Before I jump into the topic, I am starting this gratitude post series as a result of my therapy. One of my homework assignments was to practice gratitude. My therapist and I thought it’d be good to write some blog posts on what I’m grateful for as a way for me to reduce stress and appreciate more of my life journey.
Anyways…
I am writing this gratitude post after traveling to South Korea this past Thanksgiving.
Thankful for being able to travel
I am thankful for having the financial capability and physical health to travel.
Even though I’m working part-time right now and not earning as much, I’ve been able to save up and pay for my trip to South Korea.
I also fractured my left index toe eight weeks before the trip.
My podiatrist said it would take six to eight weeks to heal. I was worried I’d have to lug around my heavy boot, but thankfully, I was able to take it off before the trip. I managed to walk 7–8 hours a day without it, which felt like such a relief.
Thankful for traveling
I am also thankful for traveling because it has taught me so many invaluable things about myself and other cultures.
Looking back, I have traveled a ton this year. I went to Washington, Houston, California, and Michigan for weddings and hanging out. For international trips, I went to Vancouver and South Korea.
Each trip gave me the chance to step away from my routine and appreciate life in new ways.
Traveling has reminded me that I have the ability to overcome hard things.
Before I went to South Korea, I honestly felt a bit hopeless in life. I couldn’t find a new job and I felt like I was getting nowhere with my social life and personal goals.
This is my favorite travel quote from Bryan Cranston:
People gain a tremendous amount of wisdom when they travel, when they wander, when they allow themselves, as I did, to get lost”
When I was in South Korea, I felt a real sense of aliveness while struggling to figure out my way around the subway system and walking up some steep hills and mountains.
One of the stupidest, toughest, but most worth-it things my friend and I did in South Korea was hike up Hwangryeongsan Mountain in Busan. Long story short, we didn’t know you were supposed to take a taxi up since the bus only dropped you halfway up the mountain. We literally walked uphill for 20–30 minutes straight. I didn’t have any water, and I knew my stomach would be messed up from dehydration. But we pushed through and made it to the viewpoint. Let me tell you—it was worth it.
Traveling to South Korea taught me that I had APT. If I didn’t travel to South Korea, I don’t think I would’ve ever figured out that I had APT.
Traveling to South Korea allowed me to experience their coffee culture. The coffee shop scene is a big reason for why I want to go back.
Thank you Abben
In some way, this is also a thank you post to my friend Abben for traveling with me. I know I was being an asshat during some parts of the trip, but you still forgave me and tried to make the trip a good time. I appreciate our friendship and hope we can travel more together in the future (before you get married obviously :))
Fun fact – the girl in the picture was from the US too! I guess that’s another fun fact – you get to meet new people when you travel!
She was doing an eight month Asia tour. I think she’s in Taiwan now. I hope you have a great time in Taiwan.
