Then it got to me, all out lives we were sheltered and looked after from grade school all throughout middle school and high school. At one point did we start freaking out? I believe that with all this new found freedom we possess we slightly start freaking out. Aside from our parents nagging at us to get a good job post university, no one else is there telling you what to do or how to think or what test to study for next week. We are utterly all alone in our decision making process — BAM anxiety sets in. Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in North America, affecting millions of people who are 18 and over. My guess, is that this ties in directly when people start leaving school and start becoming an adult and making their own decisions about their next step.

A few weeks ago I myself took a test called the GAD test which stands for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Through this test I learned that I have mild to server anxiety. Obviously learning about my results I started thinking why I have anxiety; is it because my parents put a lot of pressure on me or is it because I put a lot of pressure on myself. The answer isn't really clear but I figured that its a combination of both. It isn’t easy being a young adult, there are lots of decisions that we need to make that can change the course of our future. Not to fret — the beautiful thing about life is that you can change your mind over and over again. Nothing has to be set in stone that’s for sure. I learned how to channel my stress through many forms — one of them being acupuncture or yoga or just your regular meditation. Being 24 doesn’t have to be this hard, I knew there must be a different approach to how I am living my life. Whether its working out or seeing your friends or just watching movies to ease the time away, you do what works for you. At the end of the day — we have our support systems to help us continue to flourish and grow. It is up to us how we perceive being an adult to be.

Until next time..

I’ll begin with Corfu.
Oh Corfu you crazy mother*ucker. If you have time to go here you most definitely should. Although this island is on the other side of Greece, is it worth the flight. I stayed at the Pink Palace, the most popular hostel that is known around the Islands. The fact that we were greeted with Ozo shots upon check in already made me excited for the stay. From toga parties, to the booze cruise to ATV-ing, this hostel has everything. Don’t come here expecting to get a good nights rest; every night there was something going on. I should strongly warn you that you might wake up in a strangers room with missing shoes…huge possibility to say the least.

Definitely do the ATV-ing around the island, only 15 euros and so worth it. The tour takes you around and you end up in the highest point in Corfu overlooking the entire island.

Sorry to the boys who’s butts I just exposed..but it was needed. This is the type of stuff you will be seeing on a daily basis. If you don’t want to spend the 15 euros on the ATV, at least spend it to see this kind of view.

All in all, if you like to party, get plates smashed on your head, then this place is for you.

Would strongly recommend that you come to this island if you have the extra budget to fly and stay there.

Next stop: Mykonos

This was the island where I probably got no sleep whatsoever. It is also known as the party island in Greece, so be prepared to party until sunrise…literally. The island itself its pretty big, we bussed everywhere and spent most of our days in Namos beach (main beach). You want to stay in Paradise Beach Resort, its one of the most popular hostels. Unfortunately, because we were there during the busy season, all the rooms booked up and we had to stay on the other side of the Island. Do your research and be quick with the booking!

During the night we would bus into old town for dinner…be aware you will be harassed by scalpers trying to sell tickets to the events that are happening that night. At first we thought they were not legit but it turned out they actually selling us real tickets for a cheaper price than at the door. The clubs you want to check out when you are there are “Paradise Beach Club” and “Cavo Paradiso.” Those two are both located beside each other and during the peak season they have DJ’s playing almost every night. The drinks are quite expensive at these clubs so make sure you can flirt your way with someone into buying you a drink..

Myself (on the right) partying with my 2 friends till sunrise…it was an unreal experience and one I strongly recommend you take on. After the clubs close at 8am, a bus picks up everyone and takes them back into the city. From there we would have gyros for breakfast and watch the port fill up with ships of all kinds as the lazy morning kept going. Coming back to our hostel finally at around 10am — yes we called ourselves “team no sleep.” Slept for an hour, had breakfast, and bummed around on the beach all day and did that over and over again. Mykonos is beautiful, the city alone looks like those magical pictures you see on those postcards — full of blue and white houses.

Mykonos destroyed our livers and not to mention our sleep.
It would only make sense to go to Santorini next and relax for a few days, and that we did..

Santorini (The Romantic Island)

Look, people come here with their significant other and I can totally see why. The island itself is filled of honeymooners and couples walking around holding hands everywhere. Not to fret, plenty of things to do for single people too. There are a few towns in Santorini; Oia, Thira and Perivolos. Oia has the beautiful sunset that is known around the world. You can take a bus there from Thira which is the main city, only about a 10–15 minute drive. I recommend you definitely go see the sunset as it is quite breathtaking.

If you want to see those white and blue houses that Greece is known for, then definitely consider taking a trip out to Santorini.

Last stop: Ios

Ios was my favorite island hands down. The second I got off the ferry I was in utter and complete awe of the island and its beauty. I was convinced I should stay there for the rest of summer and work. We stayed in two places, Far Out Beach and Francesco’s. Both of those hostels/hostels are the most popular ones around the island. Far Out is right beside the beach, and I found it to be more fun during the day whereas Francesco’s is in the town and close to all the bars. However, Francesco’s holds a really fun pre-drink and a pub crawl. In total I stayed in Ios for 4 fabulous nights, and that was just not enough. I will be returning this summer for more adventures.

The bars are the best, from Traffic to Circus to Flames, each bar has its own thing to offer. If you buy 7 shots of anything you automatically get a free tank top with the purchase of the bar you are at…becomes an addiction to start collecting them all…or at least getting a guy to buy you 7 shots just so you can get the tank top. FYI people go out to the bars at 1am earliest. GET READY TO STAY UP TILL 8AM. If you love a more chilled out environment, cool bars and lots of pre-drinks, I would say this island may just be yours to conquer.

Greece stole my heart away, its beauty and constant feeling of freedom gave me the push to travel more and proceed with seeing new destinations. If it wasn’t for the people I was with and the ones I met along the way it would not be the same.

Till next time,

The Sunset Chaser

Here is the background story to the last year of my life. I graduated university with a bachelors degree in business management, next step: find a career of course.

Before this career came to be, I decided to take 5 weeks and travel with 2 of my friends after I graduated. We visited Israel, Poland and Greece. Greece was by far the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Something about the beeches, and the travelers and all the different languages fluttering around made me realize how much I just did not want to be back home.

When I was back I wasn’t myself, the food seemed different, the people seemed odd and I found myself depressed. September came around, and as life seemed to get busy again I told myself I was going to take a year off and just travel and go to Australia. That seemed like the perfect plan until an old school mate told me about a job opening I couldn’t say no to. It was in the financial industry and was a dream job for anyone who just graduated from university. I applied willingly without really thinking too much into it. It hit me that I had to put my travel plans on hold once I got the job acceptance. My parents were extremely happy that I found something so soon but deep down I know I was going to regret saying yes. Seven months went by that I was working at this investment firm that’s apparently “a dream job.” Everyday I kept researching for getaways, a cheaper flight, a new destination to get my mind off the work in front of me. Until about 2 months ago, I decided I had enough, I was becoming miserable going into work everyday and had no motivation at all. It is then that my 2 best friends and I decided that we will be going to Europe for the summer. I ran the idea by my boss and told him that I will be leaving for 3 weeks. He of course told me that it would be impossible for me to leave for that long and that I should reconsider going for a week at most.

Lesson learned: 9–5 will really not get you anywhere in life

I immediately quit a week after he told me that I was unable to go for that long. I don’t think back once about the decision I have made to leave my job and to instead go travel. It wasn’t easy but I know that I would continue to be unhappy, and for me, travel is just a way to keep learning more about yourself and what you truly like.

Conclusion: Don’t ever feel tied to anything — life is short and there will be plenty of time to work in this lifetime, the 20s should be focused on travel and finding yourself in this chaotic world.