Why
Since the age of 12, I’ve kept a handwritten bucket-list. A series of silly but aspirational life goals, scribbled onto a ripped page of notebook paper and stuffed into my wallet. Run with the bulls! See the Olympics live! Submarine ride to the Marina Trench! Curiosities born from long childhood summers reading through every library book on space, history and dinosaurs I could find.
At some point in college I must have lost the list. So I re-wrote it again in 2012 (pictured above), and have tucked it away in a drawer or bookcase everywhere I’ve moved. It’s been a cherished list that over time, has served as a personal reminder to continue kindling my curiosity, and to not forget what dreams felt like before “life” took over.
Traveling the world was on the list, too. Well, Visit all 7 continents, to be exact. But the spirit from the very beginning was exploration, to take extended opportunities over my lifetime to see as much of this world as possible.
So, I’m taking the next 9 months to do just that, and backpack around the world with my wife. Simply, to pursue a childhood dream.
Committing to taking a world trip, of course, is a whole different thing. Although it’s important not to confuse it with the deeper “why,” I found the exercise of answering “why now” and “why also” pretty helpful personally. I’ve jotted them below.
Burnout from work. 7 years of a highly demanding job building and scaling a company as an executive.
Need a break from NYC. From the lifestyle, the pace, and the demands of the city.
30, just married, no kids.
Invest into myself personally versus professionally, especially around more creative outlets like photography, language and writing.
Build healthier habits. Less screentime, more outdoor activities.
Build mental clarity to reflect on what to do next professionally. Headspace and reading time to ponder, without structure, what personal principles to prioritize, which industries to learn, what problems to solve, which people to build new and exciting things with.
Connect with people outside of my bubble. Build more empathy and understanding of our world, especially in today’s global political climate. Broaden and challenge my perspective.
See nature’s gifts before they disappear.
Travel while we’re healthy and our families are healthy.
Have something inspirational to share with my kids. Hopefully check the “cool dad” box for one thing.
In originally reviewing this list, I had realized a few things. One, perfect moments are hard to come by, but you do sometimes get good moments. The challenge is grabbing them by the horns when they present themselves, without excuse. Taking the plunge has been a daily mix of excitement and anxiety all at once, but feels absolutely right. Second, I’m super fortunate and should remember it. Period. Third, during the trip, it will be important to not mix the “why” with the “why now” or “why also.” I’m not traveling to become a better photographer, spark a mental epiphany or recover from burnout. Some of those may happen (hopefully) or may not, but it’s not the priority. I’m traveling because, well, it’s been the dream.
So, here we go!
