The writing prompts invite postcrossers to write about a different topic on their postcards’ messages every month. These are just suggestions though — if you already know what you want to write about, or the recipient gives you some pointers, that’s great too!
This month’s writing prompt was suggested by a member on the forum, and I had to have a bit of a think about how I’d answer! So we’re very curious about this one… what’s something you wish you had the courage to do?
In general, I’m pretty content with my life and don’t have a lot of regrets. That’s not to say I’m not scared of doing stuff—there are a lot of things I found difficult to start doing, like the volunteering work I did with the Royal National Institute for the Blind in the UK, or high-end raiding in Final Fantasy XIV, or applying to a dream university for further study. But I had to have a good think about something I still haven’t done because I was scared.
In the end, I think my answer is: more travel! I’ve been to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Canada and the US, and of course I’ve travelled within the UK. But I’m a bit of a homebody and I don’t travel a lot, even though there are places in the world I’d love to visit, like Germany, Greece and more of Italy… Since I mention in my profile that my wife and I like to visit zoos when we travel, I’ve had a lot of postcards suggesting destinations, and it’d be great to visit some of them, too!
It’s not impossible that I’ll travel again in future: maybe I’ll pluck up the courage someday. Where would you recommend I go, as a bookish person who likes museums?
And of course… if you’re stumped for what to write on your postcards this month, you can take this as your theme! We’d love to read your answers on the blog as well: what have you wanted to do that you’re scared to actually try?
23 comments so far
If you truly love zoos, come back to Canada and visit the Calgary Zoo. For inspiration, visit the website. Have you ever thought about exploring countries through zoos? 🦒🦓🐻🐧 🦁… Good luck on your new travels
Oddly enough, I have been to Calgary Zoo! My in-laws live in Calgary. I think we might have gone there twice, on different visits!
I want to do the zipline in the ski jumping hill Holmenkollen in Oslo. I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it once I get going, but I suspect that I'll be too scared at the top of the hill before starting.
I suggest a road trip to see museums and bookish places. I did this recently and visited Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri and the Kurt Vonnegut museum and library in Indianapolis, Indiana. I then shifted to presidential museums and libraries with Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis and Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. It was a great a great trip and really satisfied my bookish heart!!
I was fearful of donating my kidney after off handedly telling a friend on dialysis that I would and she actually got back to me when she qualified for a transplant. I have feared needles since childhood and to make sure you’re a fit with the recipient you have to go through a zillion tests, many involving needles. Well, I now only have one kidney!
I don't have a fear of heights, but I had never sky-dived. When the student we are hosting from Italy said he wanted to do it for his 18th birthday, I sucked it up and said I would join him. It was a great experience except jumping out of a perfectly safe plane at 12,000 still makes be question the decision.
I’d recommend to go see the pyramids in Egypt, there’s something magical about being there and seeing them.
I always wanted to go to New Zealand, since I was a kid, but to actually do it is not that easy. Now, though, I’m super close to actually making it happen. I just need a little courage to make the decision to go.
I long to return to the streets of California and its divine beaches; it's been a while since I've been there, but let's see if we can go for a visit in a few days.
I long to return to the streets of California and its divine beaches; it's been a while since I've been there, but let's see if we can go for a visit in a few days.
I long to return to the streets of California and its divine beaches; it's been a while since I've been there, but let's see if we can go for a visit in a few days.
I want to visit a friend who now lives in Tromso, Norway; but the logistics and the intimidation of traveling in a place where I don't have even a basic facility with the language have kept me from making any concrete plans.
If you return to Belgium, don’t miss Pairi Daiza Zoo, the best in Europe! You’ll be able to see pandas and many other animals.
Greetings from Brussels.
Denise
That is such an awesome writing prompt, thank you so much for sharing it! Really made me think… there’s lots to think about!
I’m also a homebody who just happens to love travel almost as much as staying home.
As for tips on where to go as someone who loves books and zoos, I highly recommend Serbia. This is my favorite destination. It’s such an underrated country, but it’s BEAUTIFUL, there are many interesting places to explore as somebody who loves reading (some of the bookstores in Belgrade city center are amazing!) and the Belgrade city zoo is my favorite 😍 It’s spacious and beautiful. With so many incredible animals. Be sure to visit the raccoons, they’re SUPER friendly and cuddly, even from the inside of their pavilions.
If you want museums you should come to Springfield, Mass. USA to the quadrangle museums. There is a Dr. Seuss monument in the courtyard. There are like 4 museum bulidings.. Good luck.
When I get older I tend to love my own routines and daily life even more. I travel a lot though and I think that is my own way to get more inspired and see new things. When travelling I always have more energy and pay more attention to new things around me. I would like to have courage to attend dancing lessons (bellydance and afro) because I think that would be good to me :)
PlasmaGirl - Travelling in Norway without speaking Norwegian is easy as Norwegians speak English very well.
Thank you for the info, Norway_girl! That helps me feel braver and start actually making plans!
Good afternoon.
I suggest visiting Russia. Here you can see interesting museums (even small towns have their own museums, and not just one, but several), wonderful bookstores, planetariums, small mini-zoos where you can pet and feed animals.
Please recommend me some modern English literature to read.
Thank you.
I need a goddamn huge amount of courage to trust that most of the people out there are actually friendly and to be open to them. Some do want to harm you, but having the courage to see what that means to me personally, without locking myself in...
I am afraid of heights, but when we(My daughter and I ) flew to the Philippines, my native home country, last July 2025, we ziplined to the longest zipline in Asia. It was so fun but scary ;)
I am afraid of sadness....
I wanna try sky-diving first and second bungee-jumping. But I think I'll never have the courage or chance to try them
The colorful and fun design is a hit! How to pick a favorite? I think I go for the motorcycle one.
I’ll be curious on how quickly a post office sells out of their initial shipment of the stamp.
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