When the Subconscious Speaks
How I discovered that the answers I was looking for were with me all along, just waiting for me to notice them
📍Hanoi, Vietnam
Has it ever happened to you that you said something without thinking about it first? As if your mouth was operating completely independently from your brain?
Sometimes I find myself in the middle of a conversation, and the words just come out, without me having processed them consciously. And then I stop, listen to what my mouth just said, and realize that this is actually the answer to something I've been pondering for a long time. It's like my subconscious decided to take initiative and skip the whole cumbersome process of conscious thinking.
This happened to me recently, in a way that really surprised me.
I had planned the first two months of my Vietnam trip in advance - one month in Hanoi and one month in Da Nang. But the third month? That's where the dilemma began. Where would I go next? Where would I stay? And after my visa expires - which country am I heading to? (What is this uncharacteristic thing that I'm not planning everything in advance?)
I found myself sitting for hours on Airbnb, searching for apartments in various places in Vietnam. I thought about another month in Da Nang because everyone says it's simply amazing. Then I checked out Hoi An, as I'd heard good recommendations about it too. I even considered Ho Chi Minh City in the south, despite warnings that it starts getting too hot there during that season.
But something went wrong in the process. The apartments I found either weren't to my taste, not within my budget, or not available on my dates. And those that did fit my budget and dates? They were far from everything. Even from a grocery store or a coffee shop. And if I need to add $100 a month for a scooter, wouldn't it be better to just add that amount to the rent and live in a better location, right?
I kept going back to the websites, even checked hotels, and nothing. Each time I closed my computer in frustration. What's going on here? Why can't I find an apartment? What are they trying to tell me?
I abandoned the search and went on a journey around the northern loop of Vietnam. There I met fascinating people and really enjoyed the conversations with them. After developing a deeper connection, one of my new friends asked me: "What's your plan after Vietnam?"
I started telling her about my apartment search for the third month and my uncertainty about the next destination, and then - without any preparation or prior thought - I heard myself saying:
"I'm waiting for a sign."
I stopped. I listened to myself as if a stranger had spoken.
"Oh... I'm waiting for a sign... Okay... Good to know. Thank you for sharing your actual plans with me, precious soul," I said to myself in my head, wondering if this was sufficient grounds for a mental institution.
The conversation continued to flow, and in subsequent times when people asked me where I was heading next, I already confidently said: "I'm waiting for a sign." As if it were something clear, a known fact, like the sun in the sky.
You're probably wondering if I received the sign.
Otherwise, there probably wouldn't be a post, right?
The day after I returned from the loop, I suddenly remembered the apartment search! I need to get this organized before it's too late!
It was already late at night and I was very tired. I read a bit on Substack before sleep and received a notification on my phone. I wanted to close it but apparently opened it by mistake - and up popped a post with a video of a woman interviewing a guy in a live (recorded) session with a headline about digital nomadism.
Something drew me to listen for a minute. She was interviewing a guy who's a digital nomad, and I think she is too. I read a bit about her and she totally speaks my language. He also believes in personal development through world travels.
Wow, where did you two come from now?
I was drawn into the video and discovered it was 51 minutes long! I couldn't stay awake and decided to watch the second half tomorrow. Their conversation was fascinating, his story was incredibly interesting, and I identified with so many things he said.
The next morning I thought I would check the apartment first, because priorities, but something in me wanted to finish the video first. This was strange to me because I would never sit and watch such a video, certainly not for a whole hour, my attention span simply doesn't allow it. But this time was different.
I sat and watched it with my morning coffee. I laughed with them, agreed with them, felt like I belonged. Maybe I even imagined myself participating in such a video? (Yes, I admit, it's allowed to dream.)
And then, at minute 50 (literally at the end!!), the interviewer asked the guy where he was heading next. And he explained with an embarrassed smile:
"The truth is I'm flying to Germany tomorrow. I'm a member of the Trusted House Sitters platform, and it's a great solution for those who want to wander the world and save on housing costs, while looking after other people's pets and homes."
There's the sign.
It was clear to me that this was my sign, because it wasn't the first time I'd heard about such platforms and about house sitting. But on previous occasions, I thought "it's not for me" or didn't feel I needed it. And yet, every so often I hear about them.
And now, when I'm waiting for a sign, I'm ready to listen.
I finished the video, and it was clear as day that this was my next mission: to open an account on this platform and find my next home.
In the next post, I'll tell you exactly how I did it, and about the places I found.
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