Saying yes to life

I have loved to travel for as long as I can remember, whether it's visiting family in Oregon or trekking through the mud in Costa Rica, there's nothing quite like an adventure, no matter how small.

The trip that changed my life

"Instead of following the norm, getting back into my career and saving my money, I was putting myself first, and spending my money that I'd worked hard for."

In January of 2022, I was in a rut. I had left my previous job and was on the hunt for something new and exciting, applying to every job I could possibly think of, talking to friends and family, I was desperate to get anything.

One day I was scrolling on TikTok, and a video popped up. A couple with a travel company called Travel World Culture was inquiring to see if there was anyone interested in meeting a bunch of strangers in Costa Rica for 10 days.

Staring at the screen, I felt this push like it was something I needed to do. But I knew I couldn't, I was trying to find a job, start up my career, and make money. But every time, I thought of the trip, and how all I wanted was to travel instead of sitting behind a desk, I was pushed a little closer to reaching out to them and booking it.

After much deliberation with my father, and talking with Jess one of the founders of TWC, I was hooked. I purchased a flight and booked the rest of my trip with them. I was in utter disbelief (and still am sometimes) that I was finally doing something I wanted to do. Instead of following the norm, getting back into my career, and saving my money, I was putting myself first, and spending that money that I'd worked hard for.

"Now I was never much of a school person, I would way rather be out there in the world learning, talking to people, experiencing a new culture, then being stuck in a classroom for hours a day being taught things I could learn myself."

Now this story isn't about my Costa Rica trip. Yes, I know you want to hear all about the monkeys, incredible meals, the amazing people, and my blissful times surfing in the ocean. But this article is about how I actually said yes to something I wanted to do, I pushed back on what I thought I was supposed to do with my life, I wasn't following the typical line that most young adults do.

Growing up in the bay area we are basically told we have to go to a top ten school, get a well-paying job right out of college, make well over 100k a year and commit ourselves to our careers before we even think about getting married and having kids. Now I was never much of a school person, I would way rather be out there in the world learning, talking to people, experiencing a new culture, than being stuck in a classroom for hours a day being taught things I could learn myself.

"You're killing yourself working 40 hours a week, doing a job that you only like 50% of the time, to make money that will either sit in the bank or be spent on things that won't actually make you happy."

As an American, we are so used to working our entire lives, instead of work just being a part of it. If you aren't choosing yourself and doing the things you truly want to do, who's life are you living it for? You're killing yourself working 40 hours a week, doing a job that you only like 50% of the time, to make money that will either sit in the bank or be spent on things that won't actually make you happy. Instead of spending the money on yourself, and experiences. Why buy a new outfit when you can buy a ticket to Portugal? Go to Santorini and cliff jump, go zip-lining in Costa Rica. Make memories in your life you will remember forever, instead of purchasing an outfit you'll wear for maybe two years, that won't make a difference.

Alright maybe I'm a little biased, I have loved to travel since I was a child, different cultures, people, different languages & food are what gives me so much happiness and love that I can't imagine doing anything else in my life. But I also know as human beings, we aren't meant to sit behind a desk until we retire. We are meant to live our lives for ourselves. Life is way too short to not be doing the things you truly want to do. You want to work? Do that, but also do all the other things you've always wanted to do. Don't follow the norm. Follow yourself.