It was December 2014 and I had just ended a very long, very unhealthy relationship and found myself needing space.
My hometown is the tiny kind, located in Indiana. The type of place where everyone knows your business and the small smoke-filled bars are the place to be on a Friday night. I was never particularly proud of where I was from, but I never even considered the fact that I could go somewhere else. My life at that point was tragically routine and boring. The most drama I had stemmed from my own relationship when I discovered that he'd been cheating on me for quite some time.
I'm not ashamed to admit that it was one of those co-dependent relationships- the kind where you both encourage each others bad habits and try to avoid planning for the future. Anyway, my self-confidence had pretty much disappeared after so many years of being scared to advance my life. One day I had an epiphany. It's like they say about addicts, you can't help them until they want to help themselves. Those close to me had for years tried to tell me that I could do better, but it wasn't until I realized it for myself that I felt like the blinders had been taken off and I could finally see where my life was headed. All of a sudden I had this undeniable urge to make the change right now, no procrastinating this time. So I did it. I ended it. I felt completely liberated, excited even.
This euphoric high led me to think about every aspect of my life. When I was young I always fantasized about being a photographer for National Geographic Magazine. I'm not sure when that dream faded but I quickly realized that I wanted to travel. Anywhere and everywhere.
So for the first time I started looking at international flights. I had no idea what to expect or where I wanted to go. I found a really cheap flight to Portugal and I realized that God was giving me a sign.
In college I chose to take a couple years of Portuguese, since it was similar to the Spanish I already learned in high school and it seemed exotic to me. I never thought I'd ever actually have to use it, yet here I am, choosing to go to Portugal because I couldn't think of an excuse not to.
My family was happy that I was finally free, yet they didn't quite know how to react to this whole international traveling thing. I didn't care. I was this new person who no longer cared what others thought. I was going to live my life my way. And I was going to Portugal... for 3 months.
We have such similar stories and travel.. I'll be in touch!
Looking forward to it!
Blog about your travels. Include pictures of yourself for obvious reasons. You will do very well here.
solid advice @steemed I'll take it.
Hey Heidi,
Fantastic read, great to hear you found the liberation you needed. I've always thought it's pretty bizarre how actively we refuse to break free of the rat race. I've always believed I somehow lacked the courage to do more of what I wanted, and less of what society wanted! Where are you now, and what's next on your travel itinerary? Cool to have you on steemit, wishing you success!
That fear of the unknown can be a b*tch. But by diving head first, it gives you such a boost of confidence and excitement and it can change your whole perspective if you're open to it. Whenever I return from a trip I feel like I can conquer anything and I feel like I was able to learn a tiny bit more about this amazing world that we all live in. But the best part is getting to know the locals and every time without fail I'm able to find some sort of common ground. Although we live thousands of miles apart with whole oceans separating our cultures, life is always the same, we try our best with what we've got, love and appreciate family, and laugh as much as possible. I recently returned from my latest trip to Tahiti, I stayed there for 5 weeks with this super humble yet close-knit family who made me feel like I was a part of their family. Beautiful views, amazingly clear ocean and the MOST friendly people I've ever met. I'm in Florida right now, I'm planning on heading to Portugal in October unless I can manage to increase my funds before then. I'd like to head out to Indonesia before Portugal but that's just a dream at this point ;) Thank you for the well-wishes I appreciate it! Go out and have an adventure of your own, don't doubt your courage, it's there ;)
Bravo! Looking forward to more of your thoughts, wherever you are. How is the weather in Florida?
It is so hot here. But it's sunny and I'm right by the ocean so it's perfect :)
"I was this new person who no longer cared what others thought." This is a hell of a challenge, I've tried to conquer this for years now, and at some level on another, I still care about what people think of me...
So you speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese? :) If you ever want to visit Brazil and need a few tips, do let me know, I lived in Rio for a few years so if you need any tips, this is what the steemit community is for :)
Talvez você ainda pode se tornar uma fotógrafa para National Geographic... Seu sonho não tem necessariamente porque desaparecer :)
I was always a bashful kid and super shy with new acquaintances, and growing up I was awkward and constantly embarrassed. I can totally understand how it's hard to overcome this. But one way to put it in perspective is this: You care what they think because you assume they will judge you harshly and will probably have a negative impression of you for a very long time. But you know what? That's on them. That's their own energy and stress that they are exerting for playing the judge. You can completely remove yourself from that worry by remembering that you are living your own life. Not to mention the fact that it's good to have some faith in humanity too. When you find yourself assuming negative things, it's important to stop your own train of thought and try to get a new perspective. Remember, you can just as easily make a great impression, give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they'll love you. It's a new way of thinking but it'll help your own confidence and soon enough you'll be exuding positivity.
About Brazil! I haven't been to South America yet but I will make it there in the next year or two. I'd love to swap travel tips and learn some new ideas for traveling :)
Such great wisdom here :)
I agree @Jupiter00000 I had to read this two or three times!
Thanks Heidi for such a great advice! And yeah, I would like to swap travel advice too, keep posting about your adventures :)
I feel inspired. :)
Sometimes difficult situations push us to get out of our comfort zone and try something new! The world is an incredibly amazing place and you are off to a good start! Enjoy your travels! :)
Hey Heidi, who do you use to host your pictures?
Host my pictures? I use dropbox to store them, and I ask friendly strangers to take them ;)
The ones in this article are hosted by the facebook.
Yeah, I tried using the markdown code using the image address from dropbox but it wouldn't work.
Hi Heidi
Just found your blog, which is very inspiring then i noticed that the first country you traveled was Portugal my homeland. I am just curious where did you took the first photo? Its definitely is Portugal just by looking to the church and it seems you are near the ocean so i guess its in the west coast probably north of Lisbon? :)
I love Portugal! I can't wait to return in October :) The first photo was taken in Nazaré, the home of the huge waves.
You got to be kidding me i didn´t recognized it was Nazaré! (angle perhaps?) I feel really bad because i should known that it was Nazaré because i almost live there lol (about 10km from Nazaré :P ) How the world is small place sometimes. Nazaré attracts a lot of turism during the summer specially in July and August. Yeah you are right since McNamara came here that Nazaré starting being famous for its waves. What is bringing you back to Portugal? :)
Hi #namadsoul :) Somos campeões pá! :D eheheh
Nice to see another fellow Portuguese :)
LOL ora viva!
Finalmente ao fim de tanto tempo lá conseguimos :)
Abraço
Following and enjoying ;)
So, have you enjoyed Portugal? Hope so because I'm Portuguese ehehe (say good things or I'll give you a down vote! :P kidding!)
So far Portugal is my favorite... but I've got a lot more exploring to do ;)
skillz!
Great story! I am currently married with two kids in school - but - I am excited for when my youngest goes off to college or starts his life out of the house. I have the travel bug and desire to try living here and there for 6 months at a time in an early retirement. It is way cheaper than living here and sounds like fun. Good for you for finding yourself and thank you letting us live through your experiences.
What fool cheats on a smart and pretty Greek girl?
I should kick your ass pal.