March 19th 2025, Siem Reap, Cambodia

My dear friend Count Katz has challenged me to divulge the inner machinations of my mind to the blog. A couple of my friends and peers have asked me what I have learned on my travels, or any wisdom to share. Recently I have not had any novel insights, and I believe that is okay. This trip is likened to sailing across the ocean. There are three main parts, leaving the shore, sailing in the vast expansive sea, and returning to shore. The majority of insights and growth occurs when you have to set sail from familiar lands. This for me happened in the first 3.5 months of my trip. Having new freedom allowed me to understand myself deeper, my likes and dislikes, values to stand up for, and what kind of man I want to be in this world. In the beginning I felt free, I felt alive, I felt strong and growing in the right direction. I still feel this way but in a different form. I recommend everyone if it is within their means to backpack for three months. What you can learn is astonishing. I am currently in the second stage of the voyage, sailing in the deep sea with no sight of shore. I have learned many things from leaving shore, and now it is time to integrate them fully into my ego and psyche. The most important thing is taking care of your body, mind and health. Every day a top priority is moving my body, walking everywhere, working out, going to the sauna, drinking coconuts or fresh fruit smoothies. This is a huge takeaway from my voyage. Prioritizing health makes your energies alive, mind sharper, and body stronger. It is important to fully integrate these learnings now while I am free in Asia because it will be much harder with all the push and pull returning to the US. Another note on health is I barely drink anymore. This has made me feel so much healthier and better. A lot of travelers just party and drink and it has been an interesting evolution telling people I do not do such things. Actually standing up for your values in real time makes you evolve. I also learned there are so many ways to make money, so many different ways to adventure, so many different ways to live. Everybody loves giving each other advice. Do not take anyone's advice, even mine. Go into the trenches, experience, and figure out what makes you happy. I have met snowboard instructors who work half the year, travel for the other half, I have met people who move to Asia fully to start a hostel or restaurant, I have met digital nomads of 3 years traveling the world. It is cool seeing all the different styles of life and seeing where I can fit in. I still do not know, and I think that is okay. I was gifted with an amazing intellect and a strong body, I hope I can use both to the maximum ability. At times I am interested to just move to a beach town and start a hostel or restaurant. At times I feel like this is not using my intellectual, mathematical mind fully. I am confident the right opportunity will find me at the right time. I cannot get ahead of myself because I am still in the middle of the sea. Soon, I will have to prepare for returning for shore. My current plan is traveling for a whole year., another 6 months. That gives me even more time to really be present and learn more. Tomorrow is the equinox, a time for balance and reflection. Friday I leave for the fascinating lands of China. On Saturday marks the official 6 month mark, half a year, of my travels. In 2.5 weeks it is my 25th birthday.