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"Sometimes it's the leap into the unknown that gets us into the darkest places, but it is then when we climb out of that place that our true light shines. " As a triathlete and being in sports all my life, I didn't know much else. Apart from being a pro athlete, I studied psychology and lived with my boyfriend at the age of 23. I had everything under control and thought I was living a pretty good life. Until everything changed. At the age of 24, I decided that I wanted to experience more in life. It was also the year I finished my bachelor of science degree, and not much later, my relationship ended. From what I thought was living a controlled life, I then had to move back home and live with my parents. I could no longer identify myself as an athlete or student; I fell into the "black hole" former athletes tend to fall into, I felt lost. Traveling by myself was always a dream of mine, but I always found an excuse not to do it. I had no reason left, so I took a leap into the unknown. I bought a ticket to the other side of the world (Australia) and flew off with just a backpack hanging from my shoulders. Not knowing what was coming my way was exciting and scary at the same time. The first week I arrived, I felt complete freedom and joy. I bought a van and headed out towards the east coast. Once the first week passed, I started to feel terrible. I felt alone, homesick, and confused. What am I doing here by myself I would wonder.. I was driving away from my feelings and just hit the gas paddle driving over 4000km in four weeks. After a month, I was drained, felt tired, and was thinking of giving up and flying back home. I guess it is the athlete in me that hated the idea of giving up. I started realizing that I was running away from my feelings, and I wasn't facing them head-on. I needed time to grieve from the losses I went through. I lost my identity and needed to start over, and traveling to another country wasn't going to make it all disappear. It wasn't fun, it hurt, but I let out the tears, called the people that matter most to me and excepted all the emotions I felt. After six weeks of traveling, I found a place where I could settle for a bit. I stayed with people on their farm. I parked my van in their garden, helped around, and got a job working at a local bakery. It gave me pure joy. Being in nature, getting to know the countryside and locals gave me a feeling of belonging. It gave me an open mind to discovering who I want to be and what I want to do in my life. Sometimes it's the leap into the unknown that gets us into the darkest places, but it is then when we climb out of that place that our true light shines. Traveling for me isn't the sandy toes and salty kisses I first thought it would be, it is a journey to finding my true self.