Its a question that I’ve heard a lot since I’ve started telling people about my acceptance into Remote Year, and it’s only amplified as I’ve gotten closer to my departure date (which, as of the time of this writing, is tomorrow morning).
Its a complicated question. On one hand, how could I not be excited? I’m about to embark on a year long adventure with 50 soon-to-be-not strangers visiting a new country every month (4 continents, 10 countries). I’ll be experiencing new cultures, experiences, and foods all around the world.
On the other hand, I’m terrified. I’m sad about not seeing my wonderful tribe of friends and family for months on end. I’m quite frankly, freaking out at getting everything packed, in place, and ready to go. I know I’m going to be missing weddings, birthdays, work achievements, and casual movie nights in. Its going to be hard to see my friends move on with their lives while I temporarily take a different direction with mine. I’m sure I’ll grow closer to some in new ways, and grow apart from others as our physical locations will no longer be shared.
This adventure will test every portion of who I am as a human, all of the connections I’ve made and the network I’ve built over the last few years of my professional and personal life.
So I take this giant leap forward while recognizing and honoring all of the wonderful people who have supported me through everything, and to whom I’ll be reaching out to /often/ in my travels, and I hope they all know they can reach out to me as well.
-M
