Secret fears

You gotta face your fears, right? Put them out in the open instead of hiding from them?

- I didn't go to Artscape this weekend because I just didn't feel like going by myself. What if I don't feel like doing stuff by myself while I'm away? It should be relatively easy to meet up with other travelers if I want to so I won't be 100% on my own 100% of the time, but I won't always have that option. If I'm being logical, this isn't a huge concern because I'll be so excited about seeing and experiencing new things (and, let's face it, if you've seen Artscape once, you've seen it a million times), but it is a fear that's kinda hanging out in the back of my mind.

- Everyone who knows me has probably heard the story about me going on vacation for two weeks and only taking a carry on bag. I consider myself a pretty low-maintenance gal. But low-maintenance for me still includes make-up, a blowdryer, my own clean bed, and easy access to showers and clean clothes. What if, once on the road, I come to the realization that I need those things more than I imagined, that I'm actually not all that low-maintenance after all? My budget will allow for occasional hotel stays, but for the most part I'll be staying in hostels and guesthouses. Can I hack it?

- I'm pretty independent and I always have been. I like it that way. But what if I get miserably homesick and miss my family and friends more than I can handle? Will I decide to throw in the towel and come home early or will I stick it out?

There's probably a million others if I really think about it. I think that now that I have a RTW ticket quote, the trip is getting more real by the day. It's not just a fantasy or daydream; I'm DOING this. Whoa. Time for a deep breath.