On the dreaded return to school, I was assigned the task of describing what inspired me over the long summer break which served more of a problem than I initially thought. In retrospect, I struggled to conjure up an exact moment in which I felt inspiration as the melancholy Jersey weather really prevented me from wanting to go out or participate in activities as much as I would have liked to, restricting me to exploring the depths of my house and my friend’s houses. However, looking back I can conclude that my primary source of inspiration was attained away from home and actually in the Asian sector of Turkey as my family booked a last minute and spontaneous holiday for the middle of August

Leading up to the family excursion, the weather in Jersey remained very miserable and wet, barely reaching 13 degrees despite being the “sunniest place in the British Isles”, yet the weather reports from Turkey were portraying air temperatures exceeding 35 degrees which provided us and the people I’m closest to, with excitement for what lied ahead.

The process of packing my bag was a very fast yet efficient one as not only was I scrupulous with packing my clothing and delicate belongings but I was packed as soon as I got word of the holiday booking. This attitude was reciprocated throughout my whole family, including my five year old sister who was sure she packed all of favorite toys as she didn’t want to make them miss out either. Our family hadn’t been on holiday together for three or four years as my parents became wrapped up in the mundane Jersey life where work is priority, making it easy to forget what is important.

When travelling through the airports, particularly when boarding and exiting the planes, there was a real sense of ambition and opportunity in the air, as if there was a new start and the stresses that real life provides are irrelevant, although we knew they’d all be returning in a matter of days.

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip on the whole. Exploring and embracing different cultures, different people and different settings really helps put things in perspective for when you’re back home, as if your priorities all become aligned and by embracing the Turkish tranquility whether it be the weather, massages or scenic views really helps you realize what is worth stressing over and what isn’t. Fundamentally, getting away with my family really provided me inspiration and motivation for working hard in school because being successful with qualifications is the only sufficient way I can achieve my life ambitions of seeing as much as possible before I die.