Our daily lives are led by habit, by brains processing information via automation. Traveling, though--especially when it's challenging--can shake up our routines and our minds, help us see life from a different perspective, build our confidence.
When I lived in Thailand, every single day brought new challenges and surprises, and the cultural differences could be jarring. Still, I was consumed by such a strong sense of being alive, of living in the moment. Amidst daily discomfort, I thrived. My brain was engaged and active--I felt a sense of reward in facing obstacles, things that would never confront me in my Western life. How do I do the laundry? How do I order food? How do I cross the road? I met these questions with a sense of humor. This allowed the perfectionist side of me to dissipate a bit, for me to take a step back and allow more room for curiosity, self-compassion, and spontaneity.
And wow, facing such a steady stream of novel tasks helped to bolster my confidence, to show to myself my competence. It's easy to feel self-doubt in our everyday lives, when we're faced with habitual occurrences instead of novelty and challenges; our brains are complacent. After you've gotten a trip or two or more under your belt, I have no doubt you'll notice this same difference between your routine self and your traveling self. There's nothing that'll make you feel more like a badass than catching a flight solo, using your foreign language skills in a faraway airport, realizing that you put your dream into action.
If you're looking for a mental refresher, this is why I recommend traveling somewhere off the beaten path, somewhere that's going to force your brain to engage in its surroundings. Happy traveling!
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