8 weeks abroad

I’ve had my fair share of travel prior to this stretch, yet none quite like this one… these past 8 weeks have been a whirlwind of experiences, friendships, and lessons that I will forever hold dear. While based in Madrid, my travels took me far and wide - from Dublin with my brother to Barcelona and Rome with close friends, Valencia, Morocco, and Copenhagen with new companions, and further still with Portugal solo, and Greece and Italy with my mom. There were shared meals and meals savored alone, late nights out and quiet evenings in, lots of laughter and a few tears. It wasn’t always glamorous; shoutout to my Valencia crew, and there were moments of deep introspection, but such periods of growth are supposed to be imperfect. I learned the art of relinquishing control and allowing life to unfold as it should. I gained clarity on my core values and discerned what truly merits my attention. I discovered more about myself and was enlightened by all the people I met. Despite the nerves that come with venturing into the unknown, meeting new faces, and uncovering hidden parts of myself, it was an experience unparell to anything else.

I look back on my time and am so grateful for all the highs and lows - for the running group I found and the friendly faces that embraced me, for the pilates studio that was taught in Spanish, for the humble cafes I studied in after every class, for the strong winds that chilled my cheeks as I walked, for the metro system that made me a city-pro, for the alarm that constantly went off at my apartment, for the cheap flights and hotels that reminded me travel is not always glamorous, for the people that helped me grow, and most importantly, I am grateful for the new version of myself.

Life is finite. We control our destiny by the choices we make and the boundaries we push. Here’s to always being subject to change…