Vachana Jayaram | Life Is Short, And The World Is Wide

During our engineering days, my friends and I took a short weekend trip to Theerthalli, a quaint town in Shimoga. We stayed at my relative’s resort, a place I’d visited many times. But this trip was special because it was the first time I traveled independently without my parents and it was with my best friends to one of my favorite places in the world.

For the first time I felt a sense of adventure and excitement that comes with traveling with like-minded people. It gave me the opportunity to enjoy the place differently, helped me learn more about my friends, relatives and the people we met during the visit. And most importantly, it taught me a lot about myself.

Even a short travel can answer a myriad of questions. It can reveal a lot of details about you - how accommodative you are, if you're a morning person, if you handle surprises well, if you enjoy meeting new people, if you are open to trying new cuisines, do you like spending time with others, do you truly appreciate nature and so on.

With the little bit of travel I have done within India and outside, I've learned that people are the same everywhere. They are nice, helpful and friendly. Despite being warned not to speak to strangers, I urge you to do so. You will be surprised by how much you have in common. It also makes you understand other cultures, traditions and respect their belief systems.

I now know that travel refreshes me! I enjoy meeting new people, understanding local cultures, trying new foods, listening / dancing to new music, and learning about the history of the place.

Go solo, go with your partner, with your kids, with your gang, with your parents, in a group, but travel nonetheless.

It can broaden your horizons and expand your understanding of the world around you in a way that no books, education, or TV can.

We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves.- Pico Iyer, Travel Writer

Have you ever stopped to think how travel can impact your personality and self-image? On the positive side, travel can be a powerful way to break out of our comfort zones and challenge our assumptions about the world. By exposing ourselves to new cultures, we can learn to appreciate diversity and gain a deeper understanding of our place in the world.?

Traveling can also lead to feelings of inadequacy and comparison. When we compare ourselves to others, we can start to feel like we don't measure up or that we're not doing enough. Social media has only made this problem worse, with curated images of perfect vacations, lifestyles and the time invested in taking the insta-worthy pictures can take us away from actually enjoying the experience.?

Here are a few tips that I have followed to have a great vacation and while I am at it, also to cultivate a positive self-image:

• Focus on your own experience: Remember that travel is a personal experience, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Just focus on what you want to get out of the experience.
• Embrace the unknown: Embrace new experiences with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. You might be surprised by what you discover about yourself.
• Be adventurous, but make time to relax: Take time for yourself to recharge, whether that means sleeping in till late or skipping few late evening outings. Prioritizing self-care can help you feel more grounded and centered, even when you're far from home.

• Appreciate the journey, not just the destination: Take time to appreciate the small moments along the way, whether that's trying a new food or striking up a conversation with a local. Be open to understanding how things work in that place, rather than being upset it isn't the way you want it to be.
• Journal / Reflect on your experiences: Travel can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. Keep a journal or take photos to help you remember the small moments and insights that you gained along the way.

Travel is not just about checking off boxes on a list of trendy destinations and fancy experiences. It should be about what suits your style, fits your budget, feeds your soul and more importantly, helps you rejuvenate. The journey is yours and yours alone, so make it one that brings you true happiness and fulfillment.

In case you have missed, find links to previously posted articles        

1. Self-images: Their interactions and the impact ?
2. The impact of childhood experiences
3. Are self-esteem and self-image the same?
4. Success doesn't equate to happiness - Story of Deepika Padukone
5. 5 Pointers that help you embrace change
6. Being your own cheerleader during minor setbacks
7. What's in a name? A lot more than you think
8. Top 3 reasons we need a Coach
9. Recent Post - How do we manifest the impossible

Upcoming articles / events        

• We know the 'Why'. Let's focus on the 'How' - series of video and articles
• 'Find Your True North' - Free webinar - Registration process will be announced shortly

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Signing off,

Vachana Jayaram