22/01/2025
𝐈 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐈 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫
I’m almost 50, and I’m just starting to explore the world. For the first time, I’m seeing sunsets from mountain peaks, walking along unfamiliar streets in distant towns, and hearing the sound of waves crashing against shores I once only saw in pictures. It’s beautiful, it’s exhilarating, but if I’m being honest, it’s bittersweet.
You see, I spent the better part of my life working. I don’t regret providing for my family—that was my responsibility, and I took pride in it. But somewhere along the way, I forgot about myself. I told myself, there’s time for travel later, after the kids finish school, after I pay off the house, after I save enough for retirement. The problem is, “later” became a lifetime.
Now I walk these trails with knees that ache after an hour. I climb stairs to see breathtaking views but need to catch my breath halfway. My energy isn’t what it used to be, and I realize just how much I missed by waiting.
When I meet younger travelers on the road, I admire their courage and freedom, but it also stings. I wish I had been brave enough to do what they’re doing. I wish I had seen the world through young, curious eyes and carried those memories with me through the decades. Instead, I lived for the "what-ifs" and "next times."
But I’m here now, and that counts for something. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life doesn’t pause for us to catch up. So, I’m doing my best to make up for lost time. I’m taking it all in—the sights, the sounds, the tastes—and trying not to dwell on the years I let slip away.
If you’re young and reading this, please listen to me. Don’t wait for the “perfect time” to see the world. Go now, while your legs are strong, your heart is open, and your dreams are big. Life will always find a way to keep you busy. You have to make the decision to live it.
I wish I had. But today, I’m choosing to live what’s left.
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