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Writer's pictureBegum Unal

Traveling with Intention: Navigating Pre-Travel Jitters and Embracing Adventure

Updated: Sep 5

We're just five days away from my first ever journey to Latin America, and the mix of excitement and nerves is palpable. It's classic me - oscillating between various thoughts and emotions.


Traveling... It's a concept that excites me the most, yet I can't help but feel a tinge of anxiety every time before I embark on a new adventure. Have I spent a lot of money, again? Will everything go smoothly en route to my destination? Will I finally put together my content and publish them? Can I control my spending once I'm there? These uncertainties bother my head, preventing me from fully immersing myself in the excitement. It is tempting to believe that many people's travels are flawless, judging by their Instagram feeds; but does social media genuinely reflect the reality? We all encounter unforeseen challenges; the true test lies in how we navigate them internally. Despite my ongoing efforts to deal with these uncertainties, at 29 years and some months old, it often feels like I'm starting from square one.


This upcoming excursion entails a tightly scheduled arrival, with a bus ride followed by the task of finding a trustable taxi driver upon disembarking and passing through customs.... So, these logistical concerns are the main part of my anxiety. Yet, once I've tackled it all, my mindset will possibly shift to "We live once, so, let's spend like there is no tomorrow." These concerns together with some others truly bother me. So, I promised myself to work on them more, and improve things.


By the way, it's worthy to highlight that despite pre-travel jitters and lack of perfection, my excursions are mostly very fun. I'm just working on how I can handle less pleasant moments better to elevate the experience.


This journey commences on Sunday, March 31st, end of a week, a month, a quarter - an auspicious time for someone like me, who believes in the magic of fresh beginnings. So, this journey is a great opportunity.

The intention of this trip is simple: to savor every moment and return home rejuvenated. I've outlined a set of personal do's and don'ts -- perhaps you, dear reader, may find them beneficial as well. These points may seem like common knowledge, yet amidst the hustle and bustle, they're easily overlooked. Hence, I've chosen to write them down, serving a gentle reminder.


  1. Maintain a positive mindset: Think positive, believe that everything will be fine. Flight delayed? Missed the bus? There's always a next opportunity. Stay calm and adaptable.

  2. Stay hydrated: Water intake is crucial for your health. Even if many public toilets are filthy and you hate going to them, your body needs water. When you don't drink, you feel even worse.

  3. Morning stretch: With a long day ahead, take a moment for self-care. Prepare yourself mentally and physically for the day's adventures.

  4. Embrace the present: Every moment you live is unique and it won't be back. It's your holiday, let your brain relax a bit. Live in the moment, enjoy your drink. Don't over do things. You won't be awarded for overdoing... Find a balance between capturing memories and living them fully. You don't need the social media during the day. Take the pics of moments that you'd love to look again during the day. Then, at the end of the day or the next morning, make some time for your content.

  5. Write things down when they are fresh: Amidst the whirlwind of new experiences, take the notes of the moments, which attracted you the most and which got you excited the most. Because you love writing things. Of course, you can't walk around taking notes all the time. Take small writing breaks and while you enjoy the morning breeze next morning, you could extend those notes to texts.

  6. Budget wisely: Be mindful of your expenditures. Of course, you should get gifts to your close circle. But don't over do it. Write your list down. Who is getting a gift? Allocate the budget and get meaningful gifts, not just any gift.

  7. Prioritize self-care: Make sure to dress in a manner that makes you feel good. It's normally ok to have a bad hair day, but not on holidays. You don't want to look at your pics later on and wish that you made your hair or put on some make up. You don't need to be the one that gets ready earlier than everyone else and wait for others while killing time.

  8. Be flexible: While it's natural to crave structure, accept that life is unpredictable. As said earlier, keep your smile on and be flexible. Maintain a resilient attitude in the face of setbacks.


These notes serve as part of my pre-trip preparations, penned from the comfort of my study desk, enjoying the warmth of spring sunlight. I'm feeling that my excitement for the adventures that lie ahead has just leveled up after taking the time to write things


Looking forward to making memories on the other side of the world.


Cheers,

B


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