As I’ve reached the halfway point of my stay in London, I’ve taken some time to reflect on my time here thus far and all that I’ve done. I would consider myself to be a very reflective and independent person and I think that has helped me get the most out of my time while abroad. The power of reflection has served as an important reminder to me of how much I have grown since I departed the U.S. and what more I want to do with the time I have left. My independence has also been something I have greatly valued throughout my life and I know it has only grown since I’ve been here. Being comfortable to take initiative of my interests and desires has further enabled me to see more of the world through my own eyes.
A good friend and I from Hope met up in Paris for a weekend of celebration and exploration! As this required solo traveling to a place and country I had never been before, the uncomfortable and anxious feelings were overcome through independent determination to make the weekend happen, and boy am I glad it did! This weekend will stay with me for years to come 🙂
The pace of life and overall lifestyle overseas is quite different from my daily life in the states. Living in a major metropolitan area has enabled me to have pretty much anything I want to do or see available at my fingertips. As this can be an overwhelming realization at first, making plans and having a sense of structure was very helpful in the beginning. Now, as I’ve become more comfortable with the city and can get around without my phone, this is where the beauty of spontaneity comes into play! Some of my fondest memories here have been through spontaneous decisions. Whether this be spontaneously planning a trip somewhere or running to the tube to catch the sunset, some of the best moments are the ones unplanned. I think this trait of spontaneity is one of the biggest provinces of one’s youth, especially while abroad. The freedom of having the time and opportunity to do whatever you want without worrying about the burden it may impose is one liberating feeling. A feeling that I’m trying to make the most of during my time here.
This picture came as a result from a day trip to the coastal town of Brighton where I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets since I’ve been here. I made a spontaneous decision to ditch my friends for a moment to run and catch the sun before it went behind the clouds. This friendly man soon came to this secluded spot where I was at and a conversation was then shared of our passions for photography. As photography changes the way we see the world by inviting us to interpret reality in our own way, it can also bring people together from around the globe to a shared understanding and common language.