NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST

I recently read a book that changed the way I think, changed my life if you will. This book was "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven. I stumbled across this book in two ways; one via Zoella and her book club, the other by recommendation of a friend of mine, Shauna, who literally made it her goal to get me to read this book. In the past she has led me to my favourite book of all time; Eleanor and Park.
Anyway, I read this book in just a few hours as myself and my family were travelling down to Italy in the car. I had to grab a pack of tissues and muffle myself because everyone else was asleep, I was a mess.
Basically, I won't spoil it too much, but a character I grew very fond of in the book, Finch, likes to wander. To visit the sights that the world has to offer him. Rather relevantly, i was on my way to italy, visiting it for the first time, and it got me thinking about "wandering"; travelling if you will.
Although Finch is rather lost, not all those who wander are lost.



I think that after reading this book, my urge, my drive to travel has grown stronger. I haven't travelled much, I've been to France, Italy, Canary Islands and Spain...sounds like a lot, but really I've been rather restricted travelling wise. Now that I'm at university, I see so many people just packing everything up and travelling for the summer. Not only do I not have the money for this, but I have a job I am tied to as well.
The book really made me realise how much of the world you need to see before its too late; how many things I'm missing. How many quirky, kooky sights and destinations there are with wonderful, spontaneous background stories. How many people you can meet who live completely differently to you, with their own stories and tales to tell. You never know how things will turn out, who you will lose, who you'll have your last moments with until they fade away into the sky like dust.

I'm im Italy currently, and it's probably the most beautiful place I've ever seen so far. I want to go to Hawaii, America, Australia, Thailand, Japan. All of them a checklist that seemed unattainable until I read this book. Anything is possible, any wandering is possible. You could do it alone, just like Violet does after Finch disappears, or you can do it with someone special, just like Finch and Violet do together. I'm spending every waking moment I can taking photos to share on my blog, to look back at when I'm at home in England in the miserable rain.

I think people should also make it their goal to travel as much as they can around their home country, too. There are so many hidden treasures that we don't even realise are there. I often think that wandering or travelling can be put into this box that can only be defined as "abroad", when really, just like in ATBP, there are so many places just around the corner, hidden and waiting to be found and appreciated.

Another crucial message I have for people who wish to wander is to invest in a camera; take pictures of moments that you want to last. Sunsets, oceans, your favourite people, your favourite food. Document it so you can relive it over and over and over again and feel the same rush, the same warmth as you did when you were in the moment. Appreciate the fact that you are alive and able to see what the world has to offer, smile, laugh and be carefree. Read books that will change your life, try food you thought you would hate, wear those shoes, book that flight, travel the world and find people you love to do it with.

If there's one thing that All The Bright Places taught me, it's that not all those who wander are lost, like Violet. She was lost for a while, but wandering set her free. Please, whether you're into reading or not, pick up this book, it will change your life, trust me. Always leave time to wander, no matter what.

chlo x