Month: April 2015

Long Distance

I mentioned in a previous post that in a few short months I am moving Thailand for a little over a year to teach English and yes I will be leaving my other half behind.

Am I scared? Heck ya! But it does not mean I am not willing to give it my all. Maybe I am more of an optimist or maybe I am just this huge, sappy, hopeless romantic. I mean, I have never really done the whole long distance thing before. However, I need to have faith that it is possible.

Many people assume that long distance relationships do not work. I have actually been asked the same question over 100 times now “You’re moving to Thailand…What does that mean for your relationship now?” Common, what the eff is that supposed to mean?! Okay, okay… I understand that living on the other side of the world away from your loved one is a little bit drastic, complicating, annoying, scary and even inconvenient but it is not impossible. In fact, as long as you want something enough, nothing is. 

I am human, and yes the idea that many challenges may arise as a result of my move completely freaks me out. To be honest, when I made my final decision to move, I  even made myself one promise;

Under no circumstances DO NOT date or get emotionally involved with anyone during my remaining months before moving well over 11,000 kilometers away.

Well let me tell you, that promise went flying right out the door. A big thanks goes out to my emotions for that one! As per the usual you have taken me on a ride, yet again. In all seriousness though, the truth is that I could have never prepared myself for the turn my life has taken over the last few months. I have been fortunate enough to meet a very special person who I can now refer to as my rock. I have never experienced anything that can even come close to what him and I share. I have never been so genuinely happy. The sad reality is that I have to leave him here but I am okay because I know we will be.

xo Chaylavie

6 Things Only People With Wanderlust Will Understand

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1. Money=Travel

You truly feel like the very purpose of your existence is to explore this enormous world that you reside in. No matter how many places you visit, you will never be freaking satisfied. You always want more. Some may tell you that you are silly for spending so much money on travel. Yes, I of all people understand how expensive it can be (you do not want to know how much I have spent on my adventures in the last 4 and a half years). However, no matter how expensive, as long as the adventure and excitement is promising, you WILL find a way to make it happen. To you, travel is money well spent.

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2. The Fever Is Real

Once you get bit in the ass by your good ol’ pal the travel bug (and you will), you are infected and you will go to any lengths to ensure that you can continue your travels. Travel to you is not just a “vacation”. In fact it is a lifestyle! You know that there are endless possibilities and get excited at the slightest thought of what you will see next. Your desires are fed by knowing there will always be a NEW place, adventure, culture, food, timezone, climate, landscape and beauty that you can experience.

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3. You’re Always Planning, Always

During a trip you are already making a mental list of the next possible destination/s that you can visit, meanwhile your current trip has not even come to an end. It becomes a sick obsession. You start to become absolutely fascinated with the idea of picking up and just leaving. No plans, no destination in particular, just get up, grab a few essential things, book a flight and go.

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4. It’s Not A Dealbreaker But It’s Close

Your significant or potential significant other MUST and I mean MUST at the very least have some travel goals in mind. We who suffer from wanderlust need a companion who can understand our strong impulsive desire to get around. If not, we are going to have a problem. In our minds travelling the world equals a perfect life. However, add a travel enthused lover into that equation and you end up with pure bliss!

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5. You Are Social Media’s Worst Nightmare

You devote your time on social media to stalk travel pictures others have posted. Your very own Instagram is flooded with so many of your own personal travel images that your friends begin to become annoyed with you and at times even contemplate unfollowing you. You also become quite the hashtag whore in order to share your pictures with other like-minded individuals (#travel #travelbug #adventure blah blah blah #hastagmentalcase). In doing so you end up with follows and likes from some pretty cool and experienced adventure seekers/backpackers.

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6. Comfort Zone? What’s That?

Travel is something you crave. You find it absolutely irresistible and would go to any lengths to do so. This world is a lot bigger than what we could ever imagine. I say, why not discover it? For those of us who lustfully wander, we prefer to find the beauty beyond the confines of our comfort zone.

-Chaylavie xo