Being Comfortable by Myself
This trip has taught me how to be more comfortable by myself, something I never really used to be. I hated being alone, it was uncomfortable and boring. So you can imagine me deciding to do this trip was an interesting choice, but, as NomadicMatt (a travel blogger I follow) said himself, “you’ll never go anywhere if you’re always waiting for someone else.” (A link to the post is posted below.) My desire to see the world and have new experiences was stronger than my dislike for being alone. And just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. I’ve started to really value my time alone, partly because it means I can do whatever, whenever, however, and for as long/short as I want (again, see Matt’s post), but it’s also giving me time to reflect on a lot of things, something I don’t think people really take enough time to do, partly because life tends to get so busy, people never really seem to have time for it. This trip has also taught me to really reach out to new people and make strangers into friends, something that I’ve really enjoyed. I absolutely LOVE meeting new people, learning their story, and building a connection. The other thing this has made me really pay attention to, is keeping in touch with my already established friends. I left college and I didn’t want to lose contact with some of the most wonderful people I have had yet to meet. People I’ve made wonderful memories with through great experiences, have had some of the most meaningful conversations with, and people I enjoy having in my life. On this trip I’ve made an effort to keep in touch with those back at home (or wherever they have ventured off to). And it's been great. It’s been a wonderful way to ground myself while being away and to really remind myself that I’m never alone, even if I’m the only person I know in the country I’m in. I’ve also strengthened relationships this way. People I knew in school that I was friends with and talked to on occasion are now people that I talk to everyday and wouldn’t know what I would do without their smart humor and quirky remarks. Staying in touch, regardless of if you’re on the other side of the world or right next door, shows that you really care about people and their friendship, it means that they really matter to you and they make a difference in your life. It means a housemate for a few months becomes a friend for life, and distance doesn’t matter. The power of sending a short message, just to say “hello”, or “I’m thinking of you” goes a long way and makes a person really feel valued, so whether you are on the receiving or giving end of that message, keep that in mind and pass it along. :)
This article by NomadicMatt really speaks to how I feel, and it’s almost like I could have written this myself:
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