I am almost half way through my final semester of teaching at SBCC and launching myself into the world on what promises to be a grand adventure. I’ve saved up enough funds to fuel a few years of budget travel and am going to do my best not to over-plan this opportunity, but to allow the path to slowly unfold. At times this is terrifying as I have always been a very goal oriented and focused person, and have worked very hard to create the illusion of security for myself, but most of the time setting out on this journey is incredibly exciting. I have previously enjoyed life on the road in my trusty little Honda Fit and/or living on my mountain bike for months at a time, but I always had the security of a job waiting for me after a summer full of adventure. After a few months will I feel directionless and adrift? Or will the next adventure, the next country, call more strongly? There is only one way to find out, so I am taking the plunge. All my life I have struggled with transitions, but after ten years of living in the same house with the same job I feel ready for change.
My goals in blogging are manifold. Probably the most important is that putting my written thoughts out in the world scares the shit out of me, and one of my life rules is “do what scares you”, so here I am, writing (please be kind as I find my voice!). I do not have confidence in my writing ability due to lack of practice for the last ten years, scars from a college professor telling me my writing is “heavy”, and the ruthless editing pen of my dissertation advisor who regularly brought me to tears through the writing process. The second reason for creating this is to force myself to explore a more creative side of myself and hopefully once I am on the road in June I will write weekly, but for now I am just trying to get this out in the world so I can’t talk myself out of it. Finally, this will be a bit of a travel journal, but my dream is to make it so much more. I love to tell stories and to inspire other women to be brave enough to go out in the world solo and do the things they love to do! I hope to tackle topics that I find of emotional and intellectual interest, not just document locations.
Welcome to my little corner of this big beautiful world!
Yay Maude! This, and you, are awesome. Thank you for being you!
Aw, thanks for being my first comment! And now I know it works, bonus!
Hooray! I’m looking forward to it, and yes, you are inspiring me!
Whoot! And you inspire me!
Loving this and you. Seeking inspiration!
And you are providing inspiration!
I am so excited for your new adventure and can’t wait to tag along via your blog! You are brave, brilliant and competent; have faith in those qualities! I am a firm believer in women encouraging other women in their strengths and supporting them in their weaknesses. So “cheers” to you finding your voice on your great next adventure!
Thank you for the support, Wendy! Most of my adventures are solo or with women, as I too, am a great lover of the sisterhood.
Maude – you couldn’t have picked a better spirit guide!
So glad you are doing this: the scary leap from job security, the adventures, the not over planning, the writing, everything… As always, you are an inspiration.
Thank you for your kind comment, Geoff! I think we have a lot of similar personality traits and world-views, and as a result you often inspire me too, especially with your dedication to your community and social justice.