19 Oct 2016

Everyone tells me I need to travel after my exams. And you know? I get it. The world is an amazing place that I must explore if I have the opportunity to do so.

So many people defer university for a while and use their summer savings to swim around Greek Islands, climb Swiss mountains, or make like Alexander Supertramp and trek into Alaska… But to be honest, I don’t feel ready to travel right now.

Of course I want to see the world, but I want to see the world after I’ve studied–not because I think I’ll fall behind, but because I’m excited to enter an institution and learn about the things I’ve been so passionate about for so long.

School was a bore, there was no challenge for me there. No, I didn’t nail my ATAR–far from it. I didn’t like the structure of school and it lacked the freedom of expression I so desperately yearned for.

However, I’ve heard great things about university and I know I’ll belong there. I’m excited to sit in class and learn, and to be surrounded by like-minded people who ‘get’ it, you know?

I think social media makes you believe that the never-ending glamorous lifestyle that travel brings is the only way to enrich your existence (and your insta aesthetic). 

It makes you believe that you can only find yourself on the road, and you can only learn about your place in it by jumping on a plane.

For the most part, I’m sure you learn all of those things! But I’m in no rush, and I know I’ll learn a vast array of other things during this next chapter of my life–in my job, in my university and in my trashy share house.

Please stop telling me my life choices lack ‘adventure’ or ‘excitement’ because I’m not travelling. The most important thing is that we make decisions that we feel in control of, and that we are comfortable and happy making. I’m not choosing travel just yet, and that’s okay.