Empty hangers swing in the barren closet, the mouth of my suitcase overflows with clothes and books, and tiny toiletry bottles taunt me to fill them without ending up slimed by rosemary mint shampoo and conditioner.

In this moment, I am tempted to slide under my still warm sheets, pull up my fluffy white duvet, and pretend that today is just a regular Sunday. That I’m not flying to London tonight. That I’m not spending four days there before traveling to the other side of the world. Far away from my cozy little apartment, my daily yoga classes, and my gluten free bakery.

Can you relate to that feeling? That moment when your world is about to completely change and for a split second you want to opt out. Stay in the safety of your routine. Not make that decision to quit your soul-crushing job, end your un-healthy relationship, or fly to the other side of the world.

But, then you remember that with change comes opportunity and that you are lucky to have the freedom to take risks. So, you get up, and as one of my friend’s would say, pull up your big girl panties and dive right into your fear. You work through your crushing to do-list and somehow land on the other side of your emotional wind tunnel full of excitement and gratitude.

As I sit in the International Departures area at YVR, I am somewhere between overwhelmed and excited. I can’t believe this day is here. That a spark of an idea to volunteer in Africa on a bright & sunny New Year’s Day walk, has brought me here to this moment.

Are you ready to join me? The adventure is about to begin…