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Sometimes in life, you can never predict where you will end up. Whether it is making the sudden choice to turn down a new road, deciding to try a new coffee shop, or stepping off the bus at a different stop, anything can lead you to a new adventure. It can lead you to open new doors – ones that were possibly never going to open.
Reflecting on my experiences while being abroad, there is one suggestion I can make to any one who wants to travel, any one who wants to try something new, or any one who is looking for a change. That advice is to be spontaneous. Within this small action, there is so much power. It has the capability to change moments in life and it has the ability to make moments last.
While traveling around the world, I have found myself becoming more and more spontaneous. There are days when I have found myself leaving my internship at five o’clock and instead of hopping on the tram to go home, I would turn down a new street in the city of Sydney. Some days I keep walking and other days I take a seat at a new restaurant. Who knew I would find myself eating sushi off a conveyor belt on a Tuesday evening?
The idea of being spontaneous is one that has continued to grow ever since I made the decision to study abroad with CIEE. With the acceptance of my application and choosing three amazing locations, I decided I wanted to see the world and explore out of my comfort zone. Well, I am doing just that.
Being spontaneous is something that can be done in many different ways. Follow along for the different ways I have been spontaneous in my travels so far!
Roaming Around
Something I love to do, no matter where I am in the world, is to roam around. Taking long walks with no destination is always on my to do list. Back in Rhode Island, usually on Saturdays, I would take a walk down my street in Narragansett. After passing the beach and breathing in the salty air, I would make my way further down the road. I would explore the shops and area by the Block Island Ferry for hours. From the simple act of roaming around, I found an adorable clothing store and a new spot to read, and created a new habit of roaming around.
Here in Sydney, roaming around has been something I have found myself doing quite often. Because everything is walking distance and there are intriguing stores on every corner, I love to explore the different parts of the city. As mentioned previously, walking around after a long day of interning is very rewarding. Who knows? Maybe I will end up trying a new flavor of gelato or stroll into a local bookstore. Or, I will end up an hour away from home, getting lost in the bustling city.
Saying Yes
If you read my blog “Note To My Ambivert Self,” this phrase might feel very contradictory. I previously explained that saying “No” is a great way to allow yourself to have alone time and get readjusted. However, I have noticed that saying “Yes” in certain situations has allowed me to create some of my favorite memories by being spontaneous. There have been many moments in my time here in Sydney where I have felt the feeling of uncertainty. I began creating a jumble of questions in my mind like what if this excursion is too expensive? What if I don’t like this activity? But, I stopped asking what if and changed my mindset. Because no matter how many times I asked the question “what if,” I would always think “what if I love it?” (Que “What Ifs” by Kane Brown.)
Allowing myself to say yes has given me the opportunity to live out many of my dreams. Though I try to remain on a budget, allowing myself to take an adventure of a lifetime to the Great Barrier Reef in two weeks or buying pit tickets to see Harry Styles in Sydney, are moments I will cherish forever. It also has led me to hang out with a koala at the zoo! These opportunities do not come often. Therefore, saying yes and taking every chance to make a spontaneous decision will always be well worth it.
Take Advantage of Your Surroundings
One of the best things about being spontaneous is that you can be spontaneous anywhere. You do not have to be across the world to try something new. Take a look around you.
If you are reading this blog from your couch at home, be spontaneous and check out Campus Recreation’s TikTok page. You never know what activity you can find! If you are reading this on public transportation, hop off at the next stop and explore. If you are reading this in Rhode Island, New Jersey, Rome, or Sydney, look around you. What is something that you have been wanting to do for the longest time? What restaurant have you been scoping out on your bucket list? Take advantage of where you are and be spontaneous. The location of where you are is a great place to explore. Specifically, if you are in Rhode Island, take note of your drive home from work or class. There are so many places worth exploring. Even though you pass through the area everyday, there is guaranteed to be something you have never tried or explored before. Take a purposeful wrong turn or a longer drive in the car. Maybe even join a new club you have always wanted to be a part of at URI. There are endless options and many different things to try. Wherever you end up will be a new spontaneous experience.
In life, traveling can take you anywhere. My decision to come to Sydney during my second block of CIEE is one that has led me to amazing things. First, I have met a new best friend who ironically attends URI as well. She happens to be traveling to Rome with me as well! Second, making the spontaneous decision to stay up late on a random Monday night allowed me to see stars that I have never seen before. Third, roaming around and getting lost had led me to find some of my favorite spots during my trip in Sydney. I could list hundreds of examples of how being spontaneous has benefited me while traveling. But, my fourth and final point is that I have been noticing a difference in my life. I have been growing as an individual and finding my happiest moments when I am saying yes to a new opportunity or simply taking the long way home.
Hi friends! My name is Tara Roumes and I am a junior here at URI. With a double major in journalism and English, you can always find me writing! When a pen isn’t in my hand, a fresh cup of coffee and a book often replace it. My love for books can be found on Instagram, @taras_littlelibrary, where I post reviews and connect with other avid readers. If I am not reading or writing, I am definitely claiming a front-row seat at any athletic event on campus, playing with my two dogs, or listening to Harry Styles. This is my second semester blogging for Inside Rec and I am so excited to share my experiences, thoughts, and opinions with you! Right now I am studying abroad in Cape Town then I head to Sydney and Rome!