to say that this trip healed me immensely is a bit intimidating to say. for one, i feel privileged and spoiled af. (big ups and hella gratitude to the higher powers that be). but then i think, i deserve this. why wouldn’t i have? two, my inner cup is over flowing and it hasn’t felt full in a long time and i know that life comes with ebbs and flows, so im trying to ride this high out as long as i can. this trip has given me the healing i’ve needed in my life for a long time coming. my eyes, my mind, and my soul have a completely new outlook on myself and the world that i live in. i needed to explore new corners of the world to expand the corners of my inner world. and it had done just that.

someone said to me, “you can get bit by an ant in your backyard.” well, i’ve been bit several times in my backyard. but i think for a soul like mine, it’s imperative to search in deeper corners. my mind is an endless pit of curiosity with a need for novelty, and i needed to see what else lay beyond these home horizons i’ve been effortlessly exploring for a while.

i’ve learned a lot about other countries through the opinions of their citizens. i’ve gained a bunch of helpful tips for traveling via bus, plane, or hitchhiking. but the insight that has impacted me the most is the knowledge of who i am when i walk this world. i’ve gotten to know myself deeper through community and solitude, immersion of the city life and the solace of the farm life. i’ve learned more about my desires, my fears, my wants and my needs. as much as this was a trip to the external world, it was more about my internal pursuits.

a line in The Alchemist that struck for me was, “When you posses great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed.”

i’ve (re)discovered a lot about myself. i’ve always believed i’ve had great treasures; the ability to look at the world with a glass half full mentality, hope for humanity and just a love for the little things. i used to think this was weakness because it was different or seemingly ignorant. that was because i allowed the outside world to speak for me and i was not listening to the Langauge of the World. but i’ve since then tuned in.

i’ve met a few souls that also posses great treasures within, and in turn, saw the great treasures within me. i felt validated, heard and seen, i didn’t feel so crazy anymore for thinking and acting the way i do.

they say travel helps you grow, and i think it’s not something you’ll understand until you do it yourself for it teaches everyone different things, in different ways. as far as i’ve gone and as long as i’ve been out here, the best kind of travel i’ve done… is traveling within. i’ve strengthened my yoga and meditation practice which in turn has allowed more time for intentional reflection, moments of silence and stillness to be in the present moment, and richer opportunities for self-love.

i’ve grown so much self love for myself in so many aspects and a huge part of this trip was proving to myself (and others!) that yes, i am an independent, fearless, brave woman. sometimes words are not enough, and it must be followed with action.

i’ve always been an advocate for inner exploration but when my external world wasn’t supporting my inner growth, i needed to venture out to test my inner world, in order to expand it. i’ve been listening to my heart, following the omens, and finding the Soul of the World. and it’s only just the beginning.