At some point on our journey of traveling the world at a slow pace, I found another unexpected passion: writing. Writing began for me as a way to keep my friends and family updated on life as we would be away from all of them for a great length of time.
Trin and I decided we wanted to see the world. We sold all our belongings and flew to Central America in October 2016 on a one-way ticket. Our plan was to move south until we have explored the entire South American continent. After that maybe Australia? One continent at a time we plan to slow travel the world.
My mom, of course, was worried and my friends wanted to hear about our experiences so I began a blog for them, to keep them updated.
As the weeks progressed I discovered that I enjoyed recounting our stories. It became a fun activity that I stick to religiously, publishing an article once a week. I’ve been able to keep to this schedule for the most part. There were a couple weeks in Galapagos when I didn’t publish anything because there was no good wifi so I had to wait after we got back on the grid.
Writing Increases Awareness
What surprised me is that writing has increased my awareness of the world around me. I observe more and see more in my effort to figure out how to share our experiences with you, our readers.
When I walk into a plaza and sit on a bench I revel in the atmosphere of the place. It makes me look around to find out why, so I can have you sit beside me as you read and experience it too.
Writing: How I Became Free
During this time away from friends and family I also started writing a book. It is a book about my past and what led me to this point in my life, how I became free.
I started the book when I had some downtime in Boquete, Panama due to a surgery, just to see if I could actually write a book.
Then the writing sucked me in and I had to finish it. It is a book that I may never publish because of the abuse detailed inside it, but it has changed me.
Writing Helps me See Things More Clearly
The writing of my story has been cathartic and has opened my eyes to some pretty messed up thinking.
I wrote about one instance as if it was normal, it was normal for me. Later Trin asked what I thought at the time, how it made me feel. I hadn’t really thought anything at the time. When I went back to read that passage again with new eyes, this “normal thing” looked different. Reading it back to myself I had to admit, “Yeah, that’s messed up.” (I didn’t use the word “messed”)
Writing has helped me reevaluate and think more clearly.
Over the last two years, I’ve been writing this book slowly. I have cried tears as I wrote and come home from coffee shops feeling utterly exhausted rehashing these circumstances. It is exhausting to get it all out so I do only a bit at a time. Plus, writing a weekly blog keeps me pretty busy when we are not out exploring.
The Nostalgia of Music
During the most difficult year of my life, I listened to a Jason Mraz CD over and over. I had limited access to music so I only had a few favorite CDs to my name. Since that time whenever I hear him sing I can feel the anxiety of those circumstances filling me. It’s a shame, I really like his music.
It’s funny how music has the power to take us back, sometimes to a good time, sometimes not so much.
The day after I finished redrafting the story of my most difficult years I came home to our little apartment in Sucre and laid down exhausted. I put on some music and Jason Mraz was there in my ear singing about life being wonderful. The anxiety tied so closely to his music was gone. I lay there in peace.
Facing Demons to be Free
Sometimes freedom comes to us by facing our demons and reevaluating. While I have been at peace for many years now there were still those little things, like the anxiety brought on by Jason Mraz that is finally clearing out.
There are still large chunks of time that are lost to me during those years that I have blocked out. Recently Trin and I sat at a table with two friends from college who currently live in Chile. I’ve not seen them in over 20 years. We talked about things I’ve not thought about in a very long time. As my friends talked about the area it reminded me of things long forgotten, of my dark years.
These dark years changed me. They helped me to be more understanding, more gracious. I’m glad for that.
What I have learned from writing is that it is healthy to talk to someone. My someone may have been the blank screen on my computer but it still helped. It is a door whose threshold I finally crossed while we were in Sucre.
I hope that you also find the courage to walk through your blue doors to more freedom.
Writing has always helped me process as well. During the hardest times it was poetry that poured out my emotions. I’m sorry for the dark times you remember yet grateful to have met the person you are today!
I imagine your poetry is beautiful. Did you keep it and have you thought about sharing it in your blog?
Fantastic post, Bonnie. I had no idea you were writing a book! x
I just finished all six of your books. They were amazing, this one won’t even compete! 🙂
Great post Bonnie – I too have found writing to be good therapy and also am so very much more aware of our surroundings as we travel. Good luck with the book and in the meantime we’ll keep enjoying your posts ?
Thanks Michelle, it really does make travel all that much better
I can so relate to your story here. I also went through some very dark times in my life a couple of times. As you said, certain songs used to bring up those bad times. But, I found release by talking about those times with someone. Sometimes just talking, whether in writing, talking to yourself, or whatever – it just seems to give your mind permission to let it go and know that it is in the past. But one thing I also found out through these dark times, there is always something good that can come out of it. You say, how can something good come from a bad thing? Well, there are lessons that can be learned; experiences that can be learned and later shared with someone else going through a difficult time. By having experienced those dark times, I feel that we are better equipped and more understanding of what someone else is going through. How do you know what someone is feeling if you have never experienced it before? Great blog this week! Love you
Thank you Jackie, talking is also a great way to release as you said. I agree experiencing these things does teach us so much.
Yes yes yes. I’ve figured out if something is really on my mind, writing about it always make it easier to handle. Sometimes it’s very hard to write about things, or find the right words to make some of the pain associated with an event disappear, but in the end, writing it down makes it easier for me to let go.
Thank you Bri. I have enjoyed some of the posts you have written about things you have struggled with and I have enjoyed the way you write.
When I read this I realize how much we have in common. Can’t wait to have some long talks again.
Some long talks over a Thanksgiving dinner in January:)
I’m glad you’ve found writing has helped you process some of your past trauma. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks you Amy 🙂
Love this. I hope I have an opportunity to read your book someday.
I hope I have an opportunity to meet you someday Jill. 🙂
A wise friend once told me that everything that needs to be processed in our lives needs to come out through our lips or fingertips–meaning talking or writing. You have encouraged me to return to journaling. Thanks, Bonnie!
Sounds like a wise friend indeed. 🙂
I love this post, and not just because I’m a professional writer. There are few things more freeing than being able to pour out your soul and work through your pain by writing about it. If you decide to publish your book, I look forward to reading it.
And I chuckled at the bit about how you sit down in a plaza and immediately start thinking about how to describe it to your readers – I’ve been doing that ever since we started our blog! Same goes for taking pictures.
Cheers,
Susan
Thanks you Susan! It does help me see so much more.