Excitement meets Trepidation

To say I was nervous would be an understatement. My stomach was rolling and in knots. It's no simple task leaving everything and everyone you know behind.

Sitting on the plane, I couldn't help but feel an array of emotions ranging from immense sadness to anxiety to nerves to unimaginable excitement. Perhaps they were all overlapping in the moment but it was hard to tell because in one moment I would be panicking and in the same breath I would be giddy with excitement. It is almost surreal that the trip I'd been planning since May 2016 had finally arrived.

The night before I left proved to be mentally taxing which naturally didn't help my plethora of emotions. I had no idea how difficult it would be to pack for 8 months all in one backpack. After 4 or 5 times of packing, unpacking, and then repacking I quickly learned it wasn't going to happen without getting rid of some stuff. I had overpacked as per usual. Luckily, due to my mom's organizational skills and a packing list provided by my favorite travel blogger, Nomadic Matt, I managed to work it out. The next day at the airport, after I checked my bag and my flight to Boston was underway, my mind and more importantly, my emotions began to ease up and I was able to focus on the positive.

The journey had begun and all I could do now was focus on making the most of this experience!