My friend Adrian sent me a photo of an article he read on the plane. The author read about other people’s travel stories and commented on how they always sound so much more adventurous than his/her own. That perhaps they glorify the good times, and diminish the uneventful times.
If I were to summarize my 9.5 months abroad, I would say I’m pleasant/content 80% of the time; confused 25% of the time; and eagerly searching for a sad movie to release toxins from my tear ducts 2% of the time. (It doesn’t add up, I know, but think Venn diagram, it overlaps.) Perhaps I’m writing this in the 80% zone so the emotions are skewed.
The point is, yes, I’m one of those happy travellers. Some people have crappy stories, some people have good ones. The secret to my content? Attitude.
Thank you, Adrian and JoyC. Dedicated to anti-skeptics. (Joala, how do I rate for this pun? Horrible, I know.)
How to Be Happy Like Me
It’s important to understand what makes us unhappy when we travel. Did we miss a flight? Did the flight get delayed? Did we lose something? Did we get lost? Did we get into a fight with some random stranger? Did we fall sick and vulnerable? Did the worse that can happen happen to us?
Why does it make us unhappy? Is it because we lose time? Money? Physical ability to perform our best? Understand why then reverse the effects. Over the years, I learn to filter out the negatives, and adopt an accepting and appreciative attitude.
Step 1: Filter Out the Negatives
One time in Greece– I catch a cold. We are a group of 4, 3 of us sick. Naturally, when we’re sick, we’re less joyful, less energetic, and overall, not in a good mood. The one who isn’t sick is full of energy; I’m envious. She says to me something along the lines of “make the most of the trip”, so I change my perspective.
I filter out the negatives and I ask myself to enjoy the moment. Not to let illness condition me to think that I’m helpless and weak. Maybe I am temporarily helpless and weak, but mentally, I mustn’t pity myself and thrive for affection. It helps. I find the energy to explore, and it’s almost always there, waiting to be used up.
Step 2: Adopt an Accepting and Appreciative Attitude
If you wonder why I’m smiling all the time, it’s because I appreciate life: cooking, skipping, being outdoors, hiking long distances, being with friends and family, being spontaneous, surprising people, reliving these memories, being alone, reading, the heat, the aching pains of a good workout, live music– even if it’s not my style– I appreciate the atmosphere that people create.
Some people don’t like to hike because they think it’s arduous. They carry an “I can’t” attitude. Hiking boosts my endorphin levels. I feel good, look good, and smell awful, but that’s okay, I feel good.
I also look at it from the perspective of a less fortunate state. What if one day I lose the ability to walk, or I become old and frail? Wouldn’t I look back and regret that I didn’t make use of my legs? People, you have legs. Why take the escalator when you can climb the stairs? (Don’t get me wrong, I still take the escalators.)
Take every moment as your last, and you will appreciate the mundane. And that, my friends, is my travel attitude; in fact, it’s my attitude in life.
Do you have a travel attitude?
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As someone who’s taken an accounting oath, I cannot allow myself to support the Venn diagram — it is mathematically flawed :p
G’s travel attitude: Explore with an open mind and without judgment.
I like it. Thanks for the comment.