FLUFF THIS, I´m Going to COLOMBIA - Part 2 of my Mid-20s Crisis

At times most of us, especially in our 20s, before we truly feel secure, comfortable, and happy with a life where we choose to settle down, think of packing our bags, quitting our jobs, and taking time away from situations where we are not confident it is what we see for ourselves in our future.

Few people have the courage to actually do this. Of course, to officially leave takes years of saving, and sometimes planning, but also the ability to take a huge risk. You give up financial stability and creature comforts in search of a rare kind of fulfilment.

The ‘travel bug’ is a term which most people associate with simply enjoying travel, but really it applies to those of us nomads who can easily detach themselves from places, people and surroundings to experience something new.

I’ve done this several times: moving away for university just a couple hours drive from home- not so uncommon, a semester spent in Sacramento, California, summer internships plus a 3 month job contract in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and of course, a year in the Caribbean. In the ‘BVI’ (British Virgin Islands) I was an official resident and had a work permit for my dream job, working as a writer and Co-Editor of a luxury magazine.

Then in 2017 I did something bold, after my job contract in Burlington (close to my hometown) came and to end… I thought “Fluff this, I’m going to Europe,”and packed my bag with no plan after visiting a cousin in Barcelona and meeting my family in England.

I wound up volunteering at a party hostel in Greece for 2 months as an Activities and Entertainment Coordinator and loved it.

Since my return to my hometown in Canada in August 2017, I longed to do another hostel work experience, but ended up getting held back by a relationship which wasn’t meant to be.

Living at home and desperate to get out, I met my current boyfriend in August 2018.

It’s been a hard 7 months for both of us with personal problems, and stress has taken its toll. I lost a huge amount of my savings at the start of 2019- I’m in the process of getting it back what was taken, but the problem turned out to be more complicated than I thought. I tried hard to fix the larger issue, but sometimes, you just have to take a break and allow time to do some healing.

With all this going on and neither my guy or I happy with ourselves, it was hard for what seemed such a great match to have a smooth relationship.

This opportunity came about to work at an Eco Hostel off the coast of Cartagena, Columbia, in the San Bernardo Islas. Casa en el Agua… I saw this place on a video clip on Travel Insider on Facebook as one of these “must go” destinations. Never would I have thought I’d be living and working here.

My boyfriend and I agreed time apart would do us good. I hope we’re right. For me, I needed the sensation of accomplishing something challenging and incredible, and to take my mind off stress, and for him, he needed a reason to change and go back to his old self, the person I met in August.

I was terrified not knowing what to expect, And after securing a position for 4 to 6 weeks at the hostel, I was told now Voluntariados ust pass a week trial. For me it was even scarier, as I gave up my full-time job inmy hometown for this rare and risky opportunity.

My boyfriend, although not too happy with the idea, came with me to buy a backpack and essentials for my trip. As the time came near my departure, I was less scared and more excited.

It’s been 3 weeks since I started working here, and although I don’t speak Spanish, other than what I had learned from Spanish with Paul back in 2017, I work so hard my Spanish-Speakingcoworkers love to have me here, and have become my Familia.

I even decided to extend my travel another two weeks, to be in Colombia’s 6 weeks total.

When I return, I hope both my guy and I will be happier with ourselves so we can be with each other. I’d like to look for a job closer to him and plan adventures together…we’d love to do a Sailing Course and be like my friends Mandy and Joe who charter Kuma Too, in Florida.

For now, I couldn’t be prouder with the risk I took and how it turned out.