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| Photographing one of my favorite cities at night IS the real world! |
By implying that my current experiences are something other than the real world, I am dismissing the life I’ve been leading for the last 5 months. While photographing the streets of London or teaching capoeira to kids in Beirut may not reflect what I did on a daily basis before leaving for this trip, it is what I choose to do, what I want to do, what I hope to continue doing in some form or fashion even after I’ve (temporarily) put my big suitcase in the storage closet.
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| Getting lost in a bamboo forest IS the real world! |
Come September or October, I may in fact go back to a corporate job. I may also find myself traveling again, or working in a non-corporate setting, or teaching capoeira, or writing for a travel publication, or…well you get the picture. All of these scenarios are real life options, not fantasy world imaginings.
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| Meeting new friends from around the globe IS the real world! |
While not knowing what’s next is intimidating and at times anxiety inducing, it is also exciting and energizing. I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2012 brings for me. One thing I know for sure, is that I will continue writing every Monday and Thursday for this blog and I hope that you all will continue reading it and (*shameless plug*) passing it along to friends and family.
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| Teaching capoeira to a great group of kids in Beirut IS the real world! |
The real world does not have to be dull and routine. There is room for adventure, joy, relaxation and FUN! And the truly talented know how to maximize those positive parts of life…and get paid to do it!
This is awesome and you are so correct. Sometimes our friends/families (and ourselves) think that our time abroad is a phase or just a temporary thing that is not based in reality but it is. Like you said, even if you go back to a corporate job in America or wherever, your experiences are all a part of the “real world” journey of your life. It’s a beautiful thing.
Nailah, nice post…Ofcourse, your real world is what you make it 🙂 It does not have to be some other life as you said. Even in daily life,even in a corporate job or whatever, there is room for adventure. Maybe now your experiences helped you to accept it rather than see it as a negative thing to run away from. That’s what happens when you stop resisting change 🙂 Wake up each day and tell yourself that “today is a miracle”. Open yourself up to receiving one and it will surely come:)
Love, Fogueira
“The real world” to me implies that you live a dream life that others will never attain. You have the courage to step out of your comfort zone and actually go for your dream while others only talk and wish one day or some day. You are certainly living in the real world.
The Skychi Travel Guide
http://www.skychitravels.com
Thank you for acknowledging that your travels are a part of your real world. I will keep this in mind and banish this “back in the real world” idea as it diminishes the travel and adventure as they are happening.
nice one
Nailah (like your name BTW). It takes a lot of courage to look inside and share what one sees. I hope many more people read it. For many life is not a straight line. They just need the affirmation to follow their hearts desires. My journey has recently taken me to China and the Philippines. I hope you keep blogging. Your words will inspire.
Wayne
http://www.blackinlatinamerica.wordpress.com