We travel not to escape life. But for life not to escape us.
As I am approaching my last week in Ireland, I thought to share a few things, impressions and feelings that have come to cross my path on this wonderful journey.
I have always been a person that sought adventures and inspirations in places I hadn’t been to before. Walking new roads, discovering new seas and losing myself in new horizons. I’ve travelled near as well as far, and I am grateful for every single step I was able to take through these experiences. But more than anything else, I have come to see that travelling has an immense power of healing and transforming us into a new version of ourselves. We often go through subconscious changes, and sometimes we only realise them at a later stage in our lives. But travelling definitely triggers a part of us to become greater – we evolve, grow and see our environment with different eyes upon return.
Sometimes we travel for pleasure, and sometimes we travel for purpose. This purpose can be based on something that has happened to us, a difficult time that we have been going through or simply for self-discovery. We often don’t know what we are looking for on our journey, but I consider this the most beautiful thing about taking on a travel. We change in ways that we would have never thought of before and become someone richer in self-awareness and appreciation.
Sometimes the only way to understand the past is to get away from it. Distance is said to have the magical potential to cure deep wounds. The more time you spent on the go, the lighter you will feel. The more steps your feet take on your way, the more you will see the negativities disappearing until nothing is left of them.
I too have healed during my stay on this beautiful island. I have come to peace with things that had been occupying my mind for quite some time now. I have settled scattered pieces and found a place that has brought me inner serenity.
The most important thing to remember is to open your mind and heart to anything that appears as an opportunity in front of you. Breathe in the fresh air, walk in the rain, dance the nights away and always be yourself. This is your chance to be no one but the person you want to be and wish to become.
Remember that people do not need to understand the reasons behind your decision to travel. Explaining your intentions to someone else can often be more difficult than understanding them yourself. Get up and leave, seek your adventure and learn to enjoy the sweet things in life.
Don’t be afraid to commence this journey by yourself, as well as walking a good piece of it alone. Yet, good company never hurts! Go out there and seek new friendships, create lasting memories that have the power to overshadow your worries and always keep them close to heart once you return.
I believe that to travel is to live. If you are afraid of life escaping you, then go and chase it!
Safe travels,
Joana
Joana Serein 