30 Things I've Learned: #14

- Take a cross country trip - solo.   

I've made no secret of detailing out my trip from Ohio to California. But I simply cannot stress the value of doing something like this, and of doing something like this alone.  I planned the route, made the reservations, got myself from point A to B to Z. I spent up to 18 hours (too much, aim for max of 15) a day in the car alone.  I listened to music, to podcasts, and most importantly to my own thoughts.  I rolled the windows down, felt the wind whipping against my face, and felt the freedom that comes from blaring music going 90 mph (a bit too fast, at least by law enforcement standards - not mine). 

There was no one I had to answer too or make conversation with. No one who needed me to make extra stops to pee. No one who wanted to see this or that when I didn't. No one to tell me that stopping at McDonald's in the middle of nowhere America simply for the "experience" was a waste of a perfectly good happy meal (which ended up in the trash). I got to make the choices. The rules. The destination stops. 

Freedom is free. So find it - yourself.