Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Getting Over Your Fears
The most difficult part about traveling the world isn't the logistics of a trip—it's finding the motivation
to go in the first place. It takes a lot of courage to leave your life and journey into the unknown. It's the
step that most people never get past. For me, it took a trip to Thailand to get me to make the leap. For others,
it's a lot more difficult. Instead of the nudge I required, some people require a full-on shove.
While most of this topic will talk about the practical, financial side of travel, the first thing I wanted to tell
you is that you don't need to be afraid of traveling the world. It's only natural to second-guess yourself when
making a big life change.
And this is a big change.
One of the most common emails I receive asks me whether or not someone should travel the world. Do
they quit their job and go for it? Are they in the right stage of life? Will everything be OK if they leave? Will
they get a job when they return? These emails are peppered with nervous excitement over travel's endless
possibilities, but there is also always one underlying message in the emails: “Matt, I want to go, but I'm also
afraid. I need someone to tell me it will be all right.”
In my meetings with strangers, they ask me questions about my adventures. People are curious about my
travels, experience, and how I got started doing this. They dream of traveling the world. “It must be such the
adventure,” they tell me. “I wish I could do it.” And when I ask them what stops them, they come up with a
topic full of excuses as to why they can't:
I can't afford my trip.
I have too many responsibilities at home.
I won't be able to make friends on the road.
I don't want to be alone.
I have too many bills to pay.
I'm not sure I could do it.
I'm simply too scared.
With all that fear and doubt, it's easier for someone to stay home in his or her comfort zone than to break
out and travel the world. As the saying goes, “People go with the devil they know over the devil they don't.”
Home is our safe zone. We know it. We understand it. We may not always like it, but we get it, and that is
a powerful force. In the end, held back by their own fears, most people stay home, dreaming of that “one
perfect day” when they will finally travel.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search