On Returning Home After a Year Around the World

I just woke up from a wild dream.

I dreamt I went to Chile and hiked in Patagonia, and then flew all the way across the world to Thailand, where I spent four days in complete paradise on an island with a personal chef and daily massages. From there I went to Italy and tasted the best mozzarella I’ve ever had, while spending my days in a lazy, small town on the southern coast.

Then I jumped on a train. I spent Christmas in the Swiss Alps, went to the north of Germany where I’d never been before, had a snow day in Austria. I kissed the sun in Madrid before flying over the Atlantic, back to my beloved Patagonia.

This time it was Argentina, because I’ve always wanted to go there. I suddenly had local friends and was speaking more Spanish than I had in years. I played in the mountains, hiking, running, drinking craft beer, eating giant steaks, and soaking in the most beautiful place at bottom of the world.

Then I was back in Europe, this time in the Balkans. I hung from the edge of a cliff, everyone telling me I was safe in my harness. Somehow I made it to the top. I went back to my favorite place in Macedonia, a lakeside cafe where the sun sets over an old stone church on the water, and swans swim lazily by.

As I looked out over the water, I knew this part of the dream was going to end soon, but I also knew I needed to keep moving forward.

Then I was back in North America. I was once again strapped to a cliff in a harness, but this time it was much easier. I was practically walking up that rock.

Finally, I was reunited with my truck, and I got back into the drivers seat and started driving, which eventually led me here.

I woke up in Montana this morning.

I know this place. I have a great sense of belonging here. I know where to go to get coffee. I might even run into a friend on the street. I have a soccer game tonight and two barbecues this weekend. My truck is still outside.

The weather is the same as the day I left, as if nothing even happened.

But… Where do Chile, Thailand, Italy, Switzerland, Argentina, Macedonia, and all the other countries fit in with my present? What about the personal transformation I went through as I traveled to all of these places? I have photos. I have videos. I have personal stories to prove all of those things just happened. In real life. Real life. So, what is this?

This is a challenge to me, to harness everything I have learned in the past year, to continue to acknowledge my transformation within, to continue to share about the experiences I’ve had and lessons I’ve learned, so as to not lose them in time and memory.

It is an opportunity to go forward with new strengths because of things I’ve dealt with, with new perspectives because of people I’ve met, with new tastes because of foods I’ve tried, and with new confidence in myself because I’ve been traveling solo throughout all of it.

This is an opportunity for me to be present, enjoying all the things I love to do during the summer in Montana, because I will only be here for a short time.

Before I know it, I’ll be leaving again. It’s what I do. It’s what I’ve done since I was 18.

It is difficult to return to a place of familiarity, even one I love, after such an adventure. It’s as if I disappeared and came back within the blink of an eye, but I know in my heart that isn’t true.

This adventure has been my existence for the past year and continues today. It exists in my attitude, my preferences, my beliefs, my strengths, my courage, my plans for the future, my work, my readers and listeners, in everything that makes me who I am. It’s up to me to recognize that, to keep everything I have learned at the surface, and not let it get buried by the familiarity of my surroundings.

I am different now than I was when I left here exactly nine months ago to the day. I may look the same on the outside, and so might everything around me, but on the inside, a lot has happened. To separate myself from that would be a waste of the gift.

I know this is just another stop on my adventure, in a place where I don’t have to learn the language or try as hard to make new friends. I’m excited to be here. Montana is my happy place, but I’m also more motivated than ever to continue pursuing the path I’m on.

It wasn’t just a trip, nor was I dreaming; this a lifestyle journey, and it’s not over. In fact, in a way, I believe it has just begun.