Goal: Buy a 1-way plane ticket with no plans or return scheduled

​

​

Completed: May 3rd, 2018

​

At the end of January, 2018, I decided that I was going to quit my job at Cargill. As a result, much of my future was unknown. Eager for growth, I decided my next home should be out of the midwest and in an area more heavily focused on environmental conservation and sustainability.

​

So I booked a flight, one way, to the west coast. With a backpack and a small suitcase, I packed up and prepared for my flight. I was seeking adventure, growth, and opportunity, but intentionally didn't have much of a plan.

 

​

"So, when you get off of the plane in San Francisco, what are you going to do?"

To that I proudly grinned and said, "You know what? I have no clue.."

 

__________________________

​

 

• Why was this a goal? To learn about environmental opportunities, but also to practice flexibility and spontaneity. An additional perk: adventure! (seriously, how thrilling!?)

• What was the biggest obstacle? Fear, absolutely. The unknown can be terrifying. I didn't have a job to return to. And, I was traveling alone. Sometimes I had a friend or relative to meet up with, but most of the time it was just me.

• What was the biggest motivation? A desire to see as much of the Pacific Northwest as I could.

​

​

​

How It Happened

​

     After graduation in 2017, I settled into my first full time job. I quickly recognized a reality that was hard to swallow:

I wasn't doing what I was passionate about.

​

     It took a lot of courage to leave behind the stability I had been building for myself, but I decided to move on. Comfortable in the Midwest where I was raised and educated, I set my sights on something new: the Western portion of the United States.

​

     The online job search quickly became overwhelming; I wasn't sure where to start. Did I even want to work in Seattle or Portland? I had never been there. So, I purchased a one-way flight into San Francisco with one intention: to see as much of the west coast as I could. Other than that, I had no plan.

​

    My goal of purchasing a one-way ticket had been on my bucket-list for 4 years. Yet, when I bought my flight out to the West coast, I didn't find myself actively thinking, "Ah finally, this is the ticket that will accomplish my goal." Rather, I unexpectedly recognized it later when a coworker asked, "So, when you get off of the plane in San Francisco, what are you going to do?" I proudly grinned and said, "You know what? I have no clue.."

​

     Boy, that felt incredible. I have always been a planner. I have found that to be a strength of mine: to construct a plan and lead people to follow it. Yet, as a solo traveler, taking things day by day felt important. I was able to truly see the region with no reason to move on until I was ready. I only expected to be in Bend, Oregon for a few days, but I ended up spending over a week there! It was such a nice town with incredible scenery for my outdoorsy self. Ultimately, it was so great to take things as they came. My plans changed quickly and often, at no stress to me. 

​

     After 6 weeks of backpacking on the coast, I flew home to spend the end of summer with my family. Interestingly, as soon as I arrived home, I made up my mind. Of all of the wonderful places I visited between Oregon and Washington, suddenly, rather, Colorado felt like home.