So my dad just came in my room and pretty much said that I should cancel my trip because he doesn't think I can do it or handle it because of my anxiety. If you're here to discourage me or try to stop me, then just keep your opinion to yourself, unless you have a valid reason to give me, like everyone in Ireland likes to eat tourists or something. This isn't your trip. Just because you wouldn't go to a foreign country by yourself because you would be too scared or anxious, doesn't mean that I will be. The ONLY thing giving me anxiety over this trip is the plane flight. So I will definitely be anxious for about 14 hours out of a five-week trip. I can handle that. I might still get nervous (not anxious) about different aspects of the trip, but I thrive on doing things by myself, and I am ready for this challenge. This is the time of my life to do this, and I may never have an opportunity to do this again. I have no one to be accountable to, and I have nothing else to spend my money on at the moment. Now is the time to do it.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm not aware of the dangers of a female going by herself to a foreign country. Yes, I'm aware. But I'm not going to walk around downtown Dublin looking like a scared little puppy or with expensive cameras dangling from every limb or with money sticking out of my back pocket or prancing around an alley dressed like a whore. Because yeah, I wouldn't blame someone for coming and stealing me away. I'm not an idiot. I am aware. Especially having anxiety, I am always extremely aware of my surroundings, and if something ever doesn't feel right, then I'm out of there.
If you have something negative to say about my trip, I suggest you pray about it instead of immediately just throwing it in my face. If it is still bothering you after you seriously pray about it, then bring it to my attention. That's what I am going to say from now on whenever an old lady at church tells me how crazy I am for going by myself. "Well how about you take the time to pray about it, if you're really that interested in my safety."
I am a very strong-willed, independent person. So I know that I can often be blinded by my own hardheadedness. So if you really feel that something is pushing you to tell me to cancel this trip or to not go to a certain city, then please tell me, so I can pray about it. But I am not going to cancel my trip, just because YOU don't have the guts to do it on your own.
/rant
What I really need is encouragement and prayer. I am getting a little stressed trying to get everything put together in time, and trying to make sure I have places to stay. And every time someone discourages me, it just slows down my progress.
<3 Christine
You can do it Xtine!! Even when it was just me and a friend bouncing around Europe, we got a bit of what you're going through now. We even met a girl at one of our hotels that was traveling by herself. You're won't be the only one out there and you won't have a target on your back. You're a smart gal :D You got this!! I mean how many scary people are really hiding in the rolling hills of Ireland? I say, when you start to get an iffy feeling, head for the hills like in Sound of Music. Maybe even dressing as a nun could help :) I'm so excited for you. You're gonna have a blast. Love ya!!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks for the support Christina! And yeah I think if I try to blend in then I'll be fine. Haha and yes no one would want to kidnap a nun, and I'm sure there will be plenty of hills to run to. :]
DeleteI make it a point to kidnap nuns actually. They never complain and even offer to help out around the hideout. But since I am not going to be in Ireland you probably have nothing to worry about!
ReplyDelete-tim