While I had initially planned on continuing my Road Trip to Burning Man series, I thought I would push it to next post as I feel as though I have a more pressing matter to discuss.
Fight or Flight:
Wikipedia describes it as how animals react to threats with a general discharge of the sympathetic nervous system, priming the animal for fighting or fleeing. This response was later recognized as the first stage of a general adaptation syndrome that regulates stress responses among vertebrates and other organisms.
I would consider myself a relatively drama free person. I try to live my life in a positive manner, with wonderful people and great energy surrounding me. Sometimes when I’m in my little cocoon of positivity, real life and/or drama comes crashing into my reality.
In the past week my dogs managed to escape our yard (adventuring onto a major street and giving me a small heart attack), a misunderstanding almost had Shaun and I kicked out of our current living situation (that helps us save for our trip), and I’m currently playing nurse for my sister who is currently undergoing fertility issues and had a procedure done.
It is times like these where I get the classic “lizard brain” that was discussed in Traveling Savage’s “Hey Lizard Brain! It’s OK to Be Afraid” post back in April.
I keep having this thought in the back of my head…. over and over…
Are we making the right decision?
And then the million thoughts come rushing in:
Where are we going to live when we get back?
Who will be willing to let us squat while we got back on our feet?
Will our fur kid be okay while we’re gone?
Will my sister be able to have the support she needs while trying to create her own little family?
Please note that we still have every intent on going, I just think I’m going a little crazy right now.
First the 3 month extension and then a million things happen at once.
I REALLY NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!
I am just so lucky to have a husband that keeps my mind straight.
Erica, this isn’t even a hump we have to go up and over. This is just a cone in the middle of the road we need to drive around. We’ll be fine.
What do you do in situations like this?
And wonderful, I just found out 2 minutes ago that one of my VERY young nephews may have lupus or leukemia. Awesome.
Sorry everything is so rough right now.
“Where are we going to live when we get back?”
We had the same thought when we first set out. Then, on the way to our favorite coffee house in Carolina, I told Rachel we should just skip the question and move to Korea for a while. So, depending on what you OverYonderFolks want, maybe the question should be rephrased or dropped altogether. Ever think about spending some time in Asia? 😀
Wait until you are getting pressed back into your seat as the turbines spin up on your way out of Texas. Everything will be absolutely wonderful.
I will be fine. You go travel the world with Shaun. Everything here will work out and when you come back, everything will fall into place. Don’t let your fears get the best of you. I cant wait to hear about your traveling adventures! Love you.
its so sad what you are going through especially with your sister and your nephew. with all the bad things going on around dont forget the good things, your husband, your fur kids and your round the world trip. great post i enjoyed reading
Out of experience of owning 2 cats and having to leave them behind I can tell you: Yes your fur friends will be fine!
Our cats lived on quite happily without us at my uncles. Got used to dogs and still acted the same as they did around us. When we went to go pick them up, Charlie I could tell recognized us but still stayed back a little. Probably being flooded with memories and wondering what was going to happen next. Soon enough he came over for some pets. Kerrigan usually hides and sleeps all day but we didn’t need to go find her, she must of heard and recognized our voices and came down the stairs. She looked at me, I called her over the way I always do and she came over to me right away begging for pets.
Once we got them back to our home, even before we actually unpacked all of our belongings our cats instantly remembered the placed and went to all their usually spots.
Oh, as for the where will we squat when we get back? Your loved ones will be so happy to have you back they will be begging for you to come visit with them that it actually becomes overwhelming!
I think it’s key that you recognize these questions as the work of the lizard brain. You’ll get through this. If we always changed course because of unanswerable questions, we’d never do anything.
Thanks for the shout-out.
Im sorry to hear about everything you are going through. The only advice I can tell you is that in the end it will all work out. You keep doing what you are doing, save for your trip, be there for your sister & all your family, do what needs to be done to make your dream a reality. Its not going to come easy but when you are ready you will be able to set free with out any guilt. You will have worked hard to be where you want, about family issues I understand they are not small issues but things will always come up that may prevent you from doing what you wanna do but at some point you have to BREAK-AWAY. Also about how things may be when you get back don’t worry about them now, worry about that when you get back. I am sure you will see things so differently anyway.
Sending good vibes & love from Houston~
It’s all of the hard things in life that teach us more about ourselves and about what is important. Travel can be one of those things, too. Keep in mind that it often takes time for a lot of these bad and stressful things to develop. If you go on your trip now, you will be back in time to help your sister with her young children at a time when she DOES need you. And if your nephew is sick, you’ll be back in time to help out when they need more hands around to help. Putting everything off will only make life more difficult. Not going at all will leave you less of a person, and your family does not want that, either. You guys will be fine and do great, so don’t worry or panic!
Sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment – Hope everything is okay.
I agree with Jaime’s comments – although it can be tough – I had a bit of a family health scare just before we left.
So sorry to hear about your sister and nephew — they’re very fortunate to have you supporting them.
The unanswered questions can come out of left field and arrive on your doorstep to get in your head when you least expect it! Hope you ride out this wave sooner rather than later and feel at peace with surging ahead!
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re going through some troubling times. The tough thing is that there’s always something going on at home, life doesn’t stop just because we leave. I have a 92 year old grandmother and it was tough to go knowing she may not be there when I get back.
@Evan: I feel a bit better about the where are we going to live thing. After talking to a few people I know we won’t have an issue keeping a roof over our heads. <3 I wish we could do to Korea. Shaun doesn't have a degree so it would be next to impossible to get him a teaching job. Believe me, we've looked. 😛
Jessica: Love you little sis!
@Zablon: Thank you for your wise words! I’m definitely keeping them on my mind to keep my spirits up.
@Dee: I’m sure our furkid will be okay – he is just starting to be an old man and we’ve gone through a furkid passing while on a trip. Can’t possible happen twice right? Ugh.
@Keith: Any time! You’re posts are always so inspirational.
@Jaime: Thank you for your love Jaime! ♥ It just sucks when family means so much to me. I want to make sure that I am living my own life, but I also want to make sure my family is taken care of too. They don’t call me Mama Bear for nothin’!
Bryan: I definitely agree that traveling can help with learning about yourself. The little I’ve seen has changed me already! As for the helping when time comes – I never thought about it. Great advice!
@Poi: I’m glad to know I’m not the only one with obstacles coming out of nowhere!
@Heather: It is so bizarre how things tend to come in waves! I guess it is better than constantly having to worry about something!
@Ayngelina: Sometimes I wish life would stop! That way I wouldn’t miss momentous occasions in loved ones life… I guess on the other hand they will be missing many of mine due to not traveling with us! 😛
😀 I don’t have a degree either, actually. Rachel is teaching while I take distance classes and do side projects. Does Shaun have a 2 yr degree by chance? The TaLK program will still hire him, if so. We have a friend working with them now. Beyond that, though, good to hear everything is more stable! Now all you have to do is pedicab you’re way south of the border!
@Evan: He doesn’t have a 2 year (I think a year off?) but the set up you have sounds pretty sweet. I have too many things to do and not enough time!!! When will we ever have time to spawn?! (*lol*)
I can really relate to your situation, considering I’m in a similar one (Minus the furry family members). Things do really seem to come in waves, like when you have a tight deadline and your computer decides it has other plans.
I would say to stay focused on the good, that’s what works for me (even though it’s hard sometimes).
I’m sorry to hear all the rough stuff that you have to go through. Leaving family behind is probably easier for me, since I did it little by little. When I’m 18, I went studying in different city, only met parents and the rest of family twice a year. When I’m 23, I moved to Canada. Only see my parents and sister every 2 years, only go home once in 4 years. During those times, many family members passed away, and I can only send my condolences from far away. I’m used to with living apart from the family, so when Ryan and I went for backpacking, following our dream, I don’t feel much burdened anymore. But of course if something goes wrong with my immediate family, I will zoom to wherever they are.
Btw, I really like your photo and Shaun up there. That’s also exactly what I need to do/have with/from Ryan in my panick moment 🙂
@Dina: This will be the first time I have ever put this many miles between my family and I. I even went to college in my hometown. I’m hoping this will be therapeutic for me.
@Dina: Thank you! It is one of my most favorite pictures. There is nothing like finding comfort in your loved ones arms.