22 Days in Europe

So today's the day. I'm currently sat in the airport, doing the usual holiday-maker thing of spending money in duty free, stocking up on snacks and buying enough magazines for the whole plane to read. But this isn't going to be like the usual holiday. Instead I'm going on this trip with the hope that it will change and develop me in a positive way, provide me with a new outlook and give me some stories and adventures to learn from and look back on.

My next 3 weeks consists of:

Amsterdam

Berlin

Prague

Budapest

Vienna

Slovenia

Croatia

I think I'm also going to take this time to break from social media and the internet. Give myself a re-fresh and re-charge from the norm. I think that could be good for everyone to do once in a while. The only exception is that I may post a few snaps on Instagram from each country, but only as a source of logging pictures ready for the blog posts! Plus it also ensures I have a bank of pictures if my phone/camera were to get lost. But aside from that, I will be 'social media free' for the next few weeks; an added challenge/change.

...I think its time to start my book..

Love, B 

Out of the Comfort Zone

I honestly don’t know where the past few months have gone. It's all been such a whirlwind. It’s kind of scary, but exciting at the same time because, as cliche as it sounds, I’ve had the real feeling that ‘the world is my oyster’ since completing my degree last month. This is very poignant as I am soon to begin my travels around Europe.

This trip has been in the pipeline for a long time, having been mentioned and debated here and there for over a year. Then it was decided around September last year to start considering it more seriously. This summer seemed like no better time, what with finishing Uni and all, this trip is the perfect chance to celebrate, relax and do something different before embarking upon the 'real world' of work. I'm sure this trip will give me the travel bug, as travelling seems to do that to everyone. So hopefully in the not too distant future I will have other opportunities to see other parts of the world too. But starting with a 3 week journey around Europe seems perfect for now. I also thought, why go so far when there are all these countries right on my doorstep that I've never been to!?

Me being me, I need organisation and I need to plan. So although a degree of spontaneity has been left for when we arrive in each country, the flights, tickets and accommodation have all been booked in advance. Although there must be something intriguing about just arriving in a foreign country without a clue of where to stay and what to do, I decided I would rather know the ‘where to stay’ bit, and just leave the ‘what to do’ for on arrival at each place. I hope that after this trip I will be brave enough to just rock up to a new place, but baby steps!

This past week has been about last minute purchases and piling everything up ready to pack. Not having things laid out neatly in the suitcase, ready to be hung up and displayed nicely in a wardrobe was a distressing thought to begin with... But I’m getting used to the idea of living out a rucksack for 3 weeks. I think it’s only natural to feel a little anxious about this sort of trip, but the nerves are turning into excitement now, especially when the tickets finally arrived the other day!

22 days. 7 countries. 1 large backpack. ‘Challenging’ is an understatement. Although I’m not jet-setting around the world for 6 months, cramming 7 countries into 3 weeks is still testing as it's not like anything I've done before. It’s safe to say this trip is pushing me outside my comfort zone – but that’s exactly why I want to do it, and I can’t wait to see what it holds. I’ve been very lucky in the holidays I’ve had, and as amazing as they've all been, I feel it's time for a change; time to do something that will inspire and develop me a bit more than the usual trip abroad.

Check back on Tuesday where I'll be posting a bit more before leaving for the trip!

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Mixing Stress and Fun

Are you having the time of your life? Pun: wholly intentional! But seriously, are you? It's a question we all hope we would instinctively say 'Yes' to. 'Yes, I am having the time of my life.' But whether we actually are is something else entirely, and it's a challenge to feel like you are all of the time.

Sometimes I think I'm not fulfilling my time with enough in order to answer Yes. I can blame the fact I am really busy with completing my degree, and the same goes for other people whose time is filled with different mundane tasks that have to be done. But I'm starting to learn that you have to live in the now, and actually make the best of any situation you are in, even if you are in a gloomy tunnel struggling to see the light at the end. If you can fulfil yourself with positivity and good memories, even in the most stressful and boring of times, then imagine how much you can be fulfilled when those less-inspiring tasks are completed and the daunting bridges are crossed. 

My recent trip to the theatre inspired this post, as it made me realise how much of a good time you can have alongside the stresses going on elsewhere, and we actually need rewards for our hard work, otherwise how do you motivate yourself to get over the next hurdle? Amongst the deadlines and pressures, there was light! And oh boy, what a show it was. My favourite film came to life right in front of my eyes and it took my mind away from everything else, and Yes, I can say I was having the time of my life! This outing was a special treat, but I aim to fulfil my time with even more moments like this from now on, because I want to be able to say 'Yes' to that question a lot more often, don't you? 

Stop waiting, and start having your time now.

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Escape the Routine

We all tend to get caught up in the mundane routine of everyday life. Yes, we have our responsibilities and our priorities, but sometimes it’s worth putting that aside and making a new priority for a moment, in order to break away from the norm and feel a little more free.

I’m not talking go to the airport with your bags packed, passport in hand, pick a destination and get on the plane (however, one day I will do this!). I mean the really simple things. Like go to a village you’ve not been to before and have lunch in the local pub. Or go for a long walk in the countryside, just getting lost and exploring.

These things may not appeal to everyone, but that's all the more reason to do it. Do something different with your time.

Escaping from the norm and taking your mind away from everything, even for just a few hours, can do the world of good. Take some time out, put everything else to the back of your mind, and do something for you. 

P.S. Let me know if you do get on that plane!

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