Quantcast

June 05, 2013

"To unpathed waters, undreamed shores." - William Shakespeare

(image: Pinterest)

I am travelling in Europe. With a backpack. And I have no idea when I am coming back.

Things have not been going very well for me in the past few months - or should I say, year? - and after contemplating many options - maybe I just needed to move in a new apartment? Change job? Find a new hobby? - I figured out that what I was after is to understand my purpose in life. Most people go to school, find a job in their field of study, get married and have kids, and then they retire and live happily ever after. This is not what I aspire to. I keep asking myself "Yes, but what's next?"

I am absolutely not where I thought I would be in life at 24. I finished university over a year ago and I still have not found a job in my field of study. I still don't know what I really want to do in life. I still live with my mother. And if there is such a thing as a "soulmate", I still have not found them. Also, I am fed up of so many things: the awfuly individualist society we live in, the selfish government, the stupid people obsessed with money and materialistic things, and I could go on and on and on. I feel completely lost, helpless and out of place.

(image: Pinterest)

Then, I discovered travel blogs such as Le sac à dos, Voyages etc., Hecktic Travels and GlobetrotterGirls.com, and then it hit me - I needed to escape. And I am not talking laying on the beach in South Carolina for a week - I am craving true adventure, somewhere far away and completely new to me. This is what I have always wanted, since I was a little girl. I guess I just supressed this need to fit in society's mold. But that's enough. I am breaking free.

I met with a friend who I knew would jump in this adventure with me, and I was over the moon when she accepted to join me! We chose Ireland as our first step in Europe, and a day later, our flight was booked. We could not go back. The following weeks have been pretty hectic - I even crossed the borders to Plattsburgh to shop for items I would need on my trip, such as the best back pack, the most lightweight sleeping bag, etc. Because yes, we are only leaving with back packs. No, there is no makeup involved.

(image: Pinterest)

We did not plan ahead, and we really don't want to. There is this wonderful website, Couchsurfing.org, which makes it very easy to find a kind soul who will let you borrow their couch for a night, but we will also sleep in youth hostels and camping in the wild would be pretty amazing too! We dive in this, open to anything. I believe this is the only way to truly and completely enjoy a new adventure.

Of course, while away, I won't be able to properly update Gaby's Beauty Blog, and I don't think turning it into a travel blog is a good idea, but we will see. I will probably schedule a few posts, and upload some of my travel pictures on Pinterest. Honestly, I saw it coming - I was slowly starting to lose my mojo. The online beauty community has changed so much since I started my blog in 2009, and it is getting very ugly. Instead of helping each others, we are constantly bitching and competing with the others, and I am not sure if I want to be a part of this anymore.

So go on, call me crazy, but if I am not doing this now, when will I be able to do it? Probably not when I will be 50, married and with kids...

Farewell, ladies.

(image: Pinterest)

15 comments:

  1. Gaby! Omg we are in the same sort of situation really. I too will be traveling starting this July for indefinite period of time only with my backpack. I will probably go around Southeast Asia first before heading to India. Don't be a stranger ok? Update us on your journey! Maybe after Europe you can visit southeast Asia too? It's a lot cheaper you know. Haha. Good luck and safe travels!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good luck! Sweden, where I live, has beautiful nature and lots of places to go camping. You are allowed to walk in the woods almost everywhere and it is not very dangerous in any way. A good place to be in the summer! It would be very interesting to see where you go so please update if you can.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow that seems amazing I hope you have a great time and experience on your travels.
    I too hope one day to travel :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am a little jealous Gaby, and I hope you have an incredible adventure. More importantly though, I hope your travels feed and nourish your soul. *Hugs*

    Of note, just in case you were not aware, http://www.happycow.net is a great site to find veggie-friendly places to eat around the globe. I've used it often in my travels overseas, and have never been disappointed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Pas folle du tout! J'espere que tout se passera bien. Si tu passes par londres, fais moi signe ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hope you have a lovely time Gaby! travelling sounds amazing! :D Stay safe and keep in touch! x

    ReplyDelete
  7. <3 I'll miss your updates! I hope you have a great adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  8. How brave of you Gaby! Good for you! I hope you find what you're looking for and I wish you all the best! Good luck! xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gabbbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! I hope you have a safe and amazing trip, and I hope you discover yourself and enjoy everything! Kudos to you for jumping right in and not giving yourself the chance to back out.

    I hope you continue to post still when you get back, I wouldn't mind if it's not about make-up.

    I hope you have an amazing time, and I look forward to your photos!

    Hope all is well! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think 24 is a great age to do this :) Have a blast, and be safe! Although I think I might just do this when I'm 50, so don't knock it ;) I will read up if you update for sure, so do it if you feel like it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. omg I haven't been online much to read blogs.. I knew you were going away which truly makes me envious and I wish I could join you in your crazy adventure that is coming your way! You will be so happy you guys did this. I think it will be completely amazing and such an incredible learning experience. I also do not fit in and feel like I am missing something... who needs marriage and kids anyways?! Travel party and experiences just sound more fun to me. I hope you have a fucking blast and I cant CANT wait to hear from you!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a brave & exciting thing to do Gaby! I hope you have a wonderful experience - and I hope we get to see some of the things you get up to :-)

    Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am gonna miss you but you are gonna have a blast!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ah gaby jte comprend tellement! Moinaussi jsuis dans un rut... Jespere trouver qqc qui va me motiver bientot. Donnes nous des nouvelles quand meme quand tu peux!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow j'avais pas vu toute ton aventure, j'en ai manqué un gros bout cet été haha! Mais j'espère que ton voyage t'as beaucoup aidé. C'est difficile parfois mais tellement la meilleure thérapie au monde! En plus, l'Europe c'est magnifique et tu en apprends beaucoup en ayant aucun toit sur la tête et seulement un sac à dos comme effet personnel! :)
    Jade xox

    www.jade-molina.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete