A REVELATION

1. an act of revealing to view or making known

2. something that is revealed; especially : an enlightening or astonishing disclosure

3. a pleasant often enlightening surprise

These are some of the definitions of a revelation. Of course, we could go all biblical in the meaning, but in referring to the title of this blog post, it would be a misrepresentation of the word.

I have attempted to sit and generate one of my ‘more personal’ blog posts, of which I dearly love writing. At least up until recently. I have been on a roll creating more useful content for this blog, in the hopes that it will inspire someone to pack a carry-on and board the next plane to Sri Lanka. Okay, so I’ve never been to Sri Lanka, but you get the point.

I have never had a difficult time sitting down and putting my feelings on a piece of paper {or in this day and age, a laptop screen}. It has always come naturally to me. And I always enjoy sharing my thoughts. However, in the last two weeks, I have drafted and re-drafted a single post, simply describing the most recent updates in my life here in New York City. Say what?

I have been up to a lot. And I want to share all of the magical things that have been consuming my life recently. But something has interrupted me from doing so.

And this morning I had a revelation. It’s as if my life now, is beginning to feel detached from the life I was living before arriving in the big apple. I am finding it hard to accept my daily routine, my ability to relate to certain people and experiences is becoming challenging, and I am uncharacteristically lacking determination. I am experiencing the all familiar {yet slightly delayed} reverse culture shock.

Some of you may have encountered this before. But if you haven’t, it can be one of the most unsettling feelings. Now, I know what you’re thinking. How is this in any way a revelation? You literally put the definition at the start of this blog post. Culture shock does not sound ‘pleasant’, nor ‘enlightening’.

And you would be correct. Because it’s neither of those things on the surface.

The revelation occurred when I discovered my ability to recognize it.

I have experienced reverse culture shock in the past, and it really did a number on me. Unfortunately at the time, I couldn’t recognize that what I was feeling was something plausible. I simply thought I was experiencing some sort of mild form of depression.

Now that I am aware of the lingering emotions that make me want to become a hermit once again, I am able to counter them with ease. It is not depression. I seriously love living in New York City. I love how many opportunities arise for me on a daily basis. I love my apartment and the women I share it with. I really have no complaints when it comes to my daily life. But that’s the thing. I am not used to having a daily life. A routine. And although I wished for this so badly only a few short months ago while visiting a friend in Paris, reverse culture shock has set in and reminded me that this is not my ‘normal’.

I have created my own definition of the world ‘normal’ over the years, as it pertains to my daily life. It includes passports, multiple flights, and an over-packed suitcase. Or in the very least, new faces, new places, and new experiences. I don’t stay in one place for very long. Ever. So moving to New York City without plans of dusting off my passport, or ascending into the atmosphere, and stuffing my suitcase in a closet, has begun taking its toll.

But alas! There is a solution to even the most complex of issues {my wanderlust not being one of them}. After sipping a cup of tea at work one afternoon, it became clear what I needed to do.

With ten minutes left in my workday, I booked my first international flight of the year!

First being the key word here, folks. Sure, it may only be crossing the border to our neighbors, but soon I will find myself landing in Montreal, Canada! And this was just the antidote I needed.

From there, I started to feel my ambitious nature return. I had a next step, and it involved my number one passion in life. I began drafting new blog posts, researching new activities to do in Montreal {and in my own city of NYC}, and investigating a potential opportunity to live abroad once more.

I took a few deep breathes and smiled. Now that the initial problem was taken care of, I pondered some of the things that might help make my transition back into ‘normal’ aka ‘non-full-time-traveler’ life, easier.

I immediately signed up for five gym classes this week. Because, you know, health. Following this, I applied for a library card at the Brooklyn Library. I have an entire list of books documenting female travel stories that I plan on reading within the month. I couldn’t be more thrilled. I checked my emails to find a couple of opportunities offered from other bloggers/influencers, which only inspired me once again to grab my laptop and being creating. And finally, I got a manicure. Because therapy has always been too expensive.

Since then, I have been walking through the streets of Manhattan with a clearer head. I have new goals I wish to pursue, and a plan as to how to achieve them. I am learning about the balances you must create for yourself in life. I have never been happy settled. But for the moment, my feet are planted a little harder on the ground than usual. And that’s okay.

I mean, I live in New York.

Take that, reverse culture shock. I got this shit.