Do you consider yourself a daring soul? As I challenged myself more over the years, I discovered my authentic self – the dreamer and the doer.
Have you ever dreamt a dream and wondered if and when it would come true? Or even if it was possible… for YOU?
I have.
I did.
And it happened FOR me because I chose to make it happen.
My first international trip.
A very different experience.
As a woman.
In a foreign country.
With no friends or family with me.
Completely SOLO.
TO IRELAND I GO.
I didn’t wait for someone to partner up with me and be my ride or die. I wasn’t about to ask any friends or family to tag along. Solo. That’s what I wanted.
WHY?
Here’s the real and raw truth.
I wanted to gift myself an experience that would impact me in ways I couldn’t imagine quite yet. This trip did just that. I went into this trip with one mindset and it shifted entirely, for the better. It changed how I walk in this world today.
Intentional in my research of Ireland, I extensively read online articles and blog posts by people who have visited the country.
The desire to explore on my own, to soak in every moment of this experience with no outside noise, and the internal craving wanting to prove to myself…
I.
CAN.
DO.
THIS.
GOING AGAINST THE NOISE.
But let me be honest. On the forefront, I heard all the noise…
“Christine…why not wait until you have a partner to go with you?”
“Did you ask any friends to go? Why not?
“Why would you go to a foreign country ALONE?”
“Are you sure it’s safe for you to travel alone?”
“You know trips like that are better when you have someone to share it with.”
I heard it all – but the icing on the cake was…
When I specifically requested a travel itinerary that included only 3 people…
Me. Myself. And I.
My travel agent said, “Christine, are you sure about this? I mean, you’re a female and a single woman wanting to drive yourself around in Ireland. That’s not very safe. How about I book a 10-day trip with a group tour? That sounds like the safer route for you.”
Oh my…”safer route?!”
THAT OBLIGATORY FEELING.
Have you ever felt obligated to do or say something or be someone because of what others tell you that you “should do?” Since when do we give away our power and allow others to tell us how to live our lives and how to experience the things we want to experience on our own terms? Friends, I’ll be honest. My response to my travel agent was everything but what he expected to hear. I told him that I love people…because I DO. BUT to travel with a bus full of 60 people for 10 days in a row for excursions that he eluded would be starting at 6am – 6pm A DAY!!!!!
NO. THANK. YOU.
Again, I love people. However, the intent of this trip was to fulfill my desires, choices and personal experiences all on my own. My decisions. I craved to be on my time and ONLY my time. I planned to explore where I wanted to explore and just BE.
Eventually my travel agent gathered this from me and provided me with a 10-day SOLO itinerary where I stayed in a castle upon my arrival and departure from Ireland. By request. Yes. I. Did.
BY MY DESIGN.
I rented a car and I drove myself from Dublin to Galway to Killarney to Cork to Waterford and back to Dublin. Incase you don’t know this, in Ireland they drive on the left side of the road, right driver seat and the majority of cars are manuals. I wasn’t afraid of driving a manual. The fact was I knew how to do this too…but with my left hand managing the gears while I just wanted to soak in the beauty around me and not focus on which gear I’m in…yes, I chose an automatic. By request. Yes. I. Did.
Are you seeing a pattern here?
My entire trip was…
BY. MY. DESIGN.
This trip changed me FOREVER.
I was daring. Solo. The dreamer..and now…the DOER.
Friends…it was WORTH IT!!!!
Did I get lost?
Absolutely.
Did I care?
I laughed at myself.
Being unafraid and open-minded to getting lost led me to unknown paths, castle ruins, breathtaking parks, wild sheep, and views ingrained in my memories.
Learning to lean into your fears and leaving behind the what if’s of the mind and just do the damn thing anyway. I’ve learned it’s in these moments where it’s ALWAYS become one of my most memorable and life changing experiences.
So friend, I ask you…
What dream are you holding onto but not living into?
GO. FOR. IT.
XO, Christine
P.S. Come with me and let’s go explore all of Ireland’s beauty together.
First Up. Dublin.
