Wow, I Didn't Realize That Was Possible
“Adventure is in your blood,” my mom told me recently.
We were discussing my desire to travel to Japan. This would be my fifth time visiting my mother’s homeland, but my first time traveling there alone. I have this itch to test myself that won’t be ignored.
I love to travel. I love researching a trip and learning about the nuances and customs of other countries. I love sitting in the airport and watching people from around the world. I love exploring and experiencing different cultures and ways of being.
Travel offers new perspective. It opens the mind and challenges rigid thinking.
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to Iceland. This land of fire and ice exceeded all expectations. We enjoyed the top tourist activities and gained new perspective just by talking to strangers.
We complain a lot in the USA about gas prices. Gas in my area now is around $3.28 per gallon. We paid $3.24 per liter in Iceland. That is $12 per gallon! Perspective.
While eating in a tiny restaurant, we sat next to a single woman in her mid-60s from Leeds, England. I watched her out of the corner of my eye and the word that describes her is – delighted. She was so happy and enthusiastic about her meal. She mentioned that her 85-year-old mom died a few months ago. This woman cared for her mom for years and was now free to live her life. She was researching Iceland as a place to retire. Imaging retiring to another country.
When I was a girl, I would rearrange the furniture in my bedroom. Every six months I would get an itch for change. I love to try new things. My varied interests have included: country line dancing, mini triathlon, karate, target shooting, golf, kayaking, hiking, and pickle ball.
I am not a master of any of these activities. Becoming an expert is not my goal. My goal is to collect experiences. Experiences offer us an opportunity to look differently at ourselves and our place in the world.
When I talk to other people pleasers, we often express the same struggle – trying to win acceptance or approval from those around us – whether it’s family, community, or work. We find ourselves stuck in the never-ending cycle of doing what we don’t want to do, failing to make others happy, and becoming miserable in the process. When we step beyond our own small circle, we realize we have more control over our happiness than we realize.
New experiences force us out of our comfort zone. Travel opens our eyes to new opportunities and ways of being in the wider world. We find ourselves saying, "Wow, I didn't realize that was possible."
Whether it’s an exotic vacation or simply a different walking path through the park, getting out of our comfort zone reaps many benefits. Every experience teaches us something new about ourselves.
How can you embrace a change of scenery and gain new perspective today?
For more tips and tricks to Create Healthy Boundaries and Say NO With Confidence, download my free People Pleaser's Toolkit and begin practicing today.
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