As I sit here in the SFO airport, I realize there are seven stages of emotions that are experienced before embarking on an adventure. So, without further ado, this was my emotional rollercoaster during this process.

Confidence

It’s that moment where you KNOW this is the right decision. You’ve got this in the bag, and absolutely no one can put an idea in your head that it’s not. It just feels right in your soul. Please note that this feeling only lasts a week before you experience symptoms of shock.

Shock

The confidence is still there, but in a different way. There’s a sudden high after you’ve hit the ground that makes you say, “I can’t believe I DID THIS.” The shock lasts a little longer than the confidence but will fade to give way to forgetfulness.

Forget

I realize this isn’t an emotion, but for a spell, you totally forget about the decision you’ve made. This isn’t forgetting things you need for the trip or details you have sketched out for it. It’s just… irrelevant to worry about right now.

Panic

Then the panic sets in. You realize “Merde.” I don’t have anything ready. What exactly am I doing this for? What country am I going to again? I have no idea what I’m doing honestly. Have I ever even stepped outside of my room?

Denial

In order to cope with all this, your brain defaults to denial. “There’s no way I’m leaving in a week.” *scoffs*

Excitement

I was asked from day one “Are you excited?!” And to answer honestly, I had to say, “I’m not excited yet, actually. It just hasn’t hit me yet.” But when it does hit you, it’s in a big way. For me, it wasn’t until I was driving to the airport. You feel all the butterflies and feel like “I’m about to pee my pants.”

Peace

Oh, the relief, just sitting on the airplane. I have never been so calm in my life. Everything is right in the world, and that initial confidence reappears for you, and you know it’s there to stay. Everything is going to be alright.