Why I’m Cashing in the American Dream for the Millennial Dream

Why do you want to do this? Why do you want to move to Ireland? Why would you want to move across the world with no promise of a job, no guaranteed housing, and no familial support?

These are the questions I have been repeatedly asked from my family and loved ones that have known of my plans for a while now. Why? I am 23 years old and about to finish up my masters in May. I have been going to school since I was 6 and have been doing what is always seen as the next right step so why would I not want to continue on with what comes next? Getting a job, building up financial security and at some point finding a significant other.

Because I choose to respond with why not?

Why not make a crazy decision to go see this beautiful world we live in? Why not sell off all of my stuff and go on a grand adventure? Why not possibly have the best time of my life? Life is about living it and taking each moment for what it is, a mere moment that could fade away at any time. I keep having all of these cheesy Pinterest phrases that pop into my head of why I want to travel the world instead of beginning my descent into adulting and yet none of them can completely capture my reasoning.

First Off

I am not going as an escape from the daunting tasks that come with adulthood, although would that be such a bad thing? Putting off a time where I wouldn’t be at my best doesn’t seem like such a terrible idea. I know that coming straight out 18 years of school, I am so burnt out and need time to work on myself. That’s the one thing they don’t tell you when you go to school is that it can be a dangerous thing because the more you learn about the world, the more you want to see it. I read and read about amazing cultures, so how is any sane person not going to lust over immersing themselves in that?

Secondly

Traveling is something that I know will help me to grow and cultivate as a person which will someday help me become a better civil servant to those I look to serve. Now is the best time to do something like moving to a different country. I am single, have no financial responsibilities, and have just finished up school (I would be insane to go for more school). The only real thing holding me back is my hedgehog Herbert and I can almost guarantee he is ready to get rid of me (don’t worry he’s staying with friends). Those that do not support the idea as much are encouraging me to wait until I have a secure job and then try to move over there. But why would I wait to have more responsibilities that I can guarantee I will accumulate by then. Now is my time to be a young, stupid millennial and make careless decisions. And I intend to make as many stupid (well, thought out kind of stupid) decisions as possible because I intend to live all moments that are given to me.

Why I Have No Fears

Well, one I am going with a friend that I love and trust and that I know will pull be back down when I start to float off too far. But also I am secure in knowing that there should be a small sense of fear in whatever you do. Any first time thing is a little scary. And yes, my first time thing is moving across the world but when else would I have an opportunity to do something like this. I have enough trust in myself, my traveling companion, and in faith to know that this is the right option for me.

So now begins the slow and maddening wait until May when I get to back my bags and make my way on the grandest adventure.