They say “Wherever you go, there you are” BUT…

Okay let’s take a sip of this phrase…

Swish it around in your mouth left to right for a moment…

Now spit it out.

Did you get a hint of complacency? A light aftertaste of.. oh I don’t know.. FEAR, COMFORT, EXCUSES, and overall NEOPHOBIA?

 

Hmm…

There are so many angles to turn the table around this phrase.

On one side, we should be mindful of where we are, who we are, and whether or not it’s us, the place, or the people around us that make us uncomfortable or just plain miserable. To an extent it starts with us. In some cases a person can travel anywhere in the world and still feel empty inside. It is possible.

Be that as it may, the chances of you being that person… well… are limited.

What if you’re just the type of person that gets bored easily and needs to live in a highly stimulating place so you won’t lose your mind? Or the opposite? You could live in a bustling city and want to try living in a smaller town with less options.

Perhaps you’re just a person that can’t stay in one place too long because you love the thrill of traveling.

And you’ll never know what it’s like… unless you try.

Now, while the phrase could be a solid mantra to some, my point is that it’s not for everyone and can be very discouraging for those who are not happy where they are and are curious to try somewhere new.

As I prepare  for my next major life transition… I realize that I have yet to live in a place where I have traveled to before and thought “Wow, I want to live here.” Although I have thought that about some places before, I’ve yet to do that. I’ve moved around quite a bit but it’s all been kind of random. Overall, looking back now, the places I’ve lived as of now have been influenced by someone else, not exactly me. I’ve moved around to places where I’ve never been before, know nothing about the place, have never thought “oh I want to visit there!” I’ve hopped on a plane and toodaloo folks!

So I’m taking it all in from a different perspective now.

I’m taking a year off from college to explore what it is that I really want to surround myself by.

And by explore I don’t mean just googling a whole bunch of things about a certain place in comfort (although I will google to some extent).

This time I plan to travel, visit, explore before just jumping ship and moving there.

You know it’s funny… I’m the type of person that gets bored easily and enjoys the mountains. And I’ve never lived in a place that is highly stimulating and near a mountain range!

Now that doesn’t make sense.

 

I direct this post to the following:

Those who don’t leave their home because they find nothing worth the effort.

Those who feel there is no culture where they reside.

Those who feel unaccepted by the society they live in.

Those who are always looking at travel tickets.

Those who dislike everyone around them.

Those who yearn diversity.

Those who don’t.

Those who seek a more fertile land.

Those who seek more open minded company or the opposite.

Those who want everything near.

Those who want everything far.

Those who seek nature.

Those who seek industry.

Those who seek better public transportation.

Those who rather drive in no traffic.

You get it.

To all near and far.  Don’t be complacent where you are. Don’t stunt your growth by fear of trying something new. Stop making excuses. Remember that everyday the old you is dead and the new you awakes. And if everywhere you go, there you are… then a new you is there too.

 

Best of luck!

 

-Your Neighborhood Motherless Child