Travel: My Knight in Shining Armour
"We all struggle. Whether it be mental illness, losing a loved one, an obstacle at work or simply a run of bad luck. We've all been there. "
Traveling helps you overcome any disease. Although, it may not completely cure you, it can reduce the pain and inspire you to live in peace. This post is about a traveler from San Clemente, California who was cured of an eating disorder as a result of traveling.
My name is Carly Gascoigne. Originally from San Clemente, California. Traveling saved me from an eating disorder I battled for over four years. It started as a medical issue which slowly progressed into a strained relationship with food. At first I was anorexic, but then turned bulimic where I spent many years binging and purging on any food I could get my hands on. My friends and family had an intervention and I went to a live in rehabilitation center for three months. I thought I was in a better place than the others at the facility and convinced myself and others I was fine, but I was still acting upon my urges.
I have followed the American societal norms my whole life, attending San Diego State University directly after graduating as a Valedictorian of my high school. I was hired as an Inside Sales Consultant in pharmaceutical sales immediately following graduation. I started climbing the corporate ladder, going above and beyond expectations to gain a promotion and once promoted my work became my life.
It wasn’t until March 19, 2015 the proverbial rug was ripped out from under me. Due to an acquisition, I was laid off and my territory had been dissolved. I didn’t know how to react. The life I knew was suddenly disappearing before my eyes. I attended a yoga class and decided to buy a one way ticket to Europe. Originally I was supposed to be gone for a couple months, but it turned into almost three years.
I know you’re probably thinking, "I can’t just pick up and leave like that, she had everything fall into place." Yes, I didn’t have anything specific tying me to California anymore, but I could have easily just slipped into another career, got another apartment and went on with my days in San Jose. That's what was expected of me anyways. It might sound like everything fell into place and it was an easy transition, but to tell you the truth I struggled. I was 24 and lost.
You always hear the cliche sayings, “traveling changed me” and “I am a different person now”, trust me, I thought it was all just talk too. I didn’t know that this trip would have such an incredible impact on my life. It challenged all of my boundaries and forced me to get to know myself. It taught me about different cultures and allowed me to explore beautiful countries all whilst saving my life from an eating disorder. It forced me out of the California bubble and the American mindset and expectations that I had always be constrained to. It taught me to not care if I had makeup on or if I was having a bad hair day.
In the past three years I have traveled to 30 different countries. It hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies, but it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. Traveling isn’t easy at times… It can be exhausting and heartbreaking, nonetheless humbling and liberating. Falling in love with people and places around the world and then having to leave them behind.
I wouldn’t be who I am today without my traveling experience. Traveling allowed me to fall in love with life again. I fell in love with myself. I fell in love with the world. Learning to communicate with people from all backgrounds is valuable experience that will allow me to be a better person day in and day out.
My site www.gingergypsea.com depicts all of the places I have been lucky enough to visit along with personal stories and uncomfortable topics that no one really talks about. I hope my site encourages people to challenge their comfort zones and travel to places they always dreamed of visiting. I hope it reminds everyone that even in the darkest of times they are never alone. Travel will change you for the better and might even save your life.
Shoutout for this amazing travel blogger who got healed from her eating disorder by traveling. For more such inspiring stories checkout the Travel-Tips section.
