This is a great read. My curiosity of learning from natives pushes me out of my comfort zone when I travel. I know that every place you visit will not be as welcoming as others. We have to put in perspective of how people are taught about others and what they are taught whether it’s right or wrong. Always be safe but keep an open mind.
Thank you for your insightful comment. I 100% agree that real learning occurs when we step outside our comfort zones and interact directly with locals. I often tell those who are hesitant to travel that in order to share our story, we must be willing to confront the unknown. Otherwise, we risk allowing the "other" to control our narrative. But it can be intimidating and overwhelming - which, as you said, open-mindedness is key.
In my experiences traveling abroad I was pushed outside of my comfort zone to connect with people and learn about the culture of the places I visited. It taught me about my own strength and resilience and helped me to tap into a confidence that I didn't know I could possess before that. And it has helped me to understand that that my "normal" wasn't normal for everyone and there are so many other ways that people can live and exist and feel fully alive and successful that don't require earning 6-7 figures a year and driving the fanciest car or owning multiple homes.
So the other part of what motivates me is tapping into the deep inner knowing that I am full and whole and can be happy just by being and keeping my being open to connection in all the places I choose to travel and exist. And allowing that to not only teach me about myself, but about what it means to fully live and be alive as a human by learning from the people and truly connecting with them and immersing myself in the different cultures I encounter. Travel redefines the meaning of life to me time and time again.
Thank you for the response!! And yes - I love how you highlight the impact travel can have! This understanding helps us redefine what success and happiness mean for us without feeling pressured by societal expectations (we can't seem to escape it in the States). Travel really helps connect us with ourselves and to truly live in the moment.
This is a great read. My curiosity of learning from natives pushes me out of my comfort zone when I travel. I know that every place you visit will not be as welcoming as others. We have to put in perspective of how people are taught about others and what they are taught whether it’s right or wrong. Always be safe but keep an open mind.
Thank you for your insightful comment. I 100% agree that real learning occurs when we step outside our comfort zones and interact directly with locals. I often tell those who are hesitant to travel that in order to share our story, we must be willing to confront the unknown. Otherwise, we risk allowing the "other" to control our narrative. But it can be intimidating and overwhelming - which, as you said, open-mindedness is key.
In my experiences traveling abroad I was pushed outside of my comfort zone to connect with people and learn about the culture of the places I visited. It taught me about my own strength and resilience and helped me to tap into a confidence that I didn't know I could possess before that. And it has helped me to understand that that my "normal" wasn't normal for everyone and there are so many other ways that people can live and exist and feel fully alive and successful that don't require earning 6-7 figures a year and driving the fanciest car or owning multiple homes.
So the other part of what motivates me is tapping into the deep inner knowing that I am full and whole and can be happy just by being and keeping my being open to connection in all the places I choose to travel and exist. And allowing that to not only teach me about myself, but about what it means to fully live and be alive as a human by learning from the people and truly connecting with them and immersing myself in the different cultures I encounter. Travel redefines the meaning of life to me time and time again.
Thank you for the response!! And yes - I love how you highlight the impact travel can have! This understanding helps us redefine what success and happiness mean for us without feeling pressured by societal expectations (we can't seem to escape it in the States). Travel really helps connect us with ourselves and to truly live in the moment.