FOMO vs FOSU: Fear of Missing Out versus Fear of Screwing Up

The scariest thing I've ever done is move to New Zealand. A place I'd never been to, had no family nor friends here, to a job I'd never properly done before, on the other side of the world, by myself. Looking back, being scared was a logical reaction.

And yet I still did it. I packed up my gear and travelled all this way.

The first few weeks I could get by on the phrase "You are in New Zealand!". It was a simple phrase filled with novelty and hope. I was on a beautiful island on the other side of the world where the sun was shining, how could I not be excited?

And then came Christmas. No family, no cold nor snow, just endless sunshine. I have never felt so far from home before. Thankfully, though, Emma, a friend from University, had been working on the South Island and came to visit. Later I moved into a new flat in Bulls with two lads, Ben and Nick. And finally, on Christmas Day I was invited round to Ben's family home, with Emma, to enjoy a true Kiwi Christmas.

After that it got steadily easier. The flat was a lot of fun, I could socialise with local farmers at The Rat Hole pub on a Friday night, I got out and about exploring the North Island, and met a new group of friends in Wellington.

The whole experience has been great, no regrets, would tell anyone else to give it ago. It was all made much easier by knowing that I had a base and community when I got here. Not to mention that the Kiwis are all lovely people and if I needed help it was never far away.

Now, however, I'm letting go of all that stability and going off to see the rest of NZ, as well as Australia and some of the USA.

Back to being afraid. But also excited. 

"I'm a backpacker"

"I'm travelling the Pacific"

"I'm as close to a professional blogger as I'll ever get"

"I'm lost... Well that's not good"

I'm back to being on my own again, fending for myself.

Granted, I know NZ now, have friends here, and spend time travelling with others,but I'm still off on my own.

Australia and the USA are similar- I'm with other travellers, have friends in the country, but I don't really know the places, not like I know Yorkshire, or even New Zealand.

Being terrified that something, anything, could go wrong and screw it all up seems very reasonable.

What's the solution?

Knowledge.

I already know most Kiwis, backpackers, tour guides, Australians and American hosts will be kind and honest.

I know what I want- to see more of the world, meet interesting people, have great experiences- then I don't have to worry too much about the day-to-day, just go with the flow.

And if I have a decent idea of what I'm doing then I don't have to worry able it the big picture.

All of this will remind me not to be afraid. To be excited. To enjoy everyday of it.

Spending the whole trip scared of what might happen would be as useful as spending the 157 days in a box.

Thus I will be spending the next couple of weeks writing posts about what my plans are, potentially with some detail. Of course things will happen to change some minor aspects, but the basic idea is there.

Hopefully it will help me fell confident in the face of so much time on the road.

Wish me luck!