INA WO(A)NDERS: More serenity through traveling?
“So how was it?” “Hell!” Especially on my journeys by water, it sometimes happens that things don’t go the way I imagined.
For example, a few years ago in the Mediterranean. I had promised a client that I would come to Germany for two weeks in the fall. But as my departure date approached, our sailboat was still 300 miles from our winter quarters: we were in Greece, and my flight was departing from Sicily. And so we made a fatal sailing error: we set sail even though the weather forecast was bleak.
The first 24 hours were relatively uneventful, but then all hell broke loose. We battled through one thunderstorm after another, unruly waves tossed us back and forth like pogo dancers, the wind whipped from all directions, and it poured with rain. Finally, the engine failed because the rollercoaster ride had loosened deposits in the diesel tank and clogged our filters. Disheveled and with limited maneuverability, we finally approached Syracuse, where the Coast Guard escorted us to the safety of the harbor.
Extreme situations can recalibrate us
A week after this nerve-wracking sailing trip, I found myself stuck on a train in Germany. "Technical problem," was the diagnosis. And while I often find German trains almost eerily quiet compared to some other countries, things quickly got lively here. Some people just puffed and groaned, others shared their worst train stories at length, and a gentleman in the next compartment loudly berated the train attendant.
The stress symptoms around me reminded me of the previous week on the high seas: constant checking of the clock. Worry lines etched ever deeper into faces. Increased heart rate. Moaning and cursing. I, on the other hand, remained completely relaxed.
Goodbye comfort zone: a training camp for more serenity
My last sailing trip had somehow recalibrated me. It helped me differentiate between real stress (Help, will we survive this?) and everyday stress (Maybe I won't make it to my appointment on time!).
However, you don't necessarily have to throw yourself into life-threatening adventures in order to go through life a little more calmly afterwards.
With every trip, we venture a little further out of our comfort zone. Along the way, we hear foreign languages, eat different food, have to navigate unfamiliar surroundings, and encounter unfamiliar customs, cultures, and weather phenomena. So, it's no wonder that, with all this diversity, things don't go smoothly: we find ourselves stranded far from our dream beaches, fall into tourist traps, and make cultural faux pas.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Travel mishaps are a part of being on the road – and often remain particularly memorable. The bus that never came, forcing us to hitchhike. The restaurant visit after being stranded for two days. Or 60 knots of wind and fear for our lives. All these stories from outside our comfort zone become integral parts of our vacation narratives.
And looking back, we can say: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Or at least more relaxed – I'm convinced of this after almost nine years as a digital nomad. The more often I leave my comfort zone, the more forgiving I become of the world. I let things slide, get up faster, brush the messy hair back from my forehead, and straighten my crown. Because I've learned to accept that not everything always works out.
What were your worst travel mishaps – and what were their consequences? Do you have any tips for more serenity, whether on the road or in everyday life? I'm always happy to receive feedback, suggestions, or questions – feel free to leave a comment or email me directly. [email protected].
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© Photos: Pexels / Rachel Claire, Andrew
Ina Hiester
Ina is a digital nomad and travels through Europe by land and sea. The journalist is always on the lookout for special places for Good Travel, philosophizes about travel in her column, takes photographs, makes music and writes articles on all kinds of environmental and sustainability topics.
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