FEAR…. Forever - Evading - Alternate - Roads.
Are you afraid to travel alone? Fear is the biggest deterrent against living life as we wish to live it. I receive umpteen e-mails and messages from people, stating they would love to go to other parts of the world. But they are frightened to do it alone.
You may be worried about being attacked and robbed. What if you have an accident or become ill? Where will you stay and how will you cope on your own? Perhaps you even think you are too old, or maybe too young! The days pass, while you agonize over a thousand and one negative possibilities. You dream of traveling and visiting unusual places, but FEAR holds you back. You amble through life on your familiar, safe, everyday road. Woefully “forever evading alternative routes” Possibly never realizing that life begins when your comfort zone ends.
You feel scared about all the bad things that may or may not happen if you venture out of your safe little haven. Unhappily you find yourself imprisoned in a state of fear that prevents you from fulfilling your dreams.
Fear and I were old enemies! During many, years I lived every day afraid of this monster that controlled my life. I would get severe panic attacks on a regular basis. I feared crowds and queues. I avoided going alone to many places. In traffic jams, I would freak out, and as a result, I often left the car parked on the side of the road. I hated horrible heights! The mere thought of going more than two stories up would send me into a fluster. Consequently, I understand how difficult it is for those who suffer the same affliction.
Since I didn’t want to look back on my life and think “IF ONLY." I made up my mind that I would overcome my problem whatever it took. Believe me. I am living proof that We can all overcome our fears no matter how big or how small.
Hence I traveled the world solo, and it was just the best experience of my life. I went to the top of the incredible Trump Towers in New York, what a tragedy they are no longer. I happily crossed the deck of the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, unbelievable but a fact. I even enjoyed the bird's eye view from the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Dubai. I kicked the butt of all my jitters, apprehension and worries. You can too!
They say, “When you make friends with fear, it can no longer rule you. Never a truer phrase. There is only one way through! Do it! Go ahead and do it! Think of yourself as a cork in the sea. You will bob up and down, but never sink! Remember whatever happens in a faraway land can also occur in your home town. In my most difficult moments, I always ask myself. “What is the worst that could happen?” Normally not a lot!
Golly gosh, I can almost hear you saying, “Oh dear, I would be traveling alone!” No! My dear friends! You will hardly ever do that! Think about it! When you
fly, are any other passengers on the plane? Of course, there are. What is the plane were empty? For sure the pilot and the crew would be with you. The same applies to the trains, buses, and boats. In fact, sometimes you will probably wish you were the only one traveling.
Are you asking yourself where you would stay? Hostels are the answer. One of the reasons I stay at hostels is because they are cheap as chips. Plus, they offer so many amenities to make your stay perfect. Secondly, it is far easier to start chatting to people and even make friends. There is something about most backpackers that makes them very approachable. Before you know where you are, you will be happily conversing about this and that to one and all.
Concerned about falling ill? Not such a problem. Make sure you have a good travel insurance. Contrary to what many people imagine, most of the Asian countries are amazing when it comes to medical care. Thailand is beyond par. Singapore is a highly-developed country. Many Asians and Westerners go there for health treatment. India and Malaysia have first hospitals and doctors.
Believe me whatever your darkest imagination conjures up. The reality is far less scary. Live life to the fullest! Please don’t allow the feeling of anxiety and dread stop you from making the most of every minute that you are on this earth.
I am a firm believer that we should all follow our dreams. There is a beautiful Spanish song that says: - ‘My friend if you want to, you can and must."
Still got misgivings? Read this fantastic book: - Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway: How to Turn Your Fear and Indecision into Confidence and Action by Susan Jeffers
STILL GOT DOUBTS?
Not to worry! Due to the amount of emails I have received from ladies telling me they are scared to go it alone. I will soon be launching "BACKPACKERGRANNY TOUR GROUPS" I am very excited about this new project and I know we are all going to have so much fun. DO PLEASE KEEP INFORMED BY FILLING IN "FOLLOW MY BLOG "At the top of this page. Any questions you need to ask, don't hesitate to contact me below. I am here to help you as much as I possibly can. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark TwainFollow my Blog Enter your e-mail to catch my latest stories.
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