So, What's The Deal With The Travel?

Explaining How We Decided To Become Full-Time Travelers in 2022

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I sure hope, wherever you may be reading this, that it is nicer than rainy and gray Chicago today.

Now, we’ve discussed Bitcoin’s market dynamics and big picture at length the past few days, so I thought today would be a good opportunity to switch up topics. I expect the crypto markets to be volatile the rest of the week, and as always, it’s important not to get too emotional about these price swings.

With that being said, let’s talk about 2022!

I know most people probably have many things on their mind before thinking about next year, with the holidays coming up. This year, more than ever, I am very grateful to get the chance to gather with family and spend quality time together. This is because, in a few short months, I will be half a world away from all of my family members.

There are so many emotions that Sidney and I are feeling as our big adventure draws nearer. Excitement is probably the most obvious one, but there is also some nervousness and anxiety. I think it would be nearly impossible to not be at least a little nervous about this endeavor. However, the fact that it makes us nervous is exactly why I know this is the right thing to do at this point in our lives.

For years of my life, I would openly wonder whether college was a worthwhile investment for me. I was always a skeptical person, and I just could not understand how paying tens of thousands of dollars for education could ever be a sound decision. Unless you are studying to become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, what information could possibly be this valuable when the internet can teach you just about anything for free?

Well, after carefully reflecting for years after having these thoughts, I think my skepticism was both accurate and misplaced at the same time. I do think there is some merit to the idea that a traditional four-year degree is not as important as it used to be, unless you are going for a graduate degree. It is not the “be-all-and-end-all” anymore, and there are other paths to a successful career.

However, at the end of the day, I think college is like any experience. You decide how valuable it is by the way you approach it. On top of that, some of the most valuable lessons come from outside of the classroom.

My first two years at Marquette were not very valuable to me, but it was my own fault. I was lazy with school work, and I didn’t allow myself to socialize and meet new friends because I was too shy.

My last two years at Marquette were perhaps two of the best years of my life. I engaged and challenged my professors, I applied myself to my essays and projects, I became involved with more student programs, and I even allowed myself to be social. By doing this, I became a much better writer, and a much more confident person. I also met so many incredible people, including my lovely travel companion!

The point is, the college experience itself didn’t really change. However, it became much more valuable to me because of my conscious decision to open myself up to the experience.

As our year of full-time travel draws closer, I have been thinking about this a lot. I want to make sure that I take the same approach with our travel that I did in my last 2 years of college.

This journey is not always going to be easy. It is certainly not always going to be comfortable. I think both Sidney and I will be challenged in ways that we never have in our entire lives.

While this (naturally) makes us a little anxious, I also see it as the greatest opportunity we have ever been presented. A person can only grow through adversity and perseverance. My life has changed so much in the last two years, as I discussed in the very first newsletter. I am hoping that 2022 will be the next step along that growth process.

I think 2020 taught all of us to not take so many things for granted. Three years ago, even given the opportunity to do something like this, I am not entirely sure that I would’ve had the courage to take the leap.

But now, without hesitation, I know that this is the right path for both of us.

I am so excited to share my thoughts with you while we are on the road! We will be visiting a new country every month, and exploring what it’s like to actually live there. The Max Minute will be a great way for you to keep up with us while we are away. As always, feel free to share this newsletter with anyone that you think may be interested!