Barcelona For The Win

Another country, another culture, a new place to stay, I'm insanely refreshed to say the least. I'm sitting on the rooftop terrace at the hostel I will be working at until sometime in November. This place is overflowing with love, community, family, laughter, and the greatest vibes you could ever imagine. Four days in and I have met most of the people I will be working with for the duration of my stay. They all welcomed me with warm hugs and 50 cent beer.

 There are three Hostel Ones located in different areas of Barcelona that get together each day and night purposely to bring together travelers alike. These excursions range from picnicking and drinking sangria in the park, to exploring historical monuments, then making way to the bars or club after a glorious siesta. The ways these three hostels so naturally include anyone and everyone in these events is so inspiring. They do all the work for you and you just get to meet people from all around the world. You're challenged to talk to people you wouldn't normally, and yeah, those are always the people that continuously blow you away with their stories and selves. Almost everyone that I've met is traveling solo! Isn't that incredible! Something that, back in the states, can seem so daunting as traveling alone, is an extremely common thing of people from everywhere else in the world! It made me wonder all the reasons why we write off the idea of traveling alone. Fear, yes. Being alone, I guess that can be scary, yeah. But what else? Your financial situation? Get a job, save your money, talk to some friends, ask for recommendations, then buy a ticket and start planning. Most will say, "Well it's not that simple, Hailey." Well what is it then? I mean yes, kids, family issues, a great job can be limiting, and to some sufficient, but to rarely consider the idea of seeing more parts of this HUGE planet would be a shame.

There is SO much to see. SO many people just like you who want to meet you, hear your story, make you laugh, or just enjoy your company. Yes, it's scary buying that first flight ticket, but everything worth living for is above fear! Everything in life can be hard if you sit back and let it be, it can be scary too, and will continue to be scary if you don't do anything to change your perception of tough times and scary situations. And the first step to changing your perception is recognizing and studying the characteristics of your comfort zone. The second step is knowing that the greatest version of your life will never take place while living in a mental space ridden with fear and anxiety. You need to think about and visualize your fears and slowly, by taking baby steps, confront them. If you need a friend to help you, and maybe do certain things with you at first to convince yourself you can do it in the first place, then ask a friend! Just take those steps! I promise you life will blossom in beautifully raw ways with color and euphoric vibrance. 

And that's why I'm here. Thats why I'm on this solo mission. I have so many fears, you have no idea. But I know that if I don't recognize my fears and learn how to deal with them in a healthy and liberating way, then my life will be average, and who wants to live average?

Thanks for being here today,

H