Those Who Wander - February 2016 #2

It is amazing what you can actually achieve
when you put your mind to it. Within
months I had paid it off, had more money
than I bargained for and was well on my
way of putting my trip together. I didn?t
work crazy hours (at this point), I don?t have
a high-flying fancy job, I didn?t win the
lottery ? although, I did win a fiver once or
twice, success! ? the secret? Budgeting? .
YOULEARNVERYQUICKLYHOWMUCHMATERIAL
WEALTHYOUDON?TNEED?.
Budgeting pretty much leads you to
breaking habits you once clung to. No more
pay-day splurges on clothes I?d never wear,
no more gadgets just because they?re the
new model, that christmas coffee special?
nope I?m good with instant (well, not really
but I?ll cope).
Months down the line and I sold most
things I owned, gave away clothes I didn?t
wear (if I couldn?t sell them) and realised
that I actually felt better without having so
much ?stuff?, not feeling the pressure to buy
new ?stuff?and the disappointment when I
didn?t have it was almost liberating (almost,
you can not crave shopping sometime).
YOULEARNTHATSAYING?NO?DOESN?TMAKE
YOUABADPERSON?
Before deciding to travel and finalising
budgets I found it almost impossible to say
?No?to people.
I went out when I didn?t feel like it because
I was too sacred to let people down, I would
go to the expensive restaurant, nights out,
I?d buy that expensive purse, go to places I
hated, hang out with you when I wanted to
be alone you name it. I couldn?t stop
myself.
I was so scared of letting people down, I
never wanted to be someone who you
couldn?t rely on. But being this way doesn?t
make you appreciated, or respected.
When I started to say No to things I would
justify them to people with alternative
excuses, eventually moving to the ?I?m
going to travel I need to save money, sorry?
then to eventually, just saying No. I became
a stronger person, happier too believe it or
not.
Saying ?No?made me appreciate the time I
did go and do things. I did what I wanted to
do rather than feeling obliged to do
something. It saved me a heck of a lot of
money too! Saying ?No?kind of liberates
you a little.
I WASQUESTIONED(MORETHANONCE) IFI HAD
ANYMATERNALINSTINCTSATALL?
Hold. The. Phone. Are you serious!?
Yes I am, believe it or not this is a question I
was asked a few times before taking off? .
Never for a second did I think that making
the decision to travel the world solo at 24
meant that I had to justify a life I hadn?t
even began to think of. A pretty personal
question which all of sudden became open
for conversation. At 23/ 24 I can?t say the
whole marriage and babies part of life was
anywhere near being open for
conversation.