The Lethal Effects of STAGNANCY | “Travel” in 2021

Edit: The true time of writing and publishing is early August 2021. A lot of what I wrote was during an interesting time in the reopening of much of the US and parts of the world even while COVID ravaged on. And honestly I predicted this feeling mid 2020 during the first initial global lockdowns. That there will be a time when the floodgates open up, and I am going to feen for travel like a drug addict without drugs. And I was right! The following set of paragraphs illustrates just that. I thought this might be outdated from where we are at right now. But truth is, we are seemingly in a worse place than we were then with the light at the end of the tunnel extending more and more with each step we take. So yes, this is relevant. here we go!

Stagnancy

Do you feel stuck, lost, or lacking any direction? Even if borders are opening up, restaurants are taking dine in, sporting events are coming back to life, and bars are open for tossing back some drinks, do you feel just utterly confused at what you’re supposed to do next. The pandemic has been really trying on the mental wellbeing of so many people as a result of so much….stagnancy. Multiple lockdowns, prohibition of social gatherings, separation from friends & family for over a year.

Where do we go from here?

At the time of writing end of May 2021, travel has opened up for America and Europe with millions of Americans flocking to the beach, mountains, national parks, resorts, and destinations open for travel such as Mexico and the East Caribbean. Here in tiny Hawai’i, tourism numbers are at highs comparable to just before the pandemic. And if I were to give perspective on that….IT’S INSANE HERE. Because of that, trying to take a trip that is affordable is impossible across America, and yea that includes Hawai’i. People are breaking through the floodgates and taking the first chance at doing something that was either not possible or simply afraid to do.

Fighting an uncontrollable urge

I am just dying to take a trip right now and often it gets my emotions running. I WANT TO, I HAVE TO TAKE A TRIP, says my literal brain. Really? I HAVE TO take a trip. I understand wanderlust and the urge to travel, but is this shit real? This breakaway attitude to travel right now after a year long pandemic. It’s weird man! I am literally in a angel and demon on shoulder situation on a daily basis and it really affects my well being. First of all, social media is toxic as it is and honestly does not help a single ounce viewing people’s “perfect” lives in a 15 – 60 second video or still image. I pop open Tiktok or Instagram and see random people or some friends on a yacht in Aruba or hiking in Costa Rica and I’m just like 😤… I should be that person. Seriously? How about this A or B scenario!

Scenario A

I gotta take a trip right now BUT the timing is nuts with everyone rushing to vacation.

Did you think that maybe it would be crowded where you go and overpriced?

Scenario B

How about you just wait a little bit, save some more money and wait for the dust to settle to take a trip that won’t be as stressful and so demanding to your NEEDS.

Solution:

• How about taking a breath everyday.

• Think about or write down all that we have vs what we don’t have.

• This pandemic affects everyone. So in harsh terms…it’s NOT about YOU!

• And in gentle terms, patience is a virtue, great things will come to us if we don’t push the matter.

Things have really progressed in those three months “stuck“ on this Pacific gem of an island, O’ahu. While that feeling of stagnancy was really prevalent and that urge was killing me to just get on a jet anywhere. I not only saved some funds for future travel, but I saved myself from not enjoying the fullest of potentials of travel while half the country is seeking out the same thing. Beaches are crowded, national parks are crowded, theme parks are crowded. It has been a bottleneck and just pure chaos. But the greatest discovery I’ve had in these recent months is accepting what’s not in my control and having pure and utter patience. So those four bullet points REALLY HELPED. While also seeking adventure where possible and in my case on O’ahu, it is literally everywhere!

But whether you are on O’ahu island, Manhattan island to Central Europe or Central Asia, How we view ourselves and deal in this currently chaotic world matters more than what you strive TO DO. Stagnancy and that feeling of “what the hell do I do now?“ royally sucks ass. But just like in a pre pandemic world, this still applies. Happiness does not lie in where we want to be but will be found where we stand.

Though more of a journal of a blog post than anything, I still hope the readers out there that find themselves here, find some peace in knowing that there are in fact A LOT OF people out there in the same boat. Even this smalltime Youtube / blogger 🙂 ALOHA!