To South Africa with Love

This time 2 years ago I was in South Africa. It was my first time out of the country and my first time traveling on my own. I spent 4 weeks exploring, volunteering, surfing, bungee jumping, karaoke-ing and meeting incredible new people. Making the choice to jump out of my comfort zone was possibly the best decision I ever made. 

My trip to South Africa came at a point in my life when I had no idea what I was doing. I had just dropped out of college after my freshman year, my summer job had ended, and I had started working in my parents office. I wasn't sure what my plan was or what I wanted. So, one night I did a little research and decided, somewhat on a whim, to book a trip to South Africa. 

During those 4 weeks I found this confidence in myself. I felt more confident talking to new people, which I always had deemed my self terrible at. I felt more confident in figuring out new things on my own. I felt more confident in who I was.

Most importantly though, I found a confidence in uncertainty. I realized that it's okay to have a fear of the unknown but that you shouldn't let that fear stop you. It's okay to be scared of going to a foreign country alone, but don't not go. It's okay to be scared of opening up and meeting new people, but still say hello. It's okay to be scared of not knowing what comes next, but keep moving. 

South Africa lit this spark in me. It made me curious of what else was out in the world to explore. South Africa opened my eyes to the whole world, in just 4 short weeks. And for that, I will be forever grateful.