Why I'm Embracing Spontaneity In 2017
Talking about why this year I'm open to leading a spontaneous life, especially when it comes to travel!
E M B R A C I N G S P O N T A N E I T Y I N 2 0 1 7 . . .
Last night I had a feeling that I needed to travel solo.
I went to sleep with the feeling that I needed to book a solo trip, and awoke with the feeling that I need to book a solo trip! I've only ever been on one solo trip, to Paris about two years ago. Back then, I had the same feeling and just felt like I needed to go, and I wanted to go in alone, so on a whim I booked a return on the Eurostar and spent two wonderful days exploring the streets of Paris.
This morning I woke up and booked a six day trip to my favourite city in the world; New York (nabbed an EPIC deal from Norwegian for £350 return FYI!). I'm honestly so, so excited to travel alone again, it's a feeling like no other! Being able to wake up when you want, do a little shopping, leave the museum when you're ready, eat when and when you like - even though travelling with partners, friends and colleagues is pretty darn awesome, for me travelling alone is just all kinds of wonderful and I genuinely believe that it's something everyone should experience once in their life.
I opted for NYC because 1.) it's the best city in the world, ever. Period. 2.) but also because I never feel like I've ever really done it on 'my terms' and I felt it was about time! I first travelled to NYC around 5 years ago on a trip with university, we were parading around various museums and shopping districts, my second trip was a day trip during a family holiday to New Jersey and my most recent trip to the Big Apple was with the wonderful Kat, but it was mainly a work trip as we were there to shoot some awesome campaigns.
So, I decided that I'm ready to go back, but this time I'm ready to do New York on my terms. Just me, myself and I (oh, and my camera OBV). I wanted to walk until my feet hurt, get lost on the vibrant streets, shop a little, eat delicious food, make friends and snap away until my heart is content. Photography is always something that I've loved but I never do it as much as I'd actually like to. So New York to me is a break of sorts, to just wander the streets, camera in hand and to create content until my heart is happy (which OBV it will be because there's Sephora and Pancakes the size of my face, so that's cool!).
I'm also going to be working on some posts about travelling alone, like I said, I've only ever travelled solo once and it was a two-day trip to Paris so I am NOT sitting here claiming to be miss solo traveller of the year because LOLZ that is definitely NOT me, however, I did have the courage to travel alone once, and I gained the courage to book another solo trip, this time a little further from home and for 6 days instead of 2. But, I did it, I decided that I wanted to go to New York city and that I didn't want to let anyone stop or interfere with my plans, so I went ahead and booked it, and girl, you CAN to!
So many people have been tweeting me saying that they wished they were brave or confident enough to book a solo trip, but I want to tell you that you ARE brave enough. Sometimes we can surprise ourselves with what we're capable of, but trust me when I say, if you step outside of that comfort zone, it's the most exhilarating feeling ever! Why go through life, doing stuff that makes you feel safe? Or that you already know what the outcome is? Don't get me wrong I know it's not for everyone and for some people the idea genuinely terrifies them. BUT I truly believe that it's something everyone should try once in their life, so go on lady, book that trip! Start with a day trip or something small like I did with Paris?! You'll be travelling the world solo in no time! ;)
I've made a decision that this year I'm going to be much more open to spontaneous trips, I want to live an unexpected and unplanned life, because that's what excited me, keeps the fire burning inside. And that essentially, is what I live for! Last year I felt like I kind of got swept along on this super fast ride, and I couldn't find the breaks. Whilst 2016 was ultimately the best year of my life and I travelled extensively (to 15 destinations to be exact, more on that here!), it felt like such a whirlwind, jumping from place to place, with barely enough time to re pack my suitcase in between. As much as I had a blast, I've decided this year it's time to slow the ride down a tad, think about what I really want and where I really want to travel to.
I'm so glad that I have the girls on board to help, as I'm planning to expand the travel section of FMIF extensively, it won't just be me doing all of the travelling. This year I'm doing me, I'm putting myself first and travelling to destinations that I've always wanted to visit; Canada and Japan being the first to tick off my list (hit a girl up with tips if you have any, coz I'm ALL ears!).
There we have it girls, my upcoming trip to NYC (which is next month FYI so keep your eyes peeled!), where I'll be returning to my FAV place in search of making and capturing new memories, alone - and there ain't no one else I'd rather be with!
If you're thinking of booking a solo trip girls, all I gotta say is DO IT! I promise you'll have the time of your life!
P H O T O S B Y M Y B A B E K A T O N O U R R E C E N T T R I P !
Have you travelled solo before? Where did you visit? Have you been to New York? I'm so excited to take you all along on my journey!