Pick a direction, not a destination
In a time when all I find myself doing is daydreaming about international travel destinations “once COVID-19 is over,” I must reign myself back in for a few reasons. First, to acknowledge what is it about these places that I am interested in and seeking. Secondly, because there is no such thing as “when COVID-19 is over.” There are so many ways this can so sideways, rather than transitioning to be a thing in the past. If you are naively from the school of thought that things will “return to normal,” I certainly am not going to be the bearer of bad news. You keep on thinking that way! I hope it pans out for you. In the meantime, I am still salivating thinking about stamps in my passport. Honestly, it is not about only getting the stamp in the passport, but rather the adventures I embark on within that country. It is about the direction I take, rather than the destination itself.
There is a lot of transference and/or translation in this cheesy tag line. We are witnessing this unfold in front of us as we speak. Who is experiencing it the most? Our high school Seniors, College Students, and young adults. They are plowing through a developmental period in their life that we (Thanks, America!) have said needs to be a specific way. If they step off that track, they may be led to believe they may not have a successful future. It is societal peer pressure at it is finest. I will just come out and say it: it is not true. If you take a break, the world will not end. If anything, it may be just beginning.
The fear that exists has driven an entire generation of young people to the predicament they are in now. This place of utter disappointment and despair. What if college is virtual in the fall? That is not how I pictured my first-semester freshmen year to be. This is not fair! Damn straight it is not fair. It is not fair that you were told that that is the only way that life looked post-high school. Just like I find myself saying “it’s not fair” that I cannot go traveling this summer. I know I won’t be going, and I understand the reason why it’s not safe. But I can still whine about it, just for a minute.
So instead of being set on a specific destination, in life or for your next vacation, consider the direction you are heading in instead. Were you planning for college and now need to explore a gap year option? Were you headed to Nicaragua but really you need to be looking towards the Middle East instead? It’s not always about where you’re going, but the journey it takes to get there. So, pick your direction and just start going forward.
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
