You land. Everything feels incredible - new, challenging, fresh, you go at life with this excitement and enthusiasm like never before. However, as you go, some realities you never anticipated are dumped like coals on your head. Don't be discouraged - its all a part of the journey, the excitement, and the growth that you'll really learn to appreciate, if with the right attitude...
Here are a few of my own personal struggles as a world-traveler, that maybe you fellow travelers can identify with....
1. People come and go.
You get close so quickly with the special culture of travelers - (especially young backpackers or missionaries..) who tend to be open minded and free. You make emotional bonds only to have them gone from your life as instantly as they came into it. The positive is that you know have dear friends all over the globe who'd love to host you in their country, and doors of opportunity open like never before... But they're not beside you like they were before.
2. You start over and over and over again.
Once you feel settled into a place finally, you may have to pack up and move once again. Make new friends again. You attach quickly to people, only to leave them just as quickly. For me, my life and my mind has become more scattered since becoming a sojourner. When I was younger, and settled into the house which I grew up in, my life was full of pattern and routine, and I HATED change. My room was fairly organized. I would sit in the same seat on car trips, have the same routines in the mornings when waking and evenings before going to bed. But since world travel has entered my life - during which the past few years I haven't stayed in one place more than 3 months, my life has become less consistent, and I'm much less pattern/routine oriented as a result. I now love trying new things; exploring new food other people wouldn't dare touch; or when I drive places with people, if we stop and stretch, I might go sit in a different seat when we return (a subconscious act for me, but others have pointed it out.) Which are all awesome traits I've gained. But, my organizational skills have taken a wee bit of a beating...
3. No sense of true security
A few things humanity tends to find self-security in are.... routine; having loved ones around; having financial security; food and a roof over our heads (no-brainer)... Some of which may not be possible when you're on global adventures (which is partly what makes it an adventure - a risk.) We live in an age where people move more than ever before in history. Live in the 1800s America and you're guaranteed to grow on the farm, get married, and work on the farm with your family till you die. Not always the case, there were certainly sojourners throughout history. But its safe to say that modern technology has made it easier than ever before in human history. Life was simpler back in the day, and that is actually a very beautiful thing in itself.. The modern day opportunity is riddled with new challenges for our generation; we have more choices to make, more challenges and changes to adapt to, and more global awareness than ever. Perhaps we aren't naturally made to live like this; and perhaps thats what makes it exciting... Like rebellion- but to our nature?
4. Culture shock
Things that are obvious for them, aren't so obvious to you! In some cultures, sticking out your tongue is equivalent to the middle finger. In Australia's case, the backwards peace sign, which is very inconvenient if that's your go to pose when taking pictures or saying bye to someone... Something is called one thing is called something different in another culture. Your boss asks you to go to the news agency and buy some scissors. "Wait, whats a news agency? Oh! A post office! Got it! Okay!" Things that should be simple tasks take a lot more effort when you have to translate it into your own cultural understanding.
So to any of you other world travelers out there, do you agree? Can you add to this list? Comment below and tell me your thoughts!
Luggage
What do you bring and what don't you bring? Bring too little, and you may miss some things. Bring too much, and traveling will be a hassle and you won't have extra space for the new things you buy to bring back. I have the problem of always over packing. I think I'm doing so well, then I just keep adding that one other little thing "It won't take up much space..." and another little thing, and another, and pretty soon my bag is bursting at the seams! The smaller the load the better. You'll learn to part with things, which you may miss later. But there's just not room for everything. You learn to be a minimalist and to not get too attached to material possessions. Which is good. But hard for the majority of people.
5. Re-entry
This may be the biggest culture shock you experience. You come back feeling like a hero, but you'll find people back home won't understand how you've changed. You'll be stoked to tell them about the experiences you've had, but they often won't care. You'll encourage them to chase their biggest dreams but sometimes they may see this as a threat more than an encouragement. That was the biggest shock for me personally... Something about travel ruins you for the ordinary cookie-cutter life-style, and its just hard to fit back into the box... If you're gone for so long, you may even have started moving on emotionally from your friends back in your home town, and they'll have started moving on from you. That may leave you lonely - knowing your dearest friends are on all seven corners of the Earth... If home is where the heart is, then your home is everywhere.
It kind of reminds me of the Lord of the Rings when the Hobbits came back to Hobbiton at the end of their journey, and they were sitting in the green dragon, where everything and everyone was the same as before their journey, but they couldn't enjoy it the same way as they used to. You may not believe yourself if you told yourself this before embarking on the journey: you'll want to come home and stop adventuring eventually. You're going to want a place to settle and build roots eventually. It just happens naturally. It's a part of being a human. We can only embark on adventures for so long before they wear us out. Doesn't mean adventure won't call our name again later on... :)
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Please enjoy this little music video I shot on my last 10 days in Australia...
I think I might add that while on the adventure and enjoying it, there is still often a longing for home, and yet you fear you no longer really have a home. If home is everywhere, then it is nowhere. You touched on this a bit, but that is the part that I have struggled with the most.
ReplyDeleteI love your process Heidi and how much I can relate. Let's keep doing this journey together and be present each moment!
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