I felt like I have lived multiple lifetimes due to the richness of life I have been experiencing while traveling for the last 5 months.

I have seen so many things and met so many people. The experiences I’ve been having have shaped me 30x quicker than years of the 9 to 7 daily grind.

In many ways I feel renewed and truly whole again. I told one friend “Being here makes my heart sing.”

I feel so open. I am receiving the world at rapid speed and instead of closing in my heart is expanding.

Especially since I’ve spent the past few weeks solo traveling through Southern Africa and Chile.

It has been the experiences I’ve had like truly enjoying a solo dining experience in a Kasane, Botswana lodge. Treating myself to a glass (or a few) of wine and delicious solitude while renegotiating my love for myself as people looked on in pity and I triumphantly enjoyed myself against their expectations.

Or finally discovering the limits of my camera as I pushed myself to my creative limits and that of my camera as we captured the perfect moment of a bird in flight.

Or (continuing to) overcoming my fear of spiders because I had to do so. I had to kill them on my own since Christian was not there. In many ways that empowered me in ways I least expected. I became less afraid of them through understanding the complete lack of control I had over my environment. I accepted them as a reality and, when needed, “took care” of them when they crossed my personal space boundaries. Because of that I’ve been able to walk at night through trees. Lay on the ground to watch incredible scenery around me. Take pictures while laying on the ground of a boat. Hike through the rainforest at night. Sit in the dirt in the open air, under an explosion of stars, and share a beer with new friends. Jump in the back of a truck packed with camping gear and watch the scenery zip by as I laughed with friends. Just discover nature again without the limits of being afraid of spiders. I no longer needed to control space.

Perhaps not just because of solo travel but definitely helped by it – I gained greater serenity to know the difference between the things I can not change and those I can. Not just in the world but also within myself. I’ve accepted certain things I need and those include more moments like yesterday.

Where I spent the day on the shores of a reservoir in Embalse El Yeso in Chile with 3 new friends drinking, relaxing, and attempting to fish while really doing nothing more than enjoying each other’s company and scenery.

I resolved to call my friends more and make more plans when I get back to NYC. It’s those moments in nature with people I care about that rejuvenates me. It’s not optional. It’s food for the soul. I want to hold on to that realization.

When I started traveling and started this blog I imagined myself crafting it into a weekly exploration of places I’ve been to share with the world. However, one and a half months into travel I barely found the time (or desire) to write.

I have at least 20 half written blogs with notes from travel. Not published. Instead I’ve been just living life. Getting into science fiction books, dining alone, and learning Spanish when I have times. My motivation has been to just be present and live every delicious moment.

As I approach the end of my solo travel and the almost “end” of my extended travel with Christian (for now) I’m even more motivated to stay in these enriching moments.

I honestly do not want it to end. I’m living so intensely and so open. Through this I am awakening my soul again.

**While living in Santiago, Chile after traveling for almost a month solo through Southern Africa and Santiago***