People often ask why I would spend over a month in a place that most people visit for just a few days?
“Don’t you miss home? You’re friends and family? Your routine? Your life? Your stuff? Your BED? What about your job?”
It's a good question. With both a simple and a complex answer.
For those of you who prefer the bottom line, here it is:
I love being outside
I love the water
I do not like the cold
I am retired
I am not tied to my “stuff”; living out of a carry on for 2 months suits me just fine.
I’m easy going, so even if the circumstances aren’t perfect (are they ever?) I adapt
I love the adventure of meeting new people, learning about the culture, trying the food, and observing nature in a new place.
It hasn’t always been like this. With the exception of spending six weeks traveling through Europe when I graduated from college, for most of my adult life, I went on one-week vacations twice a year; mostly for scuba diving. Like most Americans with a corporate job, I didn’t have much choice.
In any case, that's all in the past, as I am now on permanent vacation. Some of my retired friends stay closer to home to volunteer, find new hobbies, and spend time with their grandchildren. Others have more responsibilities; care-giving for their aging parents, spouse or taking care of their pets.
Two years post-divorce and three years post-retirement, I am taking advantage of this rare moment in life where I have no responsibilities. My dad and step-mom are healthy, my kids are grown and living their own lives, I have no pets at the moment, and I’m not in a relationship.
Upon reflection, I realize that it’s the first time I am putting myself first. It’s always been about pleasing others. My parents, teachers, friends, co-workers, boss, and my spouse. I had low self-esteem, seeked external validation to give me a sense of identity, and had a hard time making decisions on my own.
So I am only now in the process of learning who I am. How do I want to spend my time? Who do I want to spend it with? It’s like I am undertaking some grand adventure: “Learning about Lori”
Every day I wake up and have only myself to answer to. Traveling to a new place, alone, forces me to face my insecurities, make decisions, and build a stronger identity. Partly, it feels like I am practicing for if or when I enter into another romantic relationship, so that I can be my own person and not run away in fear of losing myself.
So in addition to enjoying the beautiful beaches, wildlife, food, and local people and culture, I’m enjoying my own company. On that note, I'll post some selfies which I don't often do. See you in the water!
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