29 days before I go to Australia. “What are you running away from?” asked my father. “I’m not running away” I responded. “Yes you are, wait for it, you’ll see” “If you are still travelling in 10 years you are seriously running away” he replied. Why does this annoy me so much?

We all know the stories about people travelling in the hope to find themselves, people who are not happy at home and choose to step away for a while through travelling. For those who return and live a happy life, this travel-therapy works. The others who are stuck in a never ending trip or return and feel a lust for leaving again, have they failed at thravelpy? Where does this sense of running away come from? What if the place is irrelevant? What if it is all me, wherever I am, running away is useless.

My parents’ approval is important to me. I think people who ‘run away’ are lost in themselves which made it hurt that my father thinks I’m running away. I want to be the perfect daughter. The explorer who has everything figured out because no way society will except a gap-year without a perfect plan for the future. My defence of why I am absolutely not “a lost girl travelling for purpose or comfort zone” keeps me busy, what will I tell my parents!? How can I ensure the perfect picture before I leave?

Ever felt this pressure in your life? Let me make this a bit easier; what if it all didn’t matter? What if there is no ideal, no perfect daughter and no good nor bad? What if we all just didn’t care for the common story or fear? What will be possible if we follow our dreams without societies opinion?

Mum & dad, I am pretty aware of my choices and even if I’m not, I’ll figure it out. I’m not enjoying this need to defend myself, so I won’t. Everyone can make up their own story about ‘why’ I’m travelling. Important for me is that I make sure to be happy wherever I am, and my personal development has all to do with I-time and not where. The choices of how I want to fill in my life are endless. I’m privileged and I’m very grateful for this. I will leave my mark in this world, I have a vision that guides me and I choose to also live the best life I can dream.

I hope everyone “finds themselves” and I hope we leave our comfort zones. I wish those who travel the world to also travel an inner journey. I wish those who stay at home to experience just as much of a journey. A straight line in life is not natural, make your own choices. With every door closed, a new one opens. I don’t think I can actually run away, I will always catch up with myself. The future is now and I’m excited and thrilled to run towards it. What about you?