A Word to Those Who Might Think I’m Superwoman
Seriously, let’s get one thing straight: “SuperLass” I AM NOT!
No Way, no Superwoman here. And if that’s the impression all my many (yes, agreed, mostly positive) travel tales here have somehow given you, then I sincerely apologize. For nothing could be further from the truth.
I honestly tried my level best on my “About” page to correct any such wrong impression:
“By now you probably think I’m a tad crazy. Some lunatic that is utterly fearless, and likely has a trust fund to finance her incessant globe-trotting ways.
And you’d be WRONG.”
Indeed, “fearless” and “trust fund” are both completely beyond my humble realm. Like most of you, I have neither a trust fund to finance my many global dalliances, nor am I devoid of reliably (and painfully) frequent moments of self-doubt, loneliness and depression.
And I’ve certainly not shied away from telling-it-like-it-is when it comes to Getting Robbed in Vietnam! and embracing a porcelain throne all night in a Mongolian hostal bathroom (I mean – who sips “fermented mare’s milk” in a Mongolian ger and then doesn’t expect to get *serious dysentery* because of it?)
Ah but apparently some who read my tales here apparently gloss-over my publicly shared weaknesses and travel mishaps, as lately I’ve had some disturbing private messages remarking that “I wish I were like you, but…”.
UGH!
The very LAST thing I want to do here is give the impression that I’m some self-assured, bold Superwoman – able to leap tall countries, and make infallible travel decisions at every turn. An alleged Super Lass – capable of travel feats somehow above and beyond what you couldn’t possibly do yourself.
Yes, I’ve had quite a lot (30+ years) of travel experience, inching my way to ever more bold travel adventures. But that doesn’t mean that I too, don’t have qualms and trepidations when it comes to deciding my next move. Nosireee – no less doubts than a total newbie might have hopping on her first solo flight to say, London or Amsterdam.
Nope – doubts galore here. Quite honestly, no matter how many times I’ve hopped a plane to some new foreign land – I still get the jitters and worry how I’m going to handle whatever lies ahead in a country where I don’t speak a lick of the language. Seriously. Truth be known, I even had a few jitters the morning I flew from Cuenca to the Galapagos Islands forgoodnessake! I kid you not.
The only thing that might set me apart from that newbie heading to Amsterdam, is that I’ve learned that the rewards for pushing forward through those fears and doubts, are oh so worth the (more often than not utterly unfounded) risk.
More importantly – after nearly 5 continuous years of living and traveling in more than a dozen foreign lands – I’ve learned how to recognize the nascent signs of self-doubt and depression, make swift and deliberate efforts to push such self-defeating thoughts aside, and take care of myself. Indeed, rather than dwell on such negatives and allow them to overwhelm me, I take positive action: treating myself to a little get-away or a day of pamper, or just buying myself a bouquet of flowers.
So I guess what I’m saying here is – if you think I’m some sort of fearless ROCK. That my day-to-day travel journey is somehow a walk-in-the-park compared to your self doubts and trepidations – think again.
Yup, sometimes I feel like this…
Yes, yes – every effusive, glowing positive word here is the absolute TRUTH. I have indeed seen some truly amazing things, and had more than my fair share of fabulous experiences. But that doesn’t mean every blessed moment of these past 5-6 years has been one big non-stop fun-fest. That there haven’t been pleeee-enty of moments of doubt. Indeed many full days, even full weeks of ack and worry, serious sickness, maddening frustrations, and borderline serious depression.
But I rarely choose to write about those days – not only because you (be honest) aren’t about to tune in here to listen to me whine and moan (and why on earth would you?) But more importantly – I don’t choose to give in to such negativity nor take the trouble to put such moments into words.
Because we ALL have those same such moments, no matter if we’ve chosen to cling to a nice, neat, easy-peasy job (that we half-way – but not really – like) in our cozy native land, or choose instead to shop for chicken with the head and feet still on amid a sea of gibberish in some foreign land. Either way, we all have our fair share of self-doubt and yukky moments.
Indeed, the way I figure it – if I’m naturally destined to to be periodically glum and/or have to wrestle with some acky life-issue that’s been (seemingly randomly, and always unfairly) tossed my way – I’d much rather do it whilst otherwise gawking at yet another world wonder and bumping into serendipity in the globe’s most exotic corners, no?
What can I say? No.Way.Jose. is my day-to-day life some perpetual cake-walk, and no way is the TravelnLass some uber-confident, ever-gleeful Superwoman. Nonetheless, I can only repeat:
You too can do WHAT.EVER.YOU.LIKE.
Just don’t expect it to be ever smooth-sailing – no more than your life slouched on that couch watching reruns of “House” is one everlasting Love Boat episode. We ALL have to face our unique fears and self-doubts, no matter what sort of life we choose for ourselves.
Granted, the occasional bout of insecurity/depression seems to loom a bit more daunting when you’ve chosen to leave the snug cocoon of your native land in favor of skipping off to some far-flung foreign land. But in reality – such ups and downs are little different. It’s just a matter of how we choose to handle the curve-balls, and how much we wallow in the self-doubt.
In short, my whole point in sharing these many tales of “dodderin’ derring-do” here at TravelnLass – is to hopefully INSPIRE you to likewise follow your own travel dreams.
Of COURSE you’ll have doubts.
Of COURSE you’ll have challenges.
Of COURSE you’ll have a few down days.
But no way does it take some super-human powers nor utterly fearless nature. Just a matter of knowing yourself, recognizing when you need to take care of yourself, and reaching for your dreams…
nor big ol’ “S” on your chest!
About the Author
Dyanne Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I’ve always lived life “like-a-kid-in-a-candy-store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been: This ain’t a dress rehearsal, folks!
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Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion, and I’ve always lived life “like a kid in a candy store” – eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:
Oh … and here I was thinking you could fly 😉
Someone once said, ‘the hard times make you strong’. Think many have found that to be true.
“…and here I was thinking you could fly”
lol Ted – don’t.I.wish. It would surely save me a lot of money in air fares! 😉
Well said! I also stick almost exclusively to the positive in my blog, for the same reasons you list. Interestingly, I am in Amsterdam as I write this, enroute to Istanbul on Monday. One of the “oops” moments is that we did not realize tomorrow was Easter when we arranged this trip… Should have waited one more week.
Oh well, we’ll be in Turkey for the next 10 weeks, which should be something new. Doing a home exchange, so no rent or hotel to worry about too! 🙂
Yes, Burt – not only do I favor blogging about the positives rather than the negatives – I consciously live my entire life that way. No Pollyanna here, mind you, and I surely have my fair share of ack that I *could* dwell on. But that can easily become a vicious circle – and besides, such a waste of time!
Enjoy your stay in Turkey – I too am headed to Turkey and the Balkans in a few months.
Great post Dyanne and a good reminder to those who think travel or life outside one’s country of birth requires lots of money as well as lots of courage! I think it comes down to needing imagination and problem solving skills as well as a love for trying new things. Travel and expat living is a fabulous lifestyle choice for many people but we all carry along our “baggage” tucked into our backpacks and suitcases no matter where we go. Your point about confronting fears (many imaginary) is important because self-awareness and self-confidence increase each time we try something new and different!
All so true Anita – travel needn’t take boatloads of money, nor a great deal of courage. And yes, imagination, and I believe – a healthy gob of curiosity. Leastwise that’s always seems to be my carrot – I’m just incessantly curious to see for myself what each and every new corner of the world is all about.
P.S. Glad you’re enjoying Morocco (my fave!), and I’m still hoping to get to Portugal come fall…