Travel Epilogue by JG

 

Travelling is a funny thing - you have the feeling of freedom that you can go wherever you want whenever you want - if you like somewhere, you stay, if not, you move on. With a trip that lasts for a year, the inevitable 'end of holiday' blues are mostly irrelevant and it is impossible not to feel slightly smug that you are having so much fun. I imagine perhaps it is hard to settle when you return to regulated life from a trip of this length due to the nature of constant movement and the novelty of different surroundings. The mind seems to condition itself to adapt to constant change during a trip like this because it knows that you are in ‘travel mode.’ It is similar to the strange concept of somebody feeling ready to go home, whatever the length of their travels, be it a weekend, two week holiday or one year trip, it seems the mind cleverly adapts and prepares itself to think in a positive way. We met a couple in Laos, when we were only 2 months into our trip, who had travelled the world like us for a year, and were going home in a week - the look of devastation on my face for them must have been scary, but they were really happy about it saying they were ready to go home and 'crack on with new projects.' Mark and I still talk about them thinking they were bonkers and betting that if we said something like that to ease the pain of finishing the travels, we would blatantly be telling huge porkies.

If I am truthful, every time I have been on holiday, without fail, a few days before I am meant to go home, my mind sneakily puts aside the thoughts that I would far rather stay on the beach for another week/ski that run again, etc, and starts thinking of the 'fun dinner next Tue with Joe Blog,' how great it will be to continue to learn salsa, and wow, how I actually feel enthusiastic about getting stuck into the new project at work, etc, etc. As well as the obvious point that after a holiday you are usually well rested and should have more energy, the brain has an innate ability to provide a cushioning preparatory layer of positivity, arguably tricking you into happily returning to whatever you left behind. I am truly happy that this occurs and could compare it to how the brain eventually looks back at most experiences, even less than perfect ones with a softening, positive light – why do you think women have more than one child?

There is also the softening factor of home comforts, familiarity and routine, things which can be both cherished and dreaded at the same time, depending on who you are. Personally, I find that when returning from an amazing experience where perhaps you were moving from place to place, suddenly the mind looks forward to permanently clean sheets, a bubble bath, knowing the way to the station, seeing the familiar face at the market stall, having all of your things easily accessible in one place, etc. Of course, this is a complete contradiction to the sensation of freedom and novelty at breaking your routine when you first commence a trip. I remember hearing from a friend who went home after 6 months of travelling and a week prior to going back he said, quote “I am actually looking forward to wearing a suit again.” Now that is a little extreme in my eyes, but he was starting to prepare himself for the inevitable return to being a professional again, rather than running around in board shorts and flip flops the whole time.

I am just trying to rationalise the concept of returning to and adapting to normal life - a popular discussion amongst long term travellers. The experience you get from travelling really depends on the time of life at which you go - having travelled around Asia for 2 months in my university holidays at age 20, my objectives were obviously very different to now - still very much about the carefree fun and pushing oneself to have new experiences but now, much more about evaluating what you have done so far in life and really thinking about what sort of life you want to lead in the future. While I had a very happy and fun life in London, living in a nice flat which I owned with a best friend, having a good job which allowed me to travel the globe, socialising with my lovely circle of friends, earning enough money to do fun things, etc, taking a step away from that life has helped me to realise a) how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to have all those things but b) that I would be even more motivated if I had more freedom to be creative in the workplace. Meeting inspiring people while travelling also gives one the confidence to break away from a typical work routine, which is quite a brave thing to do in terms of financial security and also in personally overcoming what one is brainwashed into thinking one 'should' do with one's career.

It is funny as I am sure when I get back, I will meet up with people who will say how amazing it is that I have taken the jump and 'lived the dream' for a year, and am now trying to do something different, but who secretly are thinking, 'it looked like fun, but I am glad that I am not unemployed/broke/one year behind in my career ladder, etc, etc.' And there will be those who are perhaps inspired to do it themselves and will do - everyone is different and that is what makes the world an interesting place. The additional appeal of being self employed will be the eventual ability to take longer holidays and enjoy a better work life balance, something which is very underrated. I think there is also a fine balance between people who travel long term to have new experiences and people who perhaps run away from life with the excuse of travelling. I believe I have met these two types of people on this trip and have made a mental note to be the former.

Meeting someone as inspiring as Mark made the decision to set up my own business very easy. It will be a huge learning curve and I am sure we will have much fun along the way. I feel that the sense of achievement that will come will be bigger than anything ever experienced in a previous job, which is very exhilarating.

In summary, when faced with the prospect of going home and getting on that flight in Rio, my philosophical mind has magically evolved from ‘how will I cope with not wearing flip flops all the time’ into the following stream of consciousness:

• I always thought that it was not possible to beat certain times in my life - ski season in France at 18 years old, university life at Durham, travelling with friends, but this year has surpassed them all into being the best year of my life so far – I do not think I could have had more fun if I tried – a year like many to come I am sure.
• I am so excited about seeing my family for Christmas again and friends after the New Year, who I have missed so much.
• Mark and I have put a lot of research into our business plan so it will be really exciting to put it into action at full pelt when we are back. We both have so much energy, enthusiasm and desire to make it a success.
• While money is by no means a priority, it does make life easier, and it does allow you to do fun things like skiing and travelling. Therefore, this year has inspired both of us to work as hard as possible to enable this kind of thing to be possible on a regular basis.
• And most importantly, I have found someone that I love deeply and can have heaps of fun with – the memories of travelling together for a year are absolutely priceless and something I will keep forever.