If traveling was free....

Recently I had to interview this lovely person. She mentioned the fact that she loves traveling. And that she had recently posted a quote on her facebook;

"If traveling was free, you would never see me again..."

At first I was like "DUHH same here!". But then again,, 

Why is that second part of the sentence you'd never see me again? Why not travel together, who doesn't like to travel?? I think it's because most people don't travel to just see the world. Traveljunkies(that's what I call them for now) aren't just traveling to explore the world. What they like to do, is to run away from their home crowed... I think exploring yourself is somehow an urge for a lot of people, and it's best to do it alone.

Few weeks ago I read that every great story always exists out of 3 parts:

1st The call, the call to adventure.

2nd The battle, the conflict in life, with a rebirth as a reward.

3rd The elixer, sharing your insights, experiences and happiness to take on in your normal life. 

Every story begins with a wakeup call. A major issue in life that calls for a change. (the call)

With the intention to search for the meaning of life and exploring yourself, therefore you must face your fears. (the battle)

When you return home, you'll be able to help others. For example by sharing your story. (the elixer)

The second part, the battle, is moment when people start traveling. Maybe this "magic" story formula the reflection of a human life cycle. That's why those stories are so likeable, it is equal to our feelings. It is the perception of what we want in our life. 

What would my life look like if traveling was free?

I'd probably be in an other country at least every other weekend. But most people that I know also love traveling so I wouldn't be alone. And to be honest, yes, if traveling was free I would also travel by myself. If it wasn't clear yet, I too am in this battle fase at least the beginning of this fase. I would consider myself as a beginning traveljunkie, love to explore but not yet addicted (enough).

Doubting everything and everyone

Last night I had this huge trust issue. Suddenly I started to think about all people that I hang out with, who to trust, better said who not to trust. Going through all my friends I started to wonder if I had trusted the right people. Or that maybe I should cut a few off.... And should I be more careful about the things I share with others?

When you know that people have been lying to your face once, is that a sign that they will lie to you all the time, or when it suits them? And is there a difference between a big lie and a small lie? If so, should you make a difference between big and small lies?

And is knowing the fact that a person is not trustworthy, giving you the advantage to act on it? So many questions flying towards me, but no answers to throw back. 

I think the easiest way to deal with all these doubts is to cut everyone off. And when it's family or a person that you can't cut off, than make sure you think about stuff twice before you share it. 

Maybe this solution is too extreme, maybe you will end up lonely. But I really dont like the thought of thinking about every word you say and having to defend everything you say especially in the circle that's closest to me. Or the feeling of being on edge all the time, because you're scared about sharing some bad or personal stuff. Also to be there for someone else, you have to be able to listen to them without having to doubt every word they say.

I know its me being paranoïa. But one thing is sure, the ones that I trust most are my parents even when they lie. Because I'd like to think that there ARE still people that I can trust with everything.

#LifeWithoutBumps

Watching series as a talent

Being the "normal" kid, I never stood out in anything. In school I would pass every class but just with average grades. I spend around 12 years practicing ballet and I know I wasn't bad.. but I also knew that I wasn't good enough to make more out of it, other then on an amateur level. I was good at all sort of things but never really "great".

And somehow I missed this way obvious thing about myself. Something I do almost every day and it has become a habit. The one thing I am really good at is watching series!! As I write this I am watching an episode of Pretty little liars (just started season on 4, no spoilers please..)

So my talent is to watch one whole season of any serie in just one week....next to all the stuff that everyone has to deal with; school, work, cleaning, cooking, friends, family etc. etc.

If you are wondering,, Current series that I watch are Pretty Little Lairs and The Walking Dead.
I just finished House of cards (season 3) and I am waiting for new episodes of Devious maids, Once upon a time and ofcourse Game of thrones.

Some may say watching series isn't a talent, I see it is a reflection of some of my qualities.

1. Commitment

You have no idea how many series I have watched. And seriously it takes some commitment to get trough so many seasons. 

2. Open mindedness

I watch Hong Kong Drama series to The walking dead and It's always sunny in Philadelphia and I like every single genre as much as the other. 

3. Setting priorities

To watch that many series still keep up with the social life stuff and everything else screams for multitasking and priority settings. 

I also like to think that you can learn one or two things by watching series, like:

Knowledge of human nature

Just by watching and analyzing all those different characters makes you understand the people around you. Because even though they are just characters, directors based them on real people's behaviour. 

Survival 

And ofcourse survival, everyone knows you don't go to the basement if you hear weird sounds in your house. And that you can only kill a zombie by headshots. 

So if I somehow do end up in a simular situation, I know I am already a dead man. 

Because no way that I am as brave as a leading character in any written script. 

It has taken me twice as long to write this blogpost just because my tablet screen is not big enough to do both writing and watching.

#Life Without Bumps

Why sleeping is not a waste of time

BLABLABLA

Yes, mom...  I am sorry mom... I'll try not to mom....

I remember those times when my mom would whine about the fact that I got out of bed so late, AGAIN! Clearly it didn't have any effect on me, none whatsoever. I knew that it was wrong of me to sleep in so late, but it just felt soooo gooddd.

The complaints started when I became a teenager and somewhere around a year ago she stopped complaining about it. I think my mom somehow realised that there was a reason for me to sleep so much, that might have been the reason why she stopped whining, or maybe she just stopped caring.

Given the fact that my mom doesn't complain anymore and instead of feeling bad over it, I decided to except it and even embrace it. 

"I LOVE SLEEPING!"

Hearing people say sleeping is a waste of time, makes me feel mis understood.

Hello!! I am not even talking about all the benefits of sleeping. Things like more stamina, improvement of your memory, improvement in blood pressure, spur creativity, less daytime fatigue and more and more, you name it. (btw. all proven facts from health.com)

But when I really think about it, non of that is really relevant to me, it's is just an extra.
No, why I really love to sleep is because I can control my dreams.

Jealous much huh?!? I hear you ;)

And with having a wild imagination like I do, sleeping becomes really fun!
Especially when you're living this "normal" life like I do. I make dreams far more exciting than my real life. I don't care if you think that is B.S. and stop saying that I should make my real life excting. This what works for me and this is how I like to live. This is how we roll.

And with that being said, I will jump in bed to live my dream.

Good night, sleep tight !

#LifeWithoutBumps

When life gives you lemons

#LifeWithoutBumps

Here are some weird questions that you probably cannot relate to!

What if ...

... your life is exactly the way people say it's supposed to be?
... you have always followed the rules?
... you have alway taken peoples advises to heart?

And
when life does not throw you heavy curve balls?

Imagine a lighted path that leads you straight into the big world. As long as you follow this path, while you're growing up, you will be able to handle yourself in this harsh world.

What if life has ALWAYS given you lemons but for a moment you realise that the path is ending? And while you were following it, you had no clue of the meaning of this path, that it was meant to shape you as a person. You only followed this path because it was so bright.
  - Britney Spears called it "not a girl, not yet a woman." - ;)

How will you make lemonade?

What now?