The Backpacker Strategist: 4 Directions to Find Your Way “Home”

Have you ever heard of a backpacker before? Well, they travel the world along with whatever they can carry on their back, and they are steered by the spirit of adventure. Just like backpackers, we navigate through the unknown roads of our lives where we are tested.

Regardless of your career profile or academic ranking, I want to share my story about how I find my way “home” when I am lost. “Home” for me, is a state of mind where I feel confident enough to take on new opportunities. “Home” for you may be your source strength, reminders of your talents or a place where you are happy.

Here are 4 lessons that you can use on your journey, which I am still actively learning as a human and as a rising communications strategist.

1 – Trust the Humbling Mountains

At any stage of our careers, we all climb over huge of amounts work to achieve our goals. So far in my Honours year, I was part of a sustainability project inspired by JustDiggIt (a Netherlands Landscape Restoration NGO) that taught me deep lessons about patience. JustDiggIt opened my eyes to see how powerful authentic partnerships can be. My sisters ( Hannah Eppel , Teyise Dlamini , Saloshnee Govender, Tshegofatso Sarah Mashao ) and I created a campaign called Anchor Your Culture.

We engaged with the neighbourhood of Riverside View Extension 68 near Fourways (Johannesburg) to motivate people to value community unity and to regreen their spaces. This project gave me a clear view into the lives of other South Africans beyond the borders of my academic record. It was a challenge, a great mountain to conquer, but as I look back, I realise how much the whole journey humbled me. With whatever work you need to complete, always remember to brace yourself and to keep climbing towards your summit.

2 – Do Not Dwell in Camp Limbo

If you have ever been stuck in your work or personal life, you were probably in what I call Camp Limbo! Being in limbo feels like running in circles. I have had many moments like that so far this year, especially because I am at a crossroads about my choice of career path too. I have a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication, and I am always focused on my studies, so what gives? Well, my stupid fear of failure blocks me from going into the workforce. I sometimes find myself thinking about which direction to take, academia or corporate? Fortunately, I am slowly packing my bags and getting out of Camp Limbo. I beg you not to stay in such a state of mind!

3 – Never Forget Your Memory Journal

This year, I constantly rely on my memories to stay level-headed. My memories serve as reminders of what I have endured, and they make me think about what I am capable of. I have been gifted with the opportunity to travel the world which has helped me to grow as a strategic communications student. My experiences abroad have shown me how beautiful (yet crazy) the world is and how other people navigate through it. My former Australian High School teacher, Mr. Ben Duggan advised me to use my family as a source of inspiration. To my benefit, my parent’s success story is always a great motivational force that helps me when I feel lost. Please, go and search within your memory archives because they hold clues to your next move.

4 – Keep Your Cultural Toolbox Handy

My Honours experiences so far this year have shown me that I am more than my academic record. I have come to understand that to truly survive in our uncertain world, I need to use all the equipment in my cultural toolbox. Do not underestimate the power of speaking and understanding languages other than your mother tongue. Languages will not just connect you to other people, but you will also wholeheartedly understand their stories. Lastly, do not forget to be street and book smart because our world is just too complex.

My advice may be brief, but in your path to find your way “home” it will take more than a motivational YouTube video to get there. Humans learn quickly about life lessons from each other’s stories (Suzuki, 2018). My story is just one of many. Now it is your turn to hit the road.

Tell me how you find your way “home” in the comments section.

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References

Suzuki, W., Feliú-Mójer, M., Hasson, U., Yehuda, R. & Zarate, J. (2018). Dialogues: The Science and Power of Storytelling. The Journal of Neuroscience, 38(44): 9468-9470. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1942-18.2018