Take a Break (in Seoul)
August 25, 2020
I think one of the most important things you can do for yourself while traveling is giving yourself a break. After 14 days in isolation, laying in bed, cooking and eating mediocre food, and continually daydreaming about the world outside my Airbnb, I am finally free. I’ve already walked 30,000+ steps which is a lot more than my quarantine atrophied legs can handle. I’m sore and anxious and excited but today I think I need a little break.
Part of me wants to “go go go go go” because I don’t know when or if things might change and I’ll have to board a plane back to America (I doubt that will happen this time, I signed a waiver and everything but nonetheless). But another part of me knows that for my physical and mental health I need to ease myself back into having a social life. It’s not just being in a new country that can be nerve wracking but for all intents and purposes, we’ve all been isolated in our own hometowns for the past 5 months. I had a mini-realization that the past couple days have also been my first time back out in the world where people are allowed to do stuff (most things. The clubs and bars in Seoul are closed for the time being).
For the past two days, I’ve spent more money than I probably needed to and met a whole lot of new people. Unfortunately, my room has paid the price for my escapades in Seoul. The room is pretty much a hot mess, and while I’m not someone who necessarily prides myself on my cleanliness and organization I do not enjoy coming into my room after a long day of exploration only to see piles of disarray from clothes to hair care products.
My body has also been telling me to take it easy if the tightness in my shoulders and twinge in my shins is any hint. I kind of hate for my first blog post on this new adventure to be a piece of advice that for all intents and purposes is rather boring, but nonetheless I think it’s really important.
I’m going to practice some self-care today which for me means unpacking my room and taking some time to reflect on whats happened and project and manifest what I want for the next couple of months.
School starts in a couple of days, but that’s a whole other hurdle.
Before I sign off on this post I’ll leave you with these pictures of me at the Studio Ghibli store in the Lotte Mall. Even though the store was small it was a wonderful experience and I got some cute stationery too! I also was able to experience my first 치맥 which is a modern Korean tradition that includes eating fried chicken and drinking beer (a wonderful combination). You can find chicken and beer restaurants everywhere.