DIAL 911 for Europe*

Every year of this whole early twenties thing has gone from meh to "holy uncanny photographic mental process batman" in a manner of days.  I get that the midlife crisis is a very real thing but I'd like to focus on my pre, well, barely pre, quarter-life crisis escape plan.

Quarter life - that period of life that spans from late teens to mid thirties.

Simply put, this period of life makes up a good portion of the outliers on my mental health scatter graph and I can't ride the ups and downs for much longer.

My Escape Plan: Part 1

1.  Create a minimalist wardrobe

This would involve a great deal of work on my part.  I have made many strides in the whole 'stop being a hoarder' part of my life but, um, I still have a major thrift shop problem where I can't stand to leave without buying anything.  A minimalist wardrobe is easily portable and has enough of an array of mix and match pieces that I could survive on 20-30 things and have endless outfit possibilities on the go.

2.  Account for all liquid assets

No, I don't want the be the idiot that had her crisis, blew through all her saved funds and now has to work as the 84 McGreeter with that painted on smile at the local Wal-Mart until the government says I can finally retire.  My parents thankfully gave me a pretty decent step above the rest of the Gen Y kids because of the stocks and bonds in my name.  I've already blown through the majority of my bonds sadly and now only have stock but cashing in a few of those means waiting a few more years for the returns to even out.  Not a big deal if I have a chance in the future to reinvest.

3.  Create a well thought out escape plan

I have some maps saved to my computer that should provide me with basic rail between countries in the EU.  That isn't enough this time.  I wouldn't want to just get over there, have only the money and clothes on my back available and then start wandering willy nilly throughout Europe.  I'm way to Type A for all that.  I need a plan.  I want my first flight booked open ended with no return date in sight but then I want real details.  Like how long would I spend in France?  Would I au pair there for a year, sight see for a little while in nearby areas and then switch countries or do I want to spend a month somewhere with locals?  Do I want to learn to be a chef and attend a three year culinary program in Turkey learning to cook...whatever the Turks eat?  I don't know.  I'm allowed to not know because after all, I'm floundering in my twenties.



And here is where we end.  That is all I have so far for my escape plan to Europe.  I know I'll probably fly Delta or British Airways.  I'm a stickler for those kinds of details but aside from that I'm headed back to the drawing board or cartography school to determine how I want to plan this great escape.  I think I want to throw an epic "I'm getting the eff out of here party" like two weeks before my official leave date.






*Dialing 911 will not get you Europe, but it will get you a nice hefty ticket!