] free wifi so I can text someone from home or upload my latest picture to twitter. I understand the fear of missing out on things back home. But I’m starting to question how much of this addiction to being, and keeping everyone I […]
Thanks especially for the first paragraph. Never thought about it that way.
Glad it could help you. Sometimes it’s best to focus on the positives 🙂 Take care!