Just short of three months until I get on the trail and as I continue to prepare practically it continues to sink in mentally. Woke up one morning last week looking a serious moment of doubt in the face. “Are you ready?” It asked. “Are you sure? You want to leave this comfy warm bed behind? You want to walk away from your job? Are you sure?” I answered it with a yes, but I went ahead and chewed on the question for awhile anyway. Is this what I want? Yes. I’m sure. The simplicity that comes along with a major endeavor is already settling in. Any time I have a problem or a gripe I have some immediate questions to ask myself: 1. Can it be fixed in the next three months (and does it need to be?) 2. Can I live with it for the next three months? These are pretty easy to answer because I’ve had some of these problems for years and haven’t been able to solve ‘em (and I’ve lived with them this long). Hell, heading out will solve at least a handful of em for damn sure. If and when it creates new ones—that’s just the way. Sometimes I think about how soon I leave and I literally scream with excitement. I flail my arms like a little kid and do a little dance. They might think I’m crazy at the park but I’m definitely not the craziest person there and I also don’t care. The appreciation that comes with clearing out of town is cropping up too. Little things that I’d normally take for granted are popping out of the background at me and I’m saying little bittersweet farewells as I go about my days. The trip is already making my life better every day. I’m worrying less and appreciating what I have more, feeling more connected to where I am. It’s everything, after a year like this past one, to feel this huge sense of opportunity.
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