How it all started

My life changed when I decided to choose for myself, back in 2014. I decided to book that ticket to Curacao, even if that meant that I would miss my exams, or miss out important stuff that was going on. I choose for myself, 100%,  and it felt good. I remember how nervous I was to step on that airplane by myself. Something so little felt so big for me. My mindset changed and I suddenly realized that I am responsible for my happiness, and I have to do what makes me happy.  It also means that you always have a choice, and I realized that staying home, graduate, get a job and a house was not going to make me happy. I needed to leave, and I needed space for myself, I needed time to explore the world.

I found my love for travel, my love to explore, meeting new people and making the most out of life. Make the most out of life for me means, finding new places, making new memories, meeting new people and laugh as much as I can. It also means to push myself a little bit out of my comfort zone, see what I can learn and how much I can grow. And for the people in my circle know exactly how that turns out to be: putting myself in hard situations, and then completely panic and when the stress is over: that’s it?! Because in the end, my goals scare me a little but excite me a lot.

So that is exactly what I did, I booked my ticket to Thailand. Again something so little felt so big for me, because this time it was not only stepping on that airplane by myself, it was my first solo travel. You are probably thinking: was it really that hard for you? If you look at my life now. But yes, it was hard, because on day 1 I called my friend back home and cried, explaining that I was scared and I couldn’t do it. And how easy as he made it sound: just go outside and meet people, that’s how easy it was! I just needed to believe in myself and step over my fears.

In the years that past, I worked for a summer in America, booked a ticket to Australia without a plan, took a break in Bali until Singapore crossed my path and lead me to where I am now.

And challenging myself is exactly what I am still doing, pushing myself little by little. Everything that I did before is so easy to do now, but I am still in situations that are again making me want to scream and run back home! As the usual.. And I keep growing and I am always learning. Questioning myself, where do I want to go? Am I truly happy here? What will be my next step?

And it feels good, so good to be able to find something that makes me so happy. For me, it means that no matter what life throws at me, I can handle it as long as I follow my dreams. Because I found my happiness and no one can take that away from me. It is something that belongs to me, it is a part of me, a part of who I want to be.

Don’t worry, don’t be afraid ever, because this is just a ride. It’s just a ride and we can change it any time we want. It’s only a choice.