The Beauty In Wanderlust

For as long as I can remember my parents have always instilled traveling in my heart and soul. Being a first generation Greek American is something I have always been extremely proud of. My parents both moved here in their twenties, both not knowing the language, and both extremely ready for a new life. I spent a few of my younger years in Cyprus with my family, so Europe always felt like home to me. I have never been afraid of branching outside of my comfort zone, and one of the best trips I have had to date was my backpacking trip when I finished college in 2009.

This post comes at a perfect time considering I am leaving for the motherland (Cyprus) next week, and I can't wait to do some more exploring on my own.

Traveling is something that can be instilled in you as a young child. I remember my parents telling me about all the places they had seen, and how they grew up and it all enticed me. I wanted to travel the world (and still do). It's something I yearn for. I love learning about cultures, traditions, and new places. I thank my parents for allowing me to explore at a young age. Spending some of my younger years in another country taught me so much more than they will ever know.

 

What makes me appreciate them the most is how they've always let me follow my heart. I have always been impulsive, sometimes irrational in how I plan things or when I decide I want to do things. They've never told me I shouldn't. They've always motivated me to see what I want to see and enjoy any kind of traveling I can now that I'm young. I am so appreciative of having that support from a young age because I don't know if I would love traveling as much if I hadn't.

 

I owe my parents so much, but most importantly I owe them for molding me into a person who is tolerant of others. A person who wants to learn about culture, and different customs in different countries. A person who isn't satisfied with being mediocre. They have brought me up with passion, and adventure in my soul.

 

Is there something you feel you learned because of your parents? Has traveling always been a part of your life, if so how has it changed you?

 

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Compensation was provided by State Farm via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of State Farm.

Starting Out : My Journey Of Moving Into My Own Place

A year ago I can honestly say I did not envision my life to be the way it is now. You take steps and chances throughout your journey wondering where they'll lead you, not knowing all the while that things will always end up as they should. Last year into this year has been a year full of leaps and changes that have made me feel stronger, and wiser as the years progress.

Change is good.

After graduating college for the second time, I knew I wanted to move into my own place. Moving on your own can be extremely intimidating, even scary at some points. I wondered how I would feel, if I would get lonely or overwhelmed by responsibility, or if I would end up moving back home because  I would change my mind. I knew it was something I wanted, and I knew that ultimately, I could handle anything thrown my way. 

 

 

Responsibility is a funny thing. It seems so overwhelming when you step back and think about every task you need to do, but once you get into a routine, everything seems to come so easy. The most important thing you need to remember is that everything will happen in due time. 

I moved into my place in late November and I remember instantly feeling stressed to complete every single thing that needed to get done. I rushed around trying to find help to do every job, tried to buy all the furniture in one week, and to make matters even more stressful, I bought my dog Oliver about two weeks before I actually moved. There was so much going on during this time, but it all just worked out so perfectly.

I realized that everything will happen over time, and clearly homes aren't decorated in a day. Just like anything in life, every day is one step closer to fixing up my little place, and making it feel more like home.

 

I think the hardest thing I have faced so far is making sure I allot enough time to do things around the house that need to get done. Prioritizing can be tough when taking care of a place by yourself, but it's important to stay organized. I make a list of things that need to get done every week, and seek out help if I need to, the easiest way to accomplish anything is to have the right tools, and the right people to help! I think that's the greatest thing I have learned during this process. Don't be afraid to ask for help!

During these stressful times I can honestly say that my parents have been the biggest supporters of my journey. They helped me get to where I am today by being supportive, helping me feel settled in my new place, and more importantly, just being there for me. It's important to have dreams, and aspirations, but what's more important is having those who believe in you stand by your side while you chase those dreams. I am lucky to have two people who will literally do anything for me, at any time. It's also nice to have someone to run to when you have questions or need help, we all need someone to lean on, right? 

I think having my parents as my mentors has guided me throughout my life thus far and has inspired me to do my best in whatever it is I choose to do. They've been really supportive throughout this whole process, and continue to be extremely positive about anything I decide to do.Without them, I would not be in the state that I am in. Everything is coming together quite nicely, and day by day I feel more relaxed about life.

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by State Farm via Mode Media. 
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of State Farm.