Leaving It Behind

As a teen, you did this once before. You traveled and left it behind, but now, at thirty, it seems somehow different, yet the same. It's the second first time that you feel so distorted. You have changed, but the feelings haven't. But you're going to find out how to do it again. You're going to leave it all behind. The fear and anxiety will not own you this time, right?

As a teen, you're a naturally anxious person. We all are. That small fear of even making a phone call always lurks at that impressionable young age. Now, you're stuck making enough phone calls and plans to enjoy a two-week trip to a foreign country! Even though the majority is done by your professors - the hotels, planes, and restaurants are all booked - you still have to make your plans. Getting your first passport, buying the correct luggage, and the clothes to fit in with your classmates (because you are all still cliquish young teens). You're a nervous wreck. But you're only sixteen, so it's expected. You're told it's a learning curve that you'll eventually grow out of. It's normal to feel nervous, to be anxious about doing things for the first time.

The day finally comes to leave for your trip. You're anxious to fly and scared of what's coming. But as you disembark in a totally new place, the anxiety ebbs. You slowly begin to enjoy the feeling of discomfort that comes with doing new things, meeting new people, and trying new foods. By the time the trip is over, you've completely left the anxiety behind. Forgetting you were ever even worried, wondering to yourself, "where will I go next?".

Flashforward to thirty, and it isn't so cute. The anxiety of curating a three-week trip is slowly pulling you down. This time, you have to do it all yourself. The Airbnb houses are all looking for dates, and you don't quite know how to get from Point A to Point B. There are so many experiences and landmarks to include, how can you possibly choose? You're going to new places, meeting new faces, and trying new things. Those lovely feelings of anxiety that come with getting ready, packing correctly, and having it all planned down to a T. It's following you around for months on end as you try to plan time off from work, renewing your passport, and having enough time for all you want to do. Wondering to yourself how you could possibly cram all of these things into three weeks.

The day finally comes to leave for your trip. You're anxious to fly and scared of what's coming. But as you disembark in a totally new place, the anxiety ebbs. You slowly begin to enjoy the feeling of discomfort that comes with doing new things, meeting new people, and trying new foods. By the time the trip is over, you've completely left the anxiety behind. Forgetting you were ever even worried, wondering to yourself, "where will I go next?".

It's not only a phase. We all feel it sometimes. No matter the age. No matter how many times you've done it. But sometimes we can leave it all behind by simply doing the thing we are feeling most scared of. Take the trip! Make the call! Do the job! Whatever is holding you back at sixteen or even at thirty or maybe even ninety, you can leave it all behind...It will always feel like the second first time as you begin to plan another trip, pick another job, or do whatever makes you scared and anxious.