This article is coming to you from a Starbucks in Cerritos, CA with Frank Sinatra singing “Let It Snow” over the sound system. #lovetheholidays
If you’ve been reading the blog for a while you’ll know that after finishing grad school in 2008 I took a trip around the world that took me on adventures in Japan, India, Egypt, Thailand, France, and Switzerland.
It was at that moment I fell in love with traveling.
However, since that time I somehow got my priorities all fucked up and became a work-a-holic.
I fell prey to “not good enough” syndrome and started dedicating every living hour I had to my work. I was severely neglecting my relationships, traveling, and other personal interests and passions.
I’m happy to report that since July my shit has become straight. I realize how weird that phrase sounds but lets just go with it ok?
When I was on my silent retreat I realized that there weren’t a lot of things that I missed. I didn’t miss watching Netflix. I didn’t miss weight training. I didn’t even miss coaching.
But the things I did miss I missed a tremendous amount. So much so that when I thought about them and what life would be like without them I was brought to tears. Or was that just sand from the desert in my eye?
- I missed a really good conversation with someone I care about.
- I missed watching Netflix with someone I love.
- I missed seeing a buddy of mine and giving them one of those five’s with a half man hug designed to look super cool so it hides the man love you have for one another.
- I missed cooking myself a really good meal. And I missed cooking a really good meal for myself and my girlfriend even more.
- I missed moving my body in unique ways that made it feel good.
And I missed traveling. I really missed traveling. So much so that when I got back I booked a trip to London…. And Greece…. And there’s 2 more but I’ll keep those as a surprise for now 🙂
I know what you’re thinking. “I wish I could do that but I don’t have the time, money, or blah blah blah.”
Now you might not be able to take 4 trips this year. Hell, you might not be able to take 1 but you can get started saving and creating time for one in the future.
The problem most of us run into when we think of pursuing dreams like this is that we want all of the things right NOW!
- We want to lose 20 pounds NOW!
- We want to be able to speak another language NOW!
- We want to travel to Paris, London, and Rome NOW!
Practice patience and do the best you can with the circumstances you’re in. Maybe you can only save $10 bucks a week for that trip you want to take. Well, if that’s what you can do then do it.
If you want to learn more about how to hack traveling and ways to travel more I recommend checking out this article I wrote a few years back.
Anyhow, enough of my rambling. On to a few of the pictures!
Live Limitless,
Justin
Question of the day: Have you been to England? If so, what did you enjoy most? If not, where is somewhere you have traveled that you loved?
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