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Reflecting On Beijing (And Other Things)

written by Brenna Holeman November 14, 2010

Soldiers in Beijing 2 Soldiers in Beijing 3 Soldiers in Beijing 4 Soldiers in Beijing 5 Soldiers in Beijing 6 Soldiers in Beijing

Beijing, China

Most, if not all, of my friends have steady jobs and advancing careers. Many have homes, apartments, or condos. Almost all are in long-term relationships, married or engaged.

There are days when I want those things, there are days when I feel worried about my future and where I’ll be in a year, what I’ll be doing in a year. There are days when I am exhausted, tired of sleeping in different beds and never feeling a sense of permanency, tired of the ever-changing languages and even of the ever-changing skylines. My friends and family are spread across the planet, and my lifestyle means that I can rarely forge a relationship that I can say with certainty will be able to withstand the test of distance; there are days when I just want everyone I love within an hour’s drive. There are days when I miss routine. There are days when I can’t believe I’m still doing this after nearly five years, days when it all seems so difficult.

But those days? Those days are few and far between, which is why I’m simultaneously researching tours in India, plane tickets to Bangkok, and schools in Amsterdam. I don’t know that I’ll ever let those days outnumber the ones I usually have, the ones when I think, “I love my life.”

AsiaChinaHome Sweet Home
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Brenna Holeman

Brenna Holeman has travelled to over 100 countries in the past 15 years, many of them solo. She's a big fan of whisky and window seats.

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4 comments

Ekua November 15, 2010 - 6:23 am

Hi there, found your blog through Naomi’s “Anywhere But Home”. Love your photography and can definitely relate to your thoughts in this post! Adding you to my blogroll 🙂

Reply
Brenna November 15, 2010 - 6:38 am

Thank you! Your blog is wonderful, I added you to my blogroll as well.

Reply
CoilyInChina March 6, 2013 - 4:45 pm

Hi there, your blog is great and I just ‘liked’ you on Facebook. This post really resonates with me. I’m embarking on an international life abroad in about three months which I’m completely excited about, but wonder if I’ll be able to withstand those days that you speak of in this posts. I’m really excited to live, work and travel different regions of the world. I’m basically going to be a nomad or “travel gypsy” as you so perfectly put it and I’m totally thrilled and excited. It’s really great to read blogs like yours that I feel are honest about international experiences where one will encounter bouts of “loneliness” and questioning the uncertainties of life. Thank you so much for sharing your truth. It’s admirable and motivating.

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 7, 2013 - 3:43 am

Wow, thank you so much! That is such a nice comment. I really strive to just be honest about my life; sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s not so great…but, travelling or not, we all feel like that. I am sure that you are going to love the adventures in your future, and you will find it to be so rewarding. Yes, it’s tough at times, but it is such an incredible life. Truly thrilling and exciting, as you put it. Good luck and have fun! Thanks again for your comment.

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About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Brenna

My name is Brenna Holeman and I drink a lot of whisky. No, wait. That’s not how I want to start. After travelling to more than 100 countries over the past 15 years, many of them solo, I tend to write about travel a lot, but I write about other things, too: getting dumped, buying way too much jewellery, and yeah, OK, whisky (none of those things are related, I swear). You’ll find a mix of advice, opinion pieces, and stories on this blog, but either way, I hope to make you want to read more. And up next? I'm about to become a single mom to a beautiful baby boy, the biggest solo adventure I've ever been on. For more about me and what you'll find on This Battered Suitcase, click here .

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INSPIRATION

Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

About Brenna

This Battered Suitcase is not only about the where and the how of travel, it's about the who and the why.

Originally from Canada, all I've ever wanted to do is travel. After eleven years of solo travel and over 90 countries, I'm currently living in London and fulfilling my other dream of becoming a writer. If I'm not travelling, I'm writing about it, either for my blog, my job, or my book. I firmly believe there is adventure everywhere, so long as you keep your eyes (and your mind, and your heart) open. Join me as I continue to look for these adventures. Hopefully you'll find your own, too.

For more, click here.

WHERE AM I?

Last stops: Manitoba, Canada

Currently: Manitoba, Canada

Up Next: Manitoba, Canada (are you sensing a theme?)

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Please note that some links on This Battered Suitcase are affiliates (at no extra cost to you); I only recommend products I use and love. This Battered Suitcase is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

INSPIRATION

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life." - Jack Kerouac

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WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

Last Stops: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Up Next:  Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

(AKA: STAY HOME)

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