Goals for my solo trip abroad

It’s the first day of the new year, and whilst I have no interest in the annual emphasis on ‘new year new me’, I can appreciate the refreshing novelty of a new beginning. 

Several weeks ago, I was discussing upcoming travel plans with a friend. She was deciding between several destinations, and we discussed a question her mum had posed to her about her plans. The question: what would it take for this trip to be a success?  

Prior to this, I’d been thinking about goals for my trip. Things I wanted to do, see, accomplish. But it was hard to pin them down in a manner that was clear and useful to me. I was unable to quite articulate them to myself, or others when asked — until this discussion. Thinking about my goals in terms of ‘success’ helped me unpick my thinking and reframe it. I discovered that I have large, generalised goals, which I intend to achieve through some specific achievements.

And so, as we launch into 2023 and I count down the final days until my flight, I thought this was an appropriate date to talk about my goals for the coming months. They include:

See some beautiful things

Australia is known for its stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife. This trip will be successful if I can immerse myself in some of these environments and see scenes and creatures that I’ve found so inspiring (in photographs, or in theory) in person. A specific destination on my list is Rottnest Island; an island thirty minutes from Perth’s coast. Rottnest has beautiful beaches, but is most famous for the friendly creatures that inhabit it. Quokkas are native to Rottnest and cannot be found anywhere else on earth. I’m excited to visit the island and soak up the atmosphere that makes its little creatures smile so.

Do something I otherwise wouldn’t

I’m not going all the way to Australia to live the same life I am right now. I’m ready to take some risks and do something that I wouldn’t if I were to stay in the UK. Whilst my daily routine will obviously change, I'm also thinking bigger. Australia is often the place lots of backpackers decide to tackle adrenaline activities, such as sky-diving and bungee jumping. I’m not sure how dedicated I am to attempting either of those (although I’ll never say never), but I am keen to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. Something that does both frighten and excite me is surfing, so perhaps I’ll challenge myself to take a couple of lessons! There’s no place better to try it, really.

Progress in my career

One’s career is often a consideration when thinking about travelling long-term. As a recent university graduate, still questioning exactly where I want my working life to lead, I’m in a great position to go and try out new things, without worrying about leaving opportunities behind. Equally, though, I’m aware that I don’t want to neglect the things I know I love doing, and lose contact with the theatre industry I’ve recently entered into. Over the next year, I aim to continue to make progress in building a career. One way of achieving this is engaging with the theatre landscape in Australia. The second largest fringe festival (after Edinburgh) is Adelaide Fringe Festival, and this year it’s on from the  17th February — 19th March 2023. Whether it’s a flying visit to see a couple of shows or volunteering for a few weeks — I plan to be there in some capacity. 

Furthermore, as a writer, I have the benefit of being able to work anywhere. Armed with my laptop and notebook and a new environment to explore, I know I’ll be inspired. Amongst other writing targets, I’m setting myself the goal of finishing a collection of short stories I started working on at university, which is appropriate as they are set in Australia. 

Meet new people

When I went to university, I understood that what I found most fulfilling about the experience of being a fresher was making meaningful connections with new people. This has continued throughout the beginning of my adult life. I’m looking forward to meeting more people that I can learn and grow and have adventures with.

Be more confident

I’m setting myself the goal of becoming more confident over the next year, as it’s something I’ve started to work on already, and pairs well with the environment of my upcoming travels: I need to be confident — in myself and my decisions — in order to travel well on my own. Equally, with the challenges that are surely ahead — and the (hopefully!) resulting triumphs — I have huge opportunities for growth and learning, both of which will help me develop more confidence. At least, that’s the plan.

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I’ve always been a planner. Going abroad with no set return date or detailed picture of what my life will look like is something very far out of my comfort zone; often I know what I’m having for dinner before I wake up in the morning. So this trip is already a huge challenge for me — which is exciting, and I’m looking forward to learning how I deal with being so far from what I’m used to. But at the same time, not having any goals at all would leave me feeling quite at sea. I’m hoping that the above help bridge the gap from what I’m used to, to what’s ahead.