26 Sep 2019

So you’re halfway through your gap year and things don’t quite feel like you expected them to.

The bucket list you made in January remains largely unfulfilled and you’ve barely saved enough to fly across the country. You might feel pretty disappointed and that's fair enough.

Your younger self probably hoped for a year of drastic, wild new experiences. Instead, you’re pulling double shifts at the local pub, and it feels like your only mate is your dog. The gap year is becoming disappointing.

It might feel like you’re losing sight of the ambitions you’ve built for this year, wasting time and getting nowhere as your parents watch on disapprovingly.

The good news is, the night’s still young and so are you mate, there’s no need to settle in now.

1. Stop making excuses

We know it’s not always easy to just up and run overseas.

Maybe your Mum is over-protective and barely lets you leave the house, or you’re struggling to pay rent and save money simultaneously.

The thing is that every young traveller faces some limitation to push past though, and while daunting, it can only reflect your determination.

Have a go at making a list of your obstacles consider which ones can be resolved within a few weeks, and which ones could legitimately prevent you from travelling. You may be surprised at how few are truly in your way.

Then when you look beyond the issues, you can start finding solutions to the valid obstacles.

You might need to book a pre-organised group trip to overcome your fear of solo travel or have a serious chat with Mum about your need for independence.

Taking these first few steps requires some motivation, but you’ll soon see your trip aligning.

2. Make the most of home

That being said, if for whatever unforeseen circumstance you don’t make it off on any adventures, it’s not the end of the world.

A gap year on home turf can be equally as beneficial as a globe-trotting gap year, so long as you take this opportunity to continue growing.

For the first time in a looong time, you’re physically free from the authority, discipline and rigid structure that was school.

Give yourself a chance to find purpose again, figure out what feels best for yourself intuitively, not from the direction of teachers and parents.

Read more books, spend more time with your siblings, get your P’s and don’t get stuck in your comfort zone! So long as you don’t bum around, scrounging off your ‘rents with no intention to further yourself this year, it won’t be wasteful.

3. Remember that freedom doesn’t expire

Truth be told, you will find ample opportunities to continue travelling even after this year.

If you’re committing to full-time work next year, remember that more money = bigger, better travel plans. Or maybe you’re heading to uni or an apprenticeship, that’s sweet too because there’s top-notch exchange programs for both.

Your freedom isn’t going to expire and your craving for adventure probably won’t either.

So don’t sweat it if there’s no dreamy sunsets over exotic horizons and drinking games in foreign hostels yet.

Whether or not your gap year turns out how you’d hoped, there’s still a lot to be learnt from this new season in your life.

In a few years’ time, you probably won’t remember the boredom. Instead, you’ll reminisce on the luxury of time and laziness, maybe even recognise some self-growth.

Trust me, you’ve got countless years of travel awaiting you- not just one weak gap year.

by Matilda Reid