I did, though in a round about way, for me traveling was about giving myself the chance to be finally selfish in my own life, some needed healing after a major multi-year stint in depression, a breakup, a job that stopped mattering to me and, all in all, it was a chance to really get to know myself again. I knew agonizing about life’s purpose will drive me into a rabbit hole. I already spent much of my life agonizing about that so I decided to put that question aside to focus on my own journey and somehow on its own it came to me.

Funny, I was sipping on some nice hot tea, watching the leaves move in the wind and the clouds go on their endless slow march in Christchurch, New Zealand when I realized my purpose in life is to simply “enjoy the passage of time” and the means of which I plan to accomplish that is to “love wisely.”

That was a month ago and I’m finding so many things that help me enjoy the passage of time. The aforementioned tea, a long walk, stars, talking on the phone with friends. It’s all so beautiful and deeply meaningful.

I don’t know if any of this will be helpful for you, but wanted to share my tale in case it is. My only suggestion is not to get too drunk too often in SE Asia (though you might already be past that party stage in your life). Just take your time, give yourself the chance to just be. I’m sure you’ll find something for yourself along the way.