I am ready to make a difference

Suddenly, I’ve landed in a new place,
A new world. Two suitcases in hand.
A whole world, two small cases.
I go to the store and buy.
Buy.
Buy.
But why?

Why buy, when the goal was never to consume.
To use.
To waste.
Why an Uber to the store,
When a bus could take you somewhere new?

Why a big box from Amazon,
When supporting local is different, sustainable, and something better?

Through the excitement and the melee, I wrote down four goals for my travels away.

Through my travels, I aim to
Protect more ecosystems, because I will
Cherish new lands, have new adventures, and leave no trace.

Through my travels, I will
Foster innovation, because I will learn to
Reject conformity, promote inclusivity, and embrace creativity.

Through my travels, I hope to
Create new communities, because I will
Strengthen existing relationships, learn from the people around me, and embrace new experiences.

Through my travels, I aspire to
Consume less waste, because I want to
Consume more connection, create more memories, and fulfil more dreams.

Because travel should be thoughtful, kind, considerate,
And developing a plan will help me succeed in being conscious and aware
Of the impact I have.

To contribute to a cleaner environment, I have developed these intentions
From the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
Because I just might:

Promote responsible consumption.
Support local economies.
Combat climate change.
Protect ecosystems.
Create inclusivity.
Produce belonging.
Reduce inequality.
Build resiliency.
And so much more.

A whole new world. Two suitcases in hand.
I am ready to make a difference.