How Travel Opens You To Vulnerability
Hello friend, welcome back! I’m happy you’re here today!
In a recent post, we talked about learning your own boundaries and how to respect them while traveling so that you don’t burn yourself out or push yourself too hard. This is useful if you are the type of person to overbook your trip and try and squeeze as much out of it as possible. However, if you are the kind of person who finds travel a challenge or that even getting on a plane to go somewhere is an accomplishment (Congratulations! You took a big first step!) then I want to recognize that you have put yourself in a place of vulnerability and it might feel a little scary, but it is also very rewarding.
How travel opens you to vulnerability
Becoming vulnerable with travel is particularly true if you are traveling solo. Now, I am by no means an expert in being brave when faced with vulnerability, nor am I going to pretend that I am able to speak to everyone’s personal experience. It’s why I like reading works by Brené Brown. I was reading her book “Rising Strong” which got me thinking about another earlier post I made wondering whether people use travel to distract themselves from difficult emotions after something like a break-up or a different kind of fall from grace. In some ways, I still feel that to be true, but travel can also be useful as a big fat reset button. Rather than running away from difficult emotions, perhaps travel can open up a part of you that you haven’t said hello to in a while (or ever) to vulnerability and growth.
Brené defined vulnerability and its rewards as “the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome -is the only path to more love, belonging, and joy.” (Brené Brown“Rising Strong”)
Perhaps traveling makes it easier to be brave and vulnerable. Especially after a time of hurt, or the ending of relationships, or doors closing, traveling to a new place can make it easier to face the feelings of heartache and disappointment. Just like how talking to a neutral third party can feel easier than to someone closer to the situation, perhaps it’s the same with locations. Sometimes you just have to talk to a new place for a little bit to regain your courage to be brave enough to face the people and places that still hurt and fully close that chapter and move forward. Traveling can help you breathe and feel like yourself again.
I didn’t expect the floating gate to be at low tide! It was pretty cool being able to walk almost right up to it!
Traveling can also force you to think on your feet. Perhaps you went to a foreign country that doesn’t share the same language that you speak. Getting around, basic functioning, ordering food, all of that requires interacting with another person and putting yourself out there to make mistakes (which you will definitely make) and to put yourself at risk of looking foolish. But you will get through it. Oftentimes times making mistakes but still trying your best will endear locals and other travelers to help you out. You may also surprise yourself with how much stronger and smarter you are than you ever realize and that people are kind across the planet.
My first time eating Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki! It’s still the best I’ve ever had.
You may try foods that are wildly outside of your usual palette for you, but trying everything at least once may open you up to new favorite foods or cuisines. (Just bring your gas-x pills if you know your gut struggles with anything new or different). Sharing a meal with strangers is the fastest way to make friends with fellow travelers and locals alike. There are many kinds of places that purposely sit their patrons in family style to encourage connection and togetherness. I once met some very energetic girls at an Izakaya in Japan who were out enjoying their Saturday night and they were seated at the same table as us. The table was this large square shape and as the night went on everyone was singing and drinking together. All of the locals were really keen on making sure I tried everything on the menu that sounded weird to me, especially because I have very animated facial reactions. I walked away with a few new friends that night.
When you meet new people and karaoke with them immediately.
So even after a second reflection on this topic, I think if you are brave and vulnerable, travel can expand your knowledge of yourself and your world view at the same time. It doesn’t have to be a band-aid for challenging emotions but it can be the break you need in order to get back on your feet strong and ready to move forward again.
This post also didn’t end up going in the direction I thought it would in all honestly, which is probably pretty similar to how travel goes.
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