Life & Travel Updates (May 2020)
I feel like it’s time to do a little check in on my blog. There is so much going on in the world right now and I feel like my personal state of mind has changed a lot over the last several weeks. I wanted to share this in case anyone else has been going thru cyclical feelings of frustration/sadness and acceptance.
When it first became apparent that lockdowns were coming, I had to change some of my travel plans for the spring. I was disappointed, but I also knew it was necessary. And I believed that if we sat still for a few weeks, we could nip the spread of the disease in the bud and spare the healthcare system from overwhelm.
I’ll also add that I had JUST gotten back from Costa Rica – so I was fresh off a recent trip and still riding high on the memories.
So I think my general acceptance came from having just had some really great travel experiences, plus I saw the opportunity to really buckle down on my blog & get my company website developed. I took a writing course that I had been meaning to do for ages. I have been writing 4 blog articles a week and just generally planning out A LOT of content for the future. Sometimes when traveling, it’s hard to do the actual content creation part of running a travel blog and Instagram account. So this has been a valuable time to get ahead with that.
On top of all that, I have been listening to podcasts on digital marketing constantly – brushing up on new skills. As well as have delved into the world of virtual travel. I completed 15+ virtual travel experiences over the last several weeks. And I have honestly really loved virtual travel – it’s been a way to help satiate my wanderlust and prolong staying sane while at home.
Basically, I was incredibly productive during the first two months of lockdown.
But now I’m starting to hit a wall.
I’m feeling sad and worried about when the world will open up again. I’m longing to travel and explore. I’m craving adventure and culture in person.
I know in the grand scheme of things, I’m an incredibly lucky one. I have a job that is already remote and was no impacted by the global pandemic at all. I have a very comfortable house – that I share with my boyfriend and pets – so I’m not alone thru all this.
I recognize that others have it much harder….my heart goes out to anyone who lost their job due to this pandemic or who has lost a loved one. I can only imagine what you’re going thru. You are far better and brave than I.
But staying home is still hard for me. And I’m trying not to beat myself up about having a hard time with it – even with all the things to be grateful for.
I feel like my mind is riding a rollercoaster, where I feel ok because of all the aforementioned stuff….moving up towards the sky…being productive. But then I start to feel crazy from being inside all day without the usual stimuli of community and culture….and the car comes rocketing down. The low points don’t forever, but they’ve been coming about more frequently since we hit the 2 month mark.
I’ve been spending money to distract myself….on an online course, virtual experience….or something just clothes (lol). And it helps for a little while.
But it seems like it’s getting harder and harder to distract myself lately. The longer this goes on.
The practice of ‘taking it one day at a time’ has also gotten harder too as days & weeks of quarantine have given way to months of quarantine.
My focus has really taken a hit too. Whereas I started off with so much clarity and drive in March, I now hop from task to task, in an almost frenetic pace – in this way, I’m not functioning at full capacity or using my time as effectively as usual.
I think if I knew when it was going to end and when I could travel again, it would be a little easier because I could start planning at least. Planning has always helped me get thru periods where I couldn’t travel. But it’s this period of just complete and utter unknown that make it hard. These are unprecedented times and everyone seems to have different information or perspective. Not to mention things are changing by the day.
I have to remind myself constantly that THIS TOO SHALL PASS. And when it does…I’ll be ready to hit the ground running. Here are a few things I had planned for 2020 – that I still have my eye on for when the world opens back up:
1. Cowork on a Beach– Having just spent 2 months inside a house in a residential neighborhood is really making me crave other backdrops and environments. I think finding a nice, affordable beach to stay on and work would be an ideal place to be once the world opens back up. I’d want to chose a place that isn’t going to be super busy….as I plan to still practice social distancing….but just mix up the atmosphere.
2. Visit Tbilisi, Georgia– I was originally planning to visit Tbilisi in May….which obviously had to be postponed due to the global pandemic. But I’m still itching to explore this city that is supposed to be an up and coming digital nomad hotspot. Ruled by various Middle Eastern powers and later the Russian empire, Tbilisi has a unique history and mix of cultures that can be traced throughout it’s architecture, heritage sites, art, food, etc. Definitely seems like a destination with a lot to offer and explore!
3. Volunteer in Nepal– This was another spring 2020 plan of mine pre-covid19. Kathmandu is supposed to have a lively expat scene and a growing community of digital nomads – plus the time zone difference felt like a good place to spend some hours during the day giving back (while working at night). I love being surrounded by nature and hiking trails – and so visiting the Himalayas has long been a dream of mine. I’ve heard very good things generally overall about Nepal, and it’s been one of those places calling my name.
4. Coliving Retreat– Again, this was another goal for 2020 to spend some time living and working with other digital nomads. I had arranged to do one in May, but that plan fell thru due to the state of the world. I did manager to join an online coliving community….but it wasn’t the same as being able to meet in person. And after being so solitary over the last two months, I’m craving human interaction and very eager to join a coliving community as soon as possible - for the chance to connect & learn from other likeminded individuals.
1. Live in Cape Town– My boyfriend was supposed to be moving to Cape Town for 7 months for a film project—and I planned to go stay with him for a portion of that. I absolutely love Cape Town and was looking forward to getting to explore the understand the city better. Once it’s safe to film abroad again, this will still move forward – but our guess is it will be much delayed.
Well surprisingly, just writing those out immediately made me feel a little bit better. Funny how that works. Planning really does do wonders for your mind.
Thank you for going on this little journey with me. I encourage you all to write out your dream plans for post-covid19!! In fact, I’d love if you shared a dream or two in the comments as well!