I’ve always wanted to explore new places. The thought of wandering cobblestone streets in Europe, indulging in street food in Asia, or basking on a tropical beach somewhere sounds like a dream. But up until now, that dream was sitting comfortably on the back burner, collecting dust, while I convinced myself there was no rush. “I’ll get a passport next week,” I told myself… for years. Spoiler alert: next week never came.
The truth is, I’m a world-class procrastinator. If procrastination were an Olympic sport, I’d have gold medals and Wheaties box endorsements by now. And while my laid-back, “I’ll get to it eventually” attitude has served me well in certain situations (like perfecting the art of the last-minute grocery run), it hasn’t exactly propelled me toward my big dreams.
But here’s the thing—I want more out of life. I want to push past the limits of my zip code and soak in all the beauty, culture, and adventure this world has to offer. And let’s be real: no one’s going to hand me a passport at my front door just because I’ve been daydreaming about it. So, I’ve made the decision. Tomorrow, I’m scheduling my appointment at the post office to officially get the process started. That’s right—I’m doing it.
Why now, you ask? Well, a few things clicked for me recently:
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- Time is precious: I’ve spent years wasting it on meaningless distractions, so I figured it’s time to channel that energy into something meaningful—like travel and self-growth.
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- Writing keeps me grounded: Oddly enough, taking up writing has helped me refocus my energy. Writing gives me a sense of accountability and purpose, which has been surprisingly motivating.
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- The world is vast, and I’m curious: There’s just too much out there to see, taste, and experience. I don’t want to wake up one day and realize I let it all slip by because I was too busy scrolling Instagram.
I did some research (a.k.a. Googling late at night while half-asleep) and learned that getting a passport isn’t nearly as daunting as I thought. Sure, it involves some paperwork, an awkward photo that I’ll have to live with for the next decade, and a trip to the post office—arguably my least favorite place. But when I think about the possibilities it opens up? Totally worth it.
So, here I am, putting my plan into action and holding myself accountable by telling all of you. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself, it’s this: announcing my intentions makes me far less likely to bail. If I don’t follow through, I know you’ll call me out.
To my fellow procrastinators out there—this is your sign. That thing you’ve been putting off? Just start. One small step can lead to something so much bigger. Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll bump into each other in some far-off destination and laugh about how long it took to get here.
Here’s to doing the thing, crushing procrastination, and unlocking the world one step at a time. Next stop: the post office. Wish me luck!
– Bernard
(P.S. If you see me getting cold feet, send snacks. I hear bribes work wonders.)