1 year on

A year to the day that I first set off solo, with a rough plan for the next three weeks and a lot of optimism, I set off again. 

I spent eleven months travelling last year. I use the verb ‘travelling’ generally. I wasn’t moving constantly, although I spent fair amounts of time living on the road and out of vehicles. But I also spent significant periods of time, from six weeks to four months, living in different cities, working to fund my next adventures, and making the most of the places I was calling home. 

Visiting the UK and catching up with friends and family over Christmas was so needed and appreciated. Eleven months is a lot to catch up on, though. Of course, I’ve documented a lot through this blog, and I’ve stayed in contact with people throughout the year. But I found myself repeatedly stumped when asked about my time away. I could tackle answers to specific questions, when asked about experiences that stood out, or my favourite places I'd visited. But I didn’t know where to begin when asked ‘how was Australia?’ because of course there is no simple way to sum up such a challenging and beautiful year.

I figured a useful way for me to reflect on my time this past year would be to look back over the goals I set myself before I first flew out to Perth. They were: 

1. To see some beautiful things

2. To do something I otherwise wouldn’t

3. To progress in my career

4. To meet new people

5. To be more confident

Looking over them, I am delighted to say that I achieved them all in some way. For some of them it has been in a different way to how I anticipated, which has been so exciting and satisfying.

Last year, I saw so many incredibly beautiful sights. A highlight includes the paradise of Esperance and the south of Western Australia’s coast line. Soft white sand beaches with turquoise sparkling waters blew me away. The sunsets have been majestic, too, particularly in Perth, where you can watch from numerous beaches as the sky turns to fire. Mountain and lake views from New Zealand are etched in my memory. The peace and beauty of them never failing to bring out emotion. I feel so lucky to have been able to see so much in the last year.

As I toyed with when I wrote these goals, I did take a surfing lesson! I was so proud of myself when I stood on the board and caught a few waves (with the assistance of our instructor). Surfing is something I’d never done before and I had so much fun giving it a go. I also did other things that, had I not gone to Australia or New Zealand this year, I might not have done. I drove a van over mountains and kayaked on open water, I swam in freezing cold lakes and flew in a helicopter. All these things are milestones and experiences I am so privileged to treasure.

Something that many backpackers and gap-year-takers worry about is losing touch with their career. When I set off, I was keen to do something to benefit mine, although I wasn’t certain what. When I got a job at Adelaide Fringe Festival, it was just the beginning. With the experience and skills I gained there, I went on to discover more festivals and events I could work. In the last year, I have only improved my CV by embellishing it with events and festival work. I have developed skills in different areas of theatre and festivals, including box office, which I've particularly enjoyed. I’ve learned about how festivals are run and the wealth and variety of roles and skills involved. All of this since I left to travel. 

My writing goal, of finishing a collection of short stories I was writing, I did not complete. Nor did I get close to. At the end of last year I started making some progress after a long time away from them, so I’m hoping to encourage more from myself this year. Having this blog to update weekly has been essential to my frequent writing. Without it, I know I would be writing even less! I love writing and I know how beneficial it is to me so, despite the busyness of life, I must prioritise it. 

Over the past year I have met so many people. Some just for a day, others that I know are now part of my life forever. I’ve learnt the benefit of all kinds of friendships. Some are for a short term, to enjoy the present with, and these relationships are no less important because of that. All are meaningful in their individual ways. I am so grateful for all the people I have met. Some particularly special friendships, though, include people I have continued to find throughout the year. Friends I made in Adelaide I have explored other states and cities with, throughout Australia, and some even back home when I visited too!

Confidence isn’t something you can measure, but I know that my experiences in the past year have developed mine. I see this in moments, where it crops up unexpectedly. I do something without thinking, something that in the past may have given me reason for hesitation. I tackle things more autonomously, knowing I have the right and ability too. In particular, though, I have more certainty about the future than I used to. Not in terms of concrete plans, but more in the assurance that things will happen. I speak of future events more confidently, where previously I would have softened myself with ‘maybes’ and ‘ifs’. Because of what I have achieved and overcome already, I know that I can and will do more. Things will work out because that is what they do – I have made sure of it. 

A goal I didn’t set, but that was niggling in the back of my mind, was to know what was ‘next’ for me after this period of travel. I didn’t want to set that goal because I knew that that was a huge pressure. Not only that, but I now realise it is redundant. I don’t have to live my life working towards one thing. I don’t have to make any decisions imminently, or ever. I am allowed to live my life enjoying what I am doing and seeing where it takes me – and that is a privilege. Before last year, it wasn’t a concept I was familiar or comfortable with. I still struggle sometimes, thinking I need to decide where I might settle, or if not, what my 'plan' is. Right now, I plan to keep working events and festivals that excite me, and explore more beautiful places with people I meet. And that is more than enough of a plan, for now.