Embracing the Novice: How Travel Builds Resilience and Opens Your Mind

Traveling with a novice mindset

Hey everyone! I recently took an incredible trip, and it's got me thinking deeply about the power of travel, not just as a break, but as a catalyst for personal growth. Today, I want to dive into two key themes that really stood out to me: embracing a novice mindset and building resilience.

Think about it: when you travel, you're stepping into the unknown. You're navigating unfamiliar streets, trying new foods, and maybe even struggling with a different language. It's a crash course in being a beginner again. And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing - It might even be the intellectual fountain of youth!

The Power of Being a Novice

In our day-to-day lives, we often get comfortable in our routines. We become experts in our fields, masters of our daily tasks. But when was the last time you truly felt like a beginner? Travel forces you into that space. You're suddenly learning new rules, figuring out public transportation, and maybe even making a few embarrassing mistakes along the way.

On my recent trip, I had a moment of "novice" panic at customs in New Zealand. I'd brought some dates and tiny honey packets, thinking nothing of it. Turns out, they were a big deal! I had to completely rethink my assumptions about the timing and processes I would encounter at customs and immigration control. It was humbling, to say the least. But it was also a powerful reminder that I don't have it all figured out, and that's okay.

Being a novice is good for your brain. It challenges your assumptions, forces you to be present, and opens you up to new perspectives.

It reminds you that there's always more to learn and that being curious is a gift. I hope that it prompts me to be more curious and less inaccurately confident the next time I am in a new setting. 

Building Resilience in Real Time

Travel isn't always smooth sailing. Things go wrong. Tours get canceled. Buses get missed. Luggage gets lost. I had my fair share of those moments on this trip. One particular instance involved a canceled snorkeling tour in French Polynesia. I had envisioned this amazing underwater adventure, and suddenly, it wasn't happening. 

In that moment, I had a choice. I could sulk and get angry, or I could accept that which I could not change and pivot. I chose to pivot. I ended up relaxing by the pool and having a different, equally wonderful experience. That's resilience in action.

Travel provides a "sandbox" for building resilience. It throws challenges your way in a relatively low-stakes environment.

You're far from home, yes, but you're also on vacation. It's a chance to practice letting go of control, finding silver linings, and adapting to unexpected situations.

These are skills that translate directly to truly improving our everyday lives.

Why It Matters

Embracing a novice mindset and building resilience are crucial for personal growth. They help us:

• Combat perfectionism: Travel teaches us that things no amount of time, money or preparation can ensure things always go according to OUR plans. Finding our peace with that fact is the secret to a fulfilling life.

• Challenge our ego: We learn that we don't have all the answers and that making mistakes is part of the process.

• Increase adaptability: We become better at navigating change and finding solutions when things go wrong.

• Expand our worldview: We encounter new cultures and perspectives, which broaden our understanding of the world.

  
  

So, I challenge you: find your own adventure. It doesn't have to be a trip around the world. It could be trying a new restaurant, taking a different route home, or attending a local cultural event. Step outside your comfort zone, embrace the novice within, and build your resilience muscle. You might be surprised at what you discover.

What's your next micro-adventure? I'd love to hear about it!