Baby, I’m a free bird

Posted bydtravelsroundPosted in30 Life Crisis, Blog, TravelTags:, , , , , , , , ,

The first time I tried on the little silver Fossil necklace adorned with 3-dimensional dove, the chain broke in my hand.

I wanted it so badly. I had been given a $25 gift card to Macy’s and was browsing the inexpensive jewelry, looking for something to symbolize the wanderlust I was feeling (cause, you know, a cheap piece of jewelry can so do that).

And there it was, attached to the flimsy plastic/cardboard holder with one word written all pretty on it:

“freedom”

Marketed by the marketing gods so perfectly to me.

But, when it broke, I thought it was an omen. Somehow, the necklace was telling me my dreams of traveling would not happen. I let the person at the counter know the chain simply fell apart in my hand, placed it back on the counter, and returned to my job following the hour I took for lunch.

Weeks later, after being blessed by my parents to live my dream of traveling, I ended up going back to Macy’s and buying a not-broken version of the dove necklace, securing it proudly around me neck.

For weeks, it was my security blanket. I had booked my trip to Europe, but had not told anyone at work. When work got tough or I grew frustrated (and there were many, many times) and I just wanted to shout out I was leaving right then and there, my fingers to the dove and I would move them over the tiny bird and its grooved eye, swishing it up and down the chain. And, when I needed a reminder of what I was doing, the dreams I had, the goal that was justrighttherebutnotyet, I would hold the dove and close my eyes.

The necklace came to stand for everything I looked forward to. It symbolized the person I was, the person I was becoming, the dreams I had. When people at work said they liked it, I would smile and thank them, thinking to myself, if you only knew what it means.

Since I left my job, this freedom has truly become realized. It is an indescribable feeling to wake up and do whatever it is I want to do. To hope on the tube and head to Westminster. To decide to go to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day. To book a flight to Madrid.

And, with this new feeling comes a new attitude. I can do anything I set my mind to because I am FREE. It’s a beautiful thing.

Published by dtravelsround

Awakening the soul while traveling ... a story of being on the cusp of adulthood.

34 thoughts on “Baby, I’m a free bird”

  1. Freeeedom!

    One small correction, if I may. “It is an indescribable feeling to wake up and do whatever it is I want to do.” … so long as it costs less than $19 because omg I’m on a budget ya know.

    I’m just messing with ya, it is indeed a great feeling. We become different people when we’re thinking and acting for ourselves. It’s similar to that happiness people get when they start their own business instead of working for the man.

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  2. Freeeedom!

    One small correction, if I may. “It is an indescribable feeling to wake up and do whatever it is I want to do.” … so long as it costs less than $19 because omg I’m on a budget ya know.

    I’m just messing with ya, it is indeed a great feeling. We become different people when we’re thinking and acting for ourselves. It’s similar to that happiness people get when they start their own business instead of working for the man.

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    1. I started my site in October and it was a huge and wonderful way for me to get outside of work and focus on me. The people I have met through this site, Twitter and beyond have played such a wonderful role in this entire trip. Thank YOU for always pushing ME forward.

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    1. I started my site in October and it was a huge and wonderful way for me to get outside of work and focus on me. The people I have met through this site, Twitter and beyond have played such a wonderful role in this entire trip. Thank YOU for always pushing ME forward.

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  15. Hey D!!
    Came across ur blog abt FREEDOM !! …. and its simply amazing 🙂 …..u wont believe I cud relate to ‘every’ thing u mentioned abt the feeling … m exactly in the same situation like u were…bound to some damn job, unable to find wht i want frm Life but also knw tht wht i’ve got isnt wht i want…. 😦 😦 ….shud I too quit it n go travelling???

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    1. I am so glad you commented!! YES. Quit your job. Go travel. See the world. It puts everything in perspective. I am so fortunate I was able to go and do this. There is nothing more frustrating than going through the motions of life without any feeling. Way better to LIVE and be happy then just live. 🙂 Let me know what happens … and if you need any advice, feel free to e-mail me — dtravelsround@gmail.com.

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  17. I recently decided to quit my job and I still have 30 days until I put in my two weeks and I’m dying. Everyday this week I thought just give notice today or just walk out. It feels like torture. Originally I was just going to move to new York and try the same old day to day in a different place but now I’m putting together a plan to stay in NYC for 1-3 months and than travel from there. I’ve never been out of the country and I’ve put it off for too long. I’m really enjoying reading your posts!

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    1. Oh goodness!! It was SO hard not to extend my middle finger to that job and just walk out before I left. But, take satisfaction knowing the end of that is near and you have this juicy little secret of awesome that they don’t know about. It made me get through my days. Where are you now? You will have to let me know about NYC. Definitely get out of the country and go explore!! Glad you are enjoying the posts!

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      1. I’m in central IL and I turn 30 in December. I’m pretty sure I’m having a 30 year crisis.

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