TOP 10 LEARNINGS ON MY SOLO TRAVELS

​10. Solo time isn’t boring, it’s a gateway to new ideas

People who heard me wanting to travel solo (and believe me there were many who wanted to join me) said OMG won’t you be bored.  What they don’t know is that I was gifting it to myself on my big 40th birthday not just as a present but as a meditative practice.
 
When you have no tasks to worry about, people to take care of, and work to go to you get put in a space of peace and potentially joy.  For me it’s a meditative practice to travel and disconnect from my responsibilities for a short time to open the space for new ideas, new people, new opportunities, and new anything that can come to mind now that I have more time dedicated to think about it.  It’s a free open canvas.
 
How often to we get that opportunity in our day to day?  We don’t get them too often normally but having these experiences travelling gave me the ideas on how to add more of that and even help others with it.  PLUS, it opened up my energy to figure out ways to add more fun and amazing things to the people in my life and even at work.
 
Space, peace isn’t boring, its opening up a gateway to new ideas and all you have to do is allow it.
 
ASK YOURSELF:  When was the last time to spent quality time with YOU?  How can you incorporate more you time in your day?

Mykonos, Greece

​9.  You either growing or dying.

When I first heard Tony Robbins say that I was taken aback by those harsh yet truthful words.  But the truth is I see evidence of this everyday.  The people who haven’t found meaning and joy in their lives are often the one’s biding time and withering away.  I know because I have some of those in my own family.
 
The moment that you stagnate, which is normal and part of life, what you can do is to start appreciating what you’ve experienced already.  In the moment you are able to do that you give more meaning to your life.  This feeling can then translate into wanting more and adding more to that because it helps you recall the feelings behind it.
 
Don’t let those times go to waste.  Take advantage and do something! Whether its travelling, learning something new, meeting new people, or having some new experience … do something that will add more to your life than what you do day to day.  It’ll add perspective, energy, vitality and joy!
 
For me travel adds all those things.  It’s a multi-disciplinary treasure of energy that fills me.  If you’re game, travel can do that for you too!
 
ASK YOURSELF:  When was the last time you learned something, grew from something, and truly engaged your mind?

​8.  Travelling solo isn’t selfish, it’s necessary

So many don’t travel because they don’t want to be selfish and take away from family travel time, or responsibilities and engagements.  Having a day job, a couple of businesses, a child and family that rely me I can tell you that taking this time for yourself isn’t selfish its necessary.
 
YOU MUST FILL YOUR CUP.  Now you don’t have to do months away or even weeks away, do what you need to give you the time, space and peace of mind that you need to recharge.
 
What’s selfish is not recharging while giving away your energy and time to tons of  other people all the time.  They in fact are depleting you and taking away from your needs and not always in an obvious way.
 
Love yourself by taking the time to travel and recharge outside of your everyday.
Then you can actually share the experience and bring people with you next time!
 
ASK YOURSELF:  In what ways can you love yourself more and be selfish and in order to have more and be selfless (time, money, energy)?

Santorini, Greece - Sunset

​7. YOLO is a BS motto to LIVE BY, LIVE passionately everyday

After travelling with groups, with family, with single friends, with my son, and now alone I can tell you that travelling because YOLO is BS.  I certainly don’t just plan to do what I love with travel because I’m afraid of not doing it in the future, or dying prematurely, or only having 1 opportunity to do so.
 
I’m not going to start smoking just because YOLO since I’ve never done it before it. It has to be something meaningful that I’d definitely want to potentially do more than once.
 
In fact, now that I’ve done it, I’m planning to do more, with and without people, to close and are away places, for business, pleasure and everything in between.
 
WHY?  Not because YOLO. BUT because I LOVE it. I’m passionate about it, and I want to.
 
ASK YOURSELF:  What have you limited to bucket lists or yolo experience that you want and could potentially have more than once?

​6. You don’t just learn about people, you embrace a culture

One of my friends said you become more empathetic towards people and I absolutely agree.  You learn about their land, history, language etc. and I definitely did that as I went to all the different sites in Greece, tasted the various food, learned some Greek, and truly embraced the people and who they have become.
 
It made me appreciate them so much more and respect how their people/culture have influenced our own language and way of life.  You definitely can’t get that from just reading history books.
 
Experiences are what truly help you learn.
 
ASK YOURSELF:  What new experiences can I embrace?  Where can I learn and grow?  What country has been on my list?

Santorini, Greece

​5. It’s not about escaping reality, it’s about enhancing it

So many people want to leave their lives while they are on vacation because they work too hard, work too long, and use up all their energy.  While vacations definitely help replenish your energy, it’s not about escaping your reality because of this.  It’s about going out and exploring outside your typical day to day life, to enhance it.
 
When I went to Greece this past month (July 2018), I learned so much about the culture, history and its people.  Its not only taught me a whole lot but replenished my soul.  It enhanced my view of my life and the world as I watched a whole other people live and love life in difference ways. 
 
ASK YOURSELF:  Next time you go on vacation, ask yourself instead of escaping how can I enhance my current life while I’m away.

​4. It’s not about being alone, it’s about self-discovery

Everyone asks me why in the world I chose to travel alone this time. Did you not find anyone to go with you?  (no, everyone wanted to fit in my suitcase) Did you want to escape your family? (no, I love them all and travel with them often) Did you want to be alone because of overwhelm? (no,  I’ve learned how to balance my life with work/play)
 
One of the main reasons I chose to travel alone is because I wanted to explore MYSELF more deeply, aside from the place/people/culture I’d get to know.  If you are constantly around others, doing things, going places, and handling your day to day business so to speak, how will you ever learn yourself?  Did you know that most people are a mashup of other peoples likes/desires/choices.  They say you are most like the 5 closest people in your life. 
 
Why?  Because proximity is power.
 
So if you are alone, you have no one to change/guide/influence you.  That means at every second of every day you get to make choices based on your own desires with no one pushing or swaying you to do x, y, z.  Talk about an amazing way to know yourself.
 
For a fun way to see this lesson watch Runaway Bride with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

ASK YOURSELF:  What area of my life do I want to explore more intimately alone?

Turkey, Asudasi - Silk worms, threading a rug, final rugs

​3. It’s not about unplugging, its learning to be at peace anywhere

Now don’t get me wrong I did occasionally unplug in terms of not using the phone to enjoy the sites, talk to people, and embrace the food and culture.  But my goal wasn’t to completely disconnect from the world.  I actually do enjoy relating to people online, and sharing my experiences.  I also kept in touch with my family and son.  Even thought it was a great vacation I did miss them just a little J 

What I did want more of was to learn how to bring harmony to the various aspects of my life – online, in person, or otherwise.  That is the key skill that helps you get back to your day to day without feeling like you’re being tossed into a fire and in need of another vacation.
 
If we could learn to connect to ourselves and listen to our true desires and needs, we would be able to make decision based on this and live a more peaceful and balanced life.

Patmos, Greece - Walkway to Cave where Apostle John wrote Revelations

Quick story about life in Greece:  They actually do the Eurostyle 2-3 hours siesta in the middle of the day but instead of going to nap like the Spaniards do, they go to the beach.  After all they have tons of islands to choose from.  Then they go back to work until 8 or so.  Not a bad life to live even if it does extend your day!    What if instead of taking that smoke break, we take a walk in the park, around the block, to the otherside of town, whatever you can manage?  What if you find a different way to get to work and back?  What if instead of putting your head down when you pass by someone you don’t know, you say hello?  What if you just do something different that adds someone new and fun to your life?
 
ASK YOURSELF:  What can I do to live in more peace and harmony with my own life?

​2. It’s not just about the beaches; it’s exposure to the unknown

I love the beach and the pools. Those are great memories to have with family and friends.  But what I will never forget is what I get a glimpse of outside of my own life that I would never have known if I didn’t travel outside my comfort zone. And by the way it doesn’t necessarily have to be another country.
 
Vacations can include everything you desire – relaxation, good food, drinks, people and it can include an education of a lifetime.  You won’t get to that if you don’t travel outside your comfort zone.
 
Folks in the states (USA) are notorious for staying in their own state, and even their own city.  In Europe it’s a different lifestyle of traveling to the next country for the weekend, learning languages, tasting different foods, and taking advantage of options.  When was the last time you travelled to another state to do something different rather than visiting a relative or going to the Florida beach?
 
One of the things I received in my College Education is training to love exposure to a little bit of everything. I took classes from philosophy to art, from chemistry to Women’s studies, from computer science to visual arts (which ended up being my major and minor by the way).  So maybe I learned early on that learning new things outside of my comfort zone was interesting and sometimes even fun!
 
People are very used to being comfortable, and travelling the path most travelled.  In the past it kept us safe from danger.  What we might consider doing as we get older is becoming daring and open.  The best way to learn and grow is to expose yourself to things you’ve never seen or done.  After a while it becomes easy, exciting even FUN!
Broaden your MIND!  And then you can help others do the same by sharing it.
 
ASK YOURSELF:  Where can I take the road less travelled and risk in order to add more joy and fun to my life?

​1. Travelling IS Investing in your soul

You can buy a car, a ring, or a new big screen TV but that will only last a while.  Every time you fly somewhere you’ve never been, meet someone you didn’t know, eat something you’ve never tasted, and watch a sunset over a new town you’ve never seen – you’re investing in your soul.
 
I have to thank my dear friend Brian for that one.  When he said that to me after we met up to review our experiences and compare notes on our various trips he mentioned that beautiful phrase to me and I whole heartedly agree.
 
I didn’t take a vacation to vacate my life, I took a journey of a lifetime to invest in memories for my soul.  And these are irreplaceable, immeasurable and unforgettable for all the reason #1-10 that I’ve mentioned above.

ASK YOURSELF:  What experience would you like to have that help you invest in your soul?

Crete, Greece - Palace of Herakleon Historical Excavations

Need a push to invest in your soul?

Book a 45 min discovery session with me or join the Purpose with Passion Bootcamp.  I'd love to help you continue your life as an adventure!

Your Purpose Coach,
​Teany