Wanted on Voyage

Amidst this wild time we call life, there will be an abundant amount of occasions where you will be presented the chance to leave. As a senior in high school, you have the chance to leave home and move away to a university. In college, you have the chance to study abroad in a whole different continent. After college, you will have the chance to pursue your dream profession and/or move anyplace in the world. And when you find the love of your life, you will have the chance to establish a life with them in a new place. That is, if you want any of this and if you’re willing to work for it.

Even considering leaving can be downright exhilarating or totally intimidating for people. It is very normal for us to fall in love with safety and for places and people that feel like a haven. For most, this is our childhood home or our small town that we resided in our entire lives. Separation from this ease may very well be the most petrifying thing ever done so far. Separation from this comfort may be met with remorse, concern, disturbance, and anxieties. Worries are predictable, but shame often encounters us when it comes to leaving. It doesn’t have to stop us though.

When moving away, you are going to leave behind your house. You are going to leave the bedroom you made infinite memories in. You are going to leave behind your family and dearest friends. You are going to leave behind the security of your life. You might feel guilt-ridden for leaving those who stayed with you through it all, those who gave up everything for you. You will leave behind your parents, who laid down their lives for your happiness. You will leave behind a sibling, who is your very best friend. You will leave behind your extended family, who loved you through it all. You will leave behind your friends, who have been there through your ridiculous stories and emotional tears.

You will leave behind love, for the selfish reason of living out your own dreams. Is it selfish though? I don’t think so. In reality, those “selfish” thoughts would end up eating you up because you are placing your dreams and emotions in front of your entire support system. That’s not how it should be. It is okay to go off in search of and in the fulfillment of your own dreams. It is okay to move away and start your own life, in a place entirely fresh and new. It is okay to crave change. Those around you will be sorrowful, but generally, they will be delighted for you. They want you to thrive and accomplish what you were made to achieve. They want you to be the happiest that you can be. All of those optimistic thoughts still won’t seem sufficient when making tough choices, but they have to be.

Saying farewell to what we know to commence a new journey is what life is all about. So whether it be moving away to college or taking a leap to live across the country to follow a profession you always dreamed about, do it. Even if it is temporary. Don’t think about the now. Think about the you in 20, 30 years. Look ahead in life. Will you really regret running the extra mile to realize an exciting dream? I know I wouldn’t. Those you are leaving behind will still be there for you. Your home will still be there and so will your reminiscences. You will not lose anyone, but rather, add a more solid love of yourself and gather more love from those in your life.

So, if you are considering doing something unfamiliar and nowhere close to your comfort zone, do it. Don’t feel down for what you are leaving behind but rather, be overjoyed for what you are plunging into. After all, the goodbyes are not really goodbyes, but are instead “until we meet agains.”

And keep in mind, sometimes the fear won’t go away, so you’ll have to do it afraid.