Taking the Next Step

I feel as if I have become a stereotype. I am now a married woman working in a job in which I have exactly 5 hours of vacation time I can use with a mountain of bills. Everyone seems convinced that I should be focused on reproduction, but all I can think about is how I want to be writing in coffee shops and exploring new areas. My desperation to travel is only getting worse, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and at least take a step in the right direction. 

Soooo I have done two things. The first is that I am volunteering for Hosteling International. My first day will be tomorrow and I am both excited and nervous. Two Monday nights a month I will be going to their DC hostel after work to cook dinner for travelers. What if I am so awkward they ask me never to come back? What if I get lost and get there really late? What if I ruin the pasta? Not sure how I would manage that second one, but you never know. For those of you in that same “I’m stuck here for now” boat, I thought this would be a great way to at least get back one of the wonderful things I miss about traveling—getting to know folks from different places and walks of life. I was actually surprised by how many volunteer options HI has all around the US. Other volunteer options included giving tours, organizing activity nights, and some locations even offer the opportunity to teach travel classes. I fully encourage any lover of travel to consider them as a place to volunteer.

The second thing I’m doing is much more exciting even if success is improbable. This month I am going to work on a submission for the World Nomads travel scholarship. My wonderful husband told me about it and I am excited at the possibility of spending time in China with the intent of being a travel writer. It’s a long shot, but at least I feel like I’m doing something to change my non-itinerant status in life. I am open to suggestions on what else I could do, so if you have any tips please share!