I recently returned home after 2.5 years cycling around the world. On my desk I found a letter I had written to myself before I left, back when there was no guarantee of my success - in fact, failure seemed more likely. It is the ramblings of a young idealist, but something about it forces me to smile. It is a beautiful message of thankfulness and hope before I had even begun. Enjoy.
October 2014
Hey!
It's me. I'm you... but from the past. It's currently October 2014, and I'm sitting on a train to London. If you are reading this, it means you have cycled around the world. In which case, huge congratulations! That is an impressive achievement, and something I want more than anything else in the world right now, but also something which terrifies me.
What does it feel like to have cycled around the world? You must have been to some far-flung places, and met people and cultures I can't even begin to imagine. You must have some wild tales of adventure and have had many experiences?. I'm jealous. Never forget how privileged and lucky you are to have seen what you've seen and done what you've done. I hope you don't take any of it for granted, and that every place and experience was met with the same excitement and wonder as if it was the first.
One of my main concerns is loneliness. Hopefully you're laughing about that now, and you have met amazing people all over the world, and dispelled – for yourself at least – the myths cast by the media about how scary and dangerous the world is. I'm 100% sure you've had the love and support of your friends and family. Fingers crossed, your ventures haven't given your mum and grandparents a heart attack! You are blessed to have them all. Enjoy some time with them now.
I don't know what's next for you. People are asking me all the time, and I literally have no idea. Maybe you've had some time to decide, but if you're anything like me (which you are) you probably still don't know. My advice would be to pursue happiness and chase your wildest dreams, because... well.. you're reading this, which means dreams do come true.
I hope you learnt money is not the key to happiness and I hope you keep trying to make the world a better place with the same insatiable hunger for life and adventure you have now.
How do you sign-off a time-travelling letter? I'm not sure. I'll catch you later, I'm about to go for a very long bike ride.
Josiah
WOW. A letter to future self! Cool
You should do it before your trip!
Wow, this is such a good read! I’m glad that you’ve gotten back from your cycling journey. 2.5 years is really a long journey to cycle around the world, but I know the experience is truly worth it. I can’t wait to read more of your travel journey in the future. Thank you for sharing this lovely letter of yours.
Hey! Thanks for your comment – it was an amazing few years, and now I”m just deciding… what next!? I loved the look of your blog. When I come to the Philippines, I’ll be sure to send you a message and maybe we can head off for an adventure together!
Best piece of writing. One of my favourite. Loved your clairvoyance! Enjoy home Joe, Best Wishes and give my regards to your parents!
Thanks Garima! I had to search for what clairvoyance meant! Love your photo – You look so adventurous. Hope you’ve been keeping well!
Beautiful letter Joe. Patrick and Rachel
Thanks RacPat!
You latest post is good to motivate and inspire ppl to travel the world without money 🙂 keep traveling
Joe. We are reading this is Scotland on an ‘easy’ 3 day break to ‘get away from it all’: my, when you sought to ‘get away’ it was to ‘engage with it all’….and more besides. What an experience: well done you. Come and see us in Yorkshire if/when you can so that we hear more. In the meantime we are thinking that your trusty bike came from Scotland: give us an address, we will buy a couple and come with you next time ??? Bill and Margaret
Hehe, Thanks Bill and Margaret! It certainly didn’t feel like a holiday all the time, but it was an absolutely incredible experience! 🙂 I would certainly do it all again! Get your bikes and you can come along!