10 things I learned from travelling in India:
1. Everything is temporary.
Doesn't it always seem as if bad days are longer than good ones? A three hour plane ride in the middle seat seems infinitely longer than one with an isle or window. A good night's sleep goes by in a flash where as a bad one seems like it will never end.
When travelling in India, I have had to remind myself numerous times that everything is temporary. Everything comes to an end. I won't be on this bumpy, stinky bus forever. I won't be holding triangle pose for the rest of time.
That goes for the good things as well. Enjoy the beautiful moments when you have them because they won't last forever. Everything is temporary. Everything ends. And something new is always ready to begin.
2. Accept help
I used to hate asking for help, or even accepting it when it was offered. I felt like a nuisance to the person helping me.
But it's pretty hard to get through travelling, especially in India, without at some point needing somebody's help. Whether you've had your wallet stolen are stranded with no money, or you're so sick you can even imagine moving, but desperately need water. You need help. I've been both the helper and the helpless, and I've found that when I'm the one doing the helping I enjoy doing it. Helping someone who needs it feels good. Since realizing this, I've become more open to accepting help when I need it. And as a result, I have accomplished things I maybe never would have otherwise, and made meaningful, lasting friendships along the way.
3. Not everybody has to like you. And not everybody will.
I have met a lot of people travelling and the great thing about it is that many of these people are like minded individuals who share my views on important things and have similar values. I've made a lot of lifelong friends. But I've also learned not everyone is my new best friend. I have also come across people who have no interest in getting to know who I am or what I'm about, for any number of reasons. And that's okay too. I just have to remember that whether or not this person likes me has nothing to do with me as a person.
Every person deserves the same compassion. Even if they don't treat me with kindness, I resolve to treat them better than they treated me. I don't know what they've been through, but I know what I've been through and I know that the kindness of others along the way is what has helped make me who I am today.
4. Trust your instincts
Travelling alone, you find yourself constantly coming across opportunities to experience amazing things. You meet so many people that want to show off their country or way of life. In order to experience these things, you have to trust.
I have found that in most cases, I get a certain vibe, be it good or bad, within a minute or so of meeting someone. I have a feeling of whether or not this person is wanting to help me or harm me. I have learned to trust these instincts and because of that, I've had some amazing experiences and avoided some potentially dangerous or not so great experiences.
Instincts are a beautiful thing. Learn to trust them and they will never lead you astray.
5. Things are only things
Possessions come and go often when you're living out of a backpack. Climates change and you have to leave clothing behind in order to make room for more weather appropriate attire. Things get ruined. You get stuck in the rain and your not so waterproof camera gets wet. Things get lost. Things get stolen. But I've learned through the impermanence of my few possessions that I can always live without it.
Sometimes we get so attached to our possessions that we care more about them than other people or the experiences we are having. Don't forget that things are only things. They come and go. Be okay with letting things go.
1. Everything is temporary.
Doesn't it always seem as if bad days are longer than good ones? A three hour plane ride in the middle seat seems infinitely longer than one with an isle or window. A good night's sleep goes by in a flash where as a bad one seems like it will never end.
When travelling in India, I have had to remind myself numerous times that everything is temporary. Everything comes to an end. I won't be on this bumpy, stinky bus forever. I won't be holding triangle pose for the rest of time.
That goes for the good things as well. Enjoy the beautiful moments when you have them because they won't last forever. Everything is temporary. Everything ends. And something new is always ready to begin.
2. Accept help
I used to hate asking for help, or even accepting it when it was offered. I felt like a nuisance to the person helping me.
But it's pretty hard to get through travelling, especially in India, without at some point needing somebody's help. Whether you've had your wallet stolen are stranded with no money, or you're so sick you can even imagine moving, but desperately need water. You need help. I've been both the helper and the helpless, and I've found that when I'm the one doing the helping I enjoy doing it. Helping someone who needs it feels good. Since realizing this, I've become more open to accepting help when I need it. And as a result, I have accomplished things I maybe never would have otherwise, and made meaningful, lasting friendships along the way.
3. Not everybody has to like you. And not everybody will.
I have met a lot of people travelling and the great thing about it is that many of these people are like minded individuals who share my views on important things and have similar values. I've made a lot of lifelong friends. But I've also learned not everyone is my new best friend. I have also come across people who have no interest in getting to know who I am or what I'm about, for any number of reasons. And that's okay too. I just have to remember that whether or not this person likes me has nothing to do with me as a person.
Every person deserves the same compassion. Even if they don't treat me with kindness, I resolve to treat them better than they treated me. I don't know what they've been through, but I know what I've been through and I know that the kindness of others along the way is what has helped make me who I am today.
4. Trust your instincts
Travelling alone, you find yourself constantly coming across opportunities to experience amazing things. You meet so many people that want to show off their country or way of life. In order to experience these things, you have to trust.
I have found that in most cases, I get a certain vibe, be it good or bad, within a minute or so of meeting someone. I have a feeling of whether or not this person is wanting to help me or harm me. I have learned to trust these instincts and because of that, I've had some amazing experiences and avoided some potentially dangerous or not so great experiences.
Instincts are a beautiful thing. Learn to trust them and they will never lead you astray.
5. Things are only things
Possessions come and go often when you're living out of a backpack. Climates change and you have to leave clothing behind in order to make room for more weather appropriate attire. Things get ruined. You get stuck in the rain and your not so waterproof camera gets wet. Things get lost. Things get stolen. But I've learned through the impermanence of my few possessions that I can always live without it.
Sometimes we get so attached to our possessions that we care more about them than other people or the experiences we are having. Don't forget that things are only things. They come and go. Be okay with letting things go.
