Independence | “Don’t be scared to walk alone, don’t be scared to like it”
It’s been a funny few weeks – I won’t go into too many details but let’s just say a few things have happened lately that have really forced me to step up and act like an adult. It’s pretty easy when travelling to feel like you’re 18 and invincible, that nothing can touch you and that somehow you’re just evading all the bad things in life. Often you’re just so overwhelmed by the goodness and kindness of people that you wonder if you had them all wrong when you were back home working that 9-5 job and getting stressed out constantly by the behaviour of others. I’m not going to deny that bad things ever happen when you’re travelling, but to be honest they don’t very often – at least nowhere near as often as people warn you that they do. But when they do, it’s a shock, it brings you back down to earth with a bump after months of soaring along with your head in the clouds. Don’t worry, everyone, including myself are okay – if anything, I’m being a bit dramatic. Why? Well it all goes back to a conversation I had the other week with a friend about the situation, something she said really struck me and made me think.
When asked about life back at home, I told her that I don’t really get homesick – yes I miss the people, the moments and the history, but I don’t think I have once spent a day pining for home. I know some find homesickness a real problem when travelling and I’ve had friends who can be down for days on end if something sets off those feelings, but that’s just not me. I was never homesick when I went to university either, I think I’m just used to dealing with the feeling of being separate and I’m a very logical person who will always reason with herself that family and friends are always at the end of the phone. My friend, who does get homesick and has been missing home lately, commented on how independent I was and seemed surprised by it. Especially when she realised that I had travelled so far across the world by myself and was unafraid to tackle Asia and Australia solo. I’ve had this reaction multiple times since planning my travels and setting out – it’s something that just seems odd to me and perhaps highlights that it is still thought of as unusual for a young woman to be “brave” enough to be on her own and to be completely independent. Don’t worry – I’m not going to start quoting BeyoncΓ© songs to you, but I do want to make the point that I think it is a huge compliment to say that someone is so very independent.
Independence is vastly underrated – whether is financial, emotional, physical or even mental, there is nothing more valuable than the ability to be on your own and still be happy. Too many people in this world are relying on the behaviour of others to make them happy, but wonder why they are always left disappointed. They don’t seem to appreciate that you have no control over the behaviour of others, ultimately if they want to mess you around or treat you badly, you can’t do anything about it except adjust your own attitude. I’ve forgiven people for some pretty horrid behaviour over the years and sometimes I’m asked why – I always respond, because it doesn’t have any impact on me beyond being upset. That person has to live with the knowledge of how they have treated me and my hating them for it will only make me unhappy and bitter – why would I want to introduce that unhappiness into my own life? As I said on my Facebook page the other day – not relying on others to make you happy is the greatest power of all. By being able to make yourself happy through fulfilling your own goals, setting your own challenges and comforting yourself in times of strife, you give yourself the key to happiness. Solo travel is a great way to learn that, but it’s something we should all learn in our own lives – other people can make your life better but only you can make it great.Of course we need others to bring light into our lives in other ways – to put a smile on our face after a hard day, to crack a joke when we’re mad, or do thoughtful things, but what happens on the day when they aren’t there? You need to be able to build yourself back up instead of just expecting others to do it for you. I’ve always been a very independent person, but before coming travelling I was a lot more emotionally dependent on others. Travelling solo has given me the space and the time to get to know myself better, it has meant learning to look after myself when times are tough and boy, have they been tough sometimes. I remember being pulled out of a crashed minibus which was half buried in a ditch, I’d been thrown against the windscreen and would have gone through it if it weren’t for the driver grabbing hold of me. I stood on the side of the road with blood pouring from my legs, with a group of Cambodians who spoke barely any English, and remember thinking, I genuinely don’t know if I’ll make it out of this one. Being in a situation like that, being forced to look after yourself and to get yourself to safety in a city that is still a hundred miles away is quite a challenge. But I did it, and I’m a stronger person for it. Now I don’t want anyone to go through anything like that, but there are ways to teach yourself the value of independence without putting yourself in danger.
Just taking a tiny step outside your comfort zone and doing it all by yourself is the most valuable experience of all – it can mean disappearing off one day and exploring a place you’ve never been before, forcing yourself to eat out alone, dealing with something complicated all by yourself instead of seeking help from parents or a partner. All of these are things I do on a daily basis now – I love to eat out alone, I love the satisfaction of managing to deal with a problem completely by myself or turning up in a place where no-one knows me and no-one in the world knows where I am. Some people call that brave, I call it just living my life one step at a time and taking chances. So far it’s paid off better than I ever could have imagined and it could be the same for everyone. Being independent is one of the most empowering feelings I have ever known. Some say to love and be loved is the greatest thing of all, but I think that being brave enough to say “I got this shit” to yourself and to others every damn day and proving it again and again is the one to aim for. Don’t ever think independence is a lonely place – I’ve never been surrounded by and had the support of quite so many amazing people who I know love me and would do anything for me as I have lately – what brought us all together is the fact that we all kick ass independently.
Do you consider yourself independent? How else can we gain independence? When’s the last time you went off the grid?
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robbarcruises
Being by yourself with no one to help you or understand you can feel like you are in space, just you. Each new struggle equips you for the next one or at least gives you strength to move to next step. Being independent is fine , having access to support or contact is a life’s journey. We forget at times that though we loath asking for help , people are willing to respond, well most are if you ask.
LucyRuthnum
It can be so good to feel entirely self-reliant at times – I think it is only when this happens that we truly know what we are capable of. It’s always good to have a support network, just not to be totally reliant on it – people are always willing to help – it’s human nature, but being able to have their support whoe, you deal with the problem is the best way in my view
robbarcruises
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M&MFASHIONBITES
Nice photos π
BLOG M&MFASHIONBITES : http://mmfashionbites.blogspot.gr/
Maria V.
LucyRuthnum
Thanks Maria!
Lizzy
Great post (and hope you’re okay!). It’s weird, in my final year of university I became really independent, and I was never happier- I lost weight, was exercising regularly, eating healthily, started a long-distance relationship and my anxiety completely lifted in a way I’d never experienced before, and it made me so independent- I would do everything and anything I wanted and actually wasn’t scared to do it. It’s sad to say but I’ve become less independent the past 2 years in most aspects of my life. Whilst moving to Australia might seem like an independent/confident thing to have done and I haven’t felt homesick or anything, anxiety has really crippled me again and changed me. However, I feel like I am finally tackling it again- so i’m hoping it will improve! I’m really hoping to get back to the carefree person I was a few years ago!
Lizzy from Nomad Notebook | Travel & Lifestyle Blog
LucyRuthnum
Thanks Lizzy – all fine π no worries – everything is good now. that’s so good – I know what you mean, it was the same for me at university – I finally took complete control of my own life and loved it. It’s so great when you have that burst of feeling invincible. You did an amazing thing by relocating to Oz and that’s great you haven’t been homesick, but so sad that anxiety has hit you like this. Perhaps this was your body and mind’s way of coping with such upheaval – I’m so glad you’re tackling it though, these things kinky get worse if left so I’m sure you’ll be back to you in no time! Xxx
robbarcruises
Lizzy, the fact you recognize you changed and want to get back to a better you, your old self , is progress , keep on taking those small steps. Lucy suggested it could ones body and mind adjusting to ‘holy crap’ this is it , my life is now here (my words)
When we moved from Alberta (Canada) to Vancouver island, we moved from minus zero, loads of ice and snow to a climate like England where green grass and mild rains was the new norm. First two years , one wore light clothes and no coughs. Third year, looking for warm clothes, turning the heat up , flu shot, coughs.. Now we are Islanders and love the rain and fog. Took awhile to find good friends one could chat with and hunker down with a warm brew… All the best ,, Aussie’s are great , least family lives there tell us that and are available if you can get them away from the footie game.
My anxiety is how to keep ahead of my grandchildren … / lol
Justine
I love this post. It really got me thinking. Thanks! Refreshing to read something so different! Xx
LucyRuthnum
Thanks Justine – οΈglad you enjoyed it!
Pops
Great post π
LucyRuthnum
Thank you!