I’ve traveled more this year than I have my entire life and it’s not even year end yet. I’ve surfed more in the last year and a half than I have my entire nearly 40 years of life. I’ve spent less time at my ‘house’ than I have anywhere I’ve called home before.
What have I learned and how do I feel about this? And why am I sharing it with you?
When I was nearly out of college, my father offered me the opportunity to travel - head to Europe, explore, see what caught my interest. I turned it down. Intimidated. Not knowing how I’d be able to do afford it, or where I’d even start, or how I’d manage to ‘stay in track’ (I was extremely routine like needed a gym to workout in, and was meticulous about my eating). Even though he said he would give me money to make it happen I just couldn’t see it and if I couldn’t see it, well how was I supposed to make it happen. 🤷🏼♀️
A few years later, not knowing how I’d make it happen, I up and moved out west to Southern California (where I’d grown up family vacationing and had a number of family friends and relatives, still do to this day) within a 2 week period (was out there for a conference, scoped out returned
My boyfriend, whom I was doing a long distance relationship with at the time (NorCal - SoCal) suggested we do a road trip up the coast around the holidays before heading back to our Chicagoland hometown. Things were up and down between us - one minute he wanted me around, the next I was a stranger - which left me uneasy and even though I’d always wanted to travel with someone something I’d learned was ‘who’ that is makes a huge difference. With the right person it would be great, but i wasn’t sure it felt right with him.
Things began to shift about 8 years ago when I split from that boyfriend. I had an urge to actually travel, and I did. I finally booked a trip to Costa Rica 7 years ago. Then a few months later, I drove up to North Carolina for a few days for a course. Then later that year, I did a road trip out west with my 6-mos old puppy to Vegas, then up the California coast, Boise, then Chicago before returning to the Lowcountry over the course of about 3.5 weeks. It was a load of fun. Honestly, I wish I’d have taken even longer and not rushed back. My father was supportive and encouraging. My then ‘boss’ questioned me prior to leaving town - pretty much insinuating I was going to be losing out on growing my business, having to ‘start over’, etc. which got in my head.
Nonetheless, I desired and planned to do more traveling more after that trip and start my destination retreats.
I dated two other people between then and now. We did some road trips together, which really did show me WHO you’re with really does matter. Different lifestyles, different interests, inability to mutually agree, and possibly the greatest deterrent was how alcohol got in the way of the positive experience. And then Covid happened. Along with a handful of other life altering circumstances that kept me in one place.
Until I started SUP racing. It was then that I started to get out of town again. At first just a few hour drives at a time. Then, a retreat to Costa Rica (April 2023) which was the recognition of my vision I’d held within for quite a while.
Honestly, what’s actually kept me from getting out of town has been the financial obligations, going it alone, yet also going with or being in the wrong company, and the fear of losing or not having control without the routines I was familiar with.
And that retreat to Costa Rica was absolutely a true test of discomfort around ALL of these self-limiting situations. It took me half the time there to just relax and enjoy myself. Then by the time we were ready to leave I was just getting started.
I committed to returning to CR before year end, and I DID that October during which I spent three weeks exploring a few towns solo while meeting up with friends and connecting with new people, followed by heading back again in December and staying out of the country for much of 2024.
This year alone, I’ve been to Mexico, numerous towns in Costa Rica (only scratched the surface), El Salvador, Florida, North Carolina, Chicago, NorCal and SoCal, and there’s still 2 more months left before 2025.
Taking the risks I have to up and go to new places has been completely intimidating AND thrilling all at once. It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone, it’s brought up lots of anxiety and nerves, and it’s also opened my eyes and brought me new experiences, connections, opportunities and opened up my eyes and mind.
Traveling for me, some of the Lessons I’ve learned and want to share with others:
Anywhere, no excuses approach
Meeting new people
Reconnecting with friends and family
Different lifestyle
Living simply, minimalistic
Opportunities abound
Home is not one place
Settling down does not mean you have to be in one place
Who knows, maybe I’m just not ready to call where my current house is ‘home’ yet because it’s not where I ultimately want to be - location, company, etc - and traveling, seeing other places is showing me possibilities I’ve never considered or allowed myself to see prior to now. Maybe, I’m not meant to be in one single place. Maybe the company is what I’m looking for - you know the common interests, the right partner, the community. Probably the combination of it all.
What I am sure of, is the more I head out and away from where I currently am the less I want to be or stay here (in the Lowcountry), and the more I want to be somewhere else with others who want and do share similar lifestyles and visions.
Read here too: https://open.substack.com/pub/rachelsfusion/p/travel-a-place-to-call-home-and-the?r=9j0p0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Retreat with me, @fusion_retreats
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