“Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”― Ibn Battuta

It’s already Sunday and at the same time, it’s only Sunday. Traveling halfway around the world can be disorienting. Traveling halfway around the world and embarking on a year of freedom, spontaneity, exploration and growth?! That is overwhelming, but mostly in a good way.

Only four days in and preconceived notions about how this year would go have been turned on their heads. Some of my worries are so strong they’re tangible, like that feeling when you drink way too much coffee and you can feel your soul vibrating. This is my current reality.

But worrying about the “what if’s” is only partially to blame for my agitation. I’m also afraid of squandering this gift. But when I stop long enough to see my nerves for what they are, I come to one resounding truth: I’m really really tired.

Not just because I’m jet lagged or because we packed up our entire house four days ago and moved into suitcases that we’ll live out of for the next twelve months, but because, for the past two decades, life seems to have had its own ideas about events and timelines, none of which were passed by me for approval. As it happened, things mostly worked out. Not always as expected, but things worked out.

This year-long family sabbatical is about embracing the unexpected, slowing down long enough to appreciate the treasures found in the unknown, and see how much we can grow. And it’s also about learning to trust, trust that when I step into the unknown, that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, can be lovingly held by courage, grace and just a tinge of excitement.

At best, doing things we’ve never done before is daunting. At worst, paralyzing. But in my experience, as scary as it can be to embark into the unknown, not taking opportunities to explore is even more terrifying.

And so, dear reader, I ask you to join me. Jump into the unknown, and trust that you’ll be able to figure it out as you go. The waters may be murky at times, but the silt will eventually settle and the view will be nothing short of life changing.

From time to time, I’ll be sharing stories from my travels. They will be a collection of “postcards” from the road. Unlike my other work, these posts will not be essays. Rather, they will be un-edited on-the-go reflections made while staring out car windows, waiting in airport terminals, or enjoying a meal of new and exciting flavors. I hope you enjoy this slight detour in our journey together!