Dealing with stress.

Expecting and accepting that things are going to get intense
and that not being happy every day is a key part of the whole experience.

BAD LUCK:

It’s inevitable. Try to avoid it, but don’t expect that to work. It’s sod’s law.
You’ll lose a bag, a wallet, maybe a passport (although hopefully not), you’ll miss a train, a bus, you’ll miss home, you’ll miss the trip you’re on before it’s even over, you’ll miss people you met and had to leave. You may have trouble communicating. The fact is, it will all be okay and worrying never solved anything. Take the facts as they are no matter what’s happened and do what you can from there, productively – after maybe having a twenty minute rant to someone, because that can just feel pretty good. Ask for advice, ask to borrow a charger, find an Internet cafe, do anything you can do to move forward.

MANAGING THE EVERY DAY:

If you’re travelling alone – please, call home! I know it’s tempting to suffer in silence. You don’t want to admit to your parents that you’re struggling with anything, you don’t want your friends at home to think you haven’t managed to make any new ones you don’t want your other half panicking that you’re lonely. The fact is, travelling isn’t for everyone and the people it is for, it isn’t for every single day. Swallow your pride and call your mum, your sibling, your friends- FaceTime your dog. Just don’t suffer in silence!

If you’re travelling together – try not to take it out on each other. Accept that you cannot and should not do every single activity together. Take walks independently, watch films separately, listen to music separately. Call friends, family, all of the above. Do not assume that just because you’re away you’re going to want to do everything together. You will bicker and argue. Sometimes you’ll be tired, grouchy, grumpy. That’s fine! Try to learn for yourself how you manage these emotions so it doesn’t end up blowing up in the other person’s face and turning into an issue that it needn’t.

Don’t assume your relationship is crumbling if things get a bit tough for a couple of days. The best thing to do is understand the other person. Give them space and comfort when they need it. Communicate. Don’t dwell on the bad stuff, don’t hold grudges – laugh it off and realise the beauty and wonder of everything you’re experiencing together. Being on the road doesn’t instantly mean everything is going to perfect all the time but it certainly helps!

Get involved with people! G Adventure tours and volunteering are a great way to meet others!

Ask people you meet personal questions, ask about people’s homes, their cultures; learn something new from everyone you meet and get their social media info before you depart so you can keep in touch and maybe even meet up again some day. Push yourself to speak to one person you feel a connection with and you’ll find yourself in a group in no time. We’ve made friends for life on our travels, and you will too. The bond you make in the abnormal is lasting and unique.

Don’t be afraid to invite friends and family from home to join you- in our experience many will be crazy enough to join you for a while and it will lift your spirits incredibly. You make memories that last forever whilst getting a taste of familiarity in an alien place. Win, win!

Hope this inspires you to take the plunge despite the negative possibilities! Any questions, please comment. And thanks for reading!