Contracting Traveller’s Bug.
Born in the Philippines and raised in the United States all my life, I knew with unwavering certainty that there was something indescribable for me out there.
For 15 years, I have never stepped foot outside the United States.
Now, in the last 3 months, I’ve been to 3 different countries — India, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Reflecting back, the condition that often held me back from making the first jump was how ridiculous it seemed to most of my family and peers that I would be putting my priorities (education, job, etc.) aside for some “leisurely vacation time”. For me, this wasn’t purely rest and relaxation for all the stress being placed on my shoulder’s back home. This was a time to discover and fulfill more about myself than I would have ever gotten being in the Bay Area for another year.
The people that I’ve met from around the world during my travels have humbled me extraordinarily. Here I am, slightly fresh off 22, and I was having some crisis’ about not knowing what I’m doing wrong, why I’m unhappy, and what’s preventing me from actualizing my dreams right now. I thought to myself, “I’m wasting time”, “I’m falling behind”, “Why am I so indecisive?”. Being surrounded by an environment of people succeeding in their own places in life often does get to you.
Travelling has opened my eyes to the freedom of judgement. Everyone is on the same plane (at least some way or another). During the commencement days of my trip, I felt a naive inferiority with the people I was travelling with. This was my first time genuinely out of my comfort zone and in some form or another, my companions have all been to countless different countries I could only imagine going to in the near future. Despite this mentality, I learned one truth that’s probably not only applicable to this scenario — no one gives a fuck.
We’re all discovering something new — cultures, environments, and lifestyles. Of course, the food of different countries is definitely an added bonus for me personally.
Until this phase in my life, I have never considered the plausible possibility of self-improvement via remote work. That is what struck me the most. Aside from the common skepticism around it, it is realistically possible to pursue education and experience while on the opposite side of your home country with success. This is prevalent now more than ever. Nonetheless, I feel not enough people will understand this learned truth until they abandon traditional thinking and take the important first step.
Granted, now that my period of travelling is regrettably coming to an end, I’m more than driven to finish some work back home, find opportunities for remote work and continue travelling again within the next years.
This is truly just the beginning.
P.S. I’d like to thank one of my greatest friends Chris for always inspiring and coming along with me on my inaugural journey.
