Long Distance Dreamers

Part One: A twenty-something, late bloomer's reflections on maturity milestones + life stages

"we must have adventures in order to know where we truly belong."

 

Travelling is one of those things society says you’re expected to do when young or in your twenties, ideally, before you settle down. I’ve always found it strange how we’re expected to do all or most of our travelling during our poorest years, while trying to balance work and study, renting or living at home. Keep in mind that I’m talking about big trips here, which may involve solo travel or an element of risk/emotional investment. Short, low budget trips or those paid by others are deliciously easy. I can understand why you would want to save up for a big trip as soon as possible — life is too short not to experience more of what the world has to offer, but the rush and pressure to “do/have it all” in our twenties is frankly ridiculous. 

According to astrology, our cosmic itineraries can occur either through the third house of self-expression, short trips and local communities, or the ninth house of higher education, philosophical expansion and long distance travel. Since I have Saturn and Neptune in the ninth house, and Mercury in the third house, travel for me needs to be healing, meaningful and a source of creative inspiration. It doesn't have to expensive or elaborate, I believe the simple act of trying new things in your own city can be culturally rewarding. I would prefer to travel with a purpose, or once I've found my 'purpose' — ideally as an extended period of soul searching, to blog about my discoveries, or photograph beautiful landscapes. I currently travel to the US approximately every two years to visit relatives, which falls under the purposeful umbrella. I want to travel properly when I find compatible companions and feel financially stable, when I have an amazing life for me waiting back home, so I know I'm not needing to escape from my problems. 

I possess a competing desire to establish roots while I'm young — a sanctuary to call home, yet gradually uprooting my attachment to any particular time and place. Only my intuition can know when the right time will be. I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to travel in my early 20s with the right people, but if I have to go alone, it will possibly be in my late 20s, 30s or even 40s..? That’s the beauty of not having goals that revolve around marriage and kids, I don’t feel the need to cram all my fun and options into a single decade. My dreams will change for the better. I will aspire to visit places which need me just as much as I need them. I will be more than just a tourist, mapping new internal universes. I will be expanding my comprehension of home. 

To be updated later.. intentional reflections on:

• Finding purpose and giving back
• Dating, relationships and 'settling down'