DON’T TRAVEL UNTIL…• 10 THINGS YOU MUST DO BEFORE TRAVELING

10 Things You Must Do before Traveling are not about documents, visas, tickets, hotels, restaurants or flights. There are more important things than those. Your belongings will keep you company, but they are not the most crucial things.

The items you pack will get you started, but one thing will help you keep going. Only one thing can guarantee that you will enjoy your journey and make the best and most of it. Meanwhile, you will remain confident even though you are in a foreign land for the first time.

And that one thing is your Mindset. I wish I had known the secrets that I am about to share before I started traveling myself. I would have felt more comfortable and confident no matter where I had gone. I had all the essential belongings with me on my journey. However, things get old and thrown along the way. Yet, memories don’t.

THE MIRROR • WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE LIVE HERE?

Once a young man came to a new city. He saw an old man sitting under the tree. Someone came and asked the old man, “Are the people here kind and nice or not?”

The old man asked, “What kind of people did you use to live with?”

“Nice people! They were so friendly.” -the man replied.

“Good! You will find the same kind of people here. Go ahead!”

The man was very happy and left after thanking him.

A few moments later, another man came and asked the old man about the people in that city.

“What were people like in your city?” -the old man inquired.

“Oh! They were awful! They would lie and try to manipulate.But, I want to live with nice people.” -he complained.

“The people in this city are the same.” -the old man replied and the man left. The young man who saw the whole thing, couldn’t believe in his ears.

“Why are you lying?” -he asked the old man. “They asked you the same question, but your answers were contradictory.”

“I had to tell them the truth.” -the old man said calmly. “We carry our world within ourselves. If we live and find wicked people in our own town, we will come across the same kind of people anywhere we go. This world, the people in it, the things that happen, they are like a mirror that reflects our Inner World back to ourselves.”

#1 FIND YOUR ANGLE

When a Chef travels, he sees the place that he is visiting from the “angle” of food. When an artist tours, he looks at the location from the “angle” of Art and Inspiration. If you are businessman, you try to discover the new land from the “angle” of opportunities.

Traveling is the same as living. We are born, eat, sleep and die. The World is vast and you can look at it from different angles. Yet, there’s only one that makes you feel at home and speaks to you. That angle is our purpose. We can eat, sleep and die without accomplishing anything if we just wander around with no goal.

Find your purpose. Find your angle. When you go to see the Ocean, you can not grasp it. If you bring your cup, it will be full.

#2 CONNECT

I had a friend years ago. She did not have enough money to pay her tuition, but she managed to graduate successfully. How? Through the Power of connecting with others. She put herself first, but respected others as well. She would never beg anyone, but intrigue them. If she could, she would help people. She knew almost the whole University.

To me, meeting new people was a challenge. Because, I craved for some time alone to read and write. For her, meeting new people was like an adventure. She was not needy, but witty and smart. She would not trust people easily, but observe first. Through that charm, she would connect with anyone.

She did not have even a phone, but she would always find one from one of her friends. Did she need a camera? She would let her network know about it, and a few moments later, the camera would be there. One of the essentials you need to “pack” within yourself is your ability to CONNECT.

#3 RESEARCH

Don’t judge if the people and conditions in the new place are different from what is in your country or what you have expected. You are going to explore new things, not to change the world.

In Japan people meet one another in a unique way. If you are going there, it is advisable that you do some research about it. Any country that you are visiting has its own traditions. When you follow them, you will show your respect for them and understand them better.

After all, going to another country, seeing wonderful sightseeings and taking pictures are amazing. But, the experiences and memories of pleasant time you spend with others will stay with you forever.

#4 STICK TO THE TRUTH

Say what you mean and mean what you say. Set your boundaries straight. Yet, remain calm and always speak your truth. Let people know what you are Ok or not Ok with. At the same time, leave some room for surprises and new things to learn from.

#5 MAKE ANYWHERE YOU GO HOME

Our true home is within. When we travel and feel like a stranger in a foreign land, we will not be able to enjoy our journey. Just because someone is home, it can’t guarantee their safety. Realize that this whole world belongs to every single one of us. When we die, none of us will be able to carry this world, not a dust with ourselves.

Thus, wherever you go is your home. Go with Grace. Meet with Courtesy. Leave with Self-respect. Make adventures your new home. Welcome every single soul! Accept the Best. Politely say No to the Worst.

#6 LEAVE FEAR BEHIND • TRAVEL PHOBIA

If you are anxious about your upcoming trip, then seek help. Practice meditation, Repeat Affirmations to stop Travel Phobia, or address a good therapist. Find the source of your anxiety attack and come up with the solution. We attract what we fear.

Your fear is simply warning you that bad things might happen. It’s a compass. When you feel excited and at least, ready to travel, then you can rest assured that you have cured your fear. Now, it’s time to go!

#7 START AT THE END

Before traveling, imagine that you have already returned home. You are talking to someone about your travel. You are so excited sharing all the details of your trip. You can’t talk enough about the amazing people that you met along the way. Start at the end. It will help you attract better people, better circumstances into your life while you are on a trip.

Place yourself in front of the mirror. Tell yourself everything about your journey. Count everything you want to incur as if they had already happened and now you are so happy that you embarked on that journey. Repeat this exercise until you feel excited about your upcoming journey.

#8 CREATE YOUR VISION BOARD

Collect and make your own Vision board of your Dream Travel. Where would you like to stay while traveling? What kind of people do you want to meet? Fun? Trustworthy? Kind? Be AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE. You don’t have to make a physical vision board, but a digital one.

The most important part of making a Vision board is to fix that Vision on your mind. Even when you have to leave that board, you need to hold that clear PICTURE of your perfect vacation on your mind. Thus, it will always be with you wherever you go.

#9 JOIN THE CLUB

Solo Traveling is not new anymore. However, the more people you have around, the more fun you can have. Make sure that you join a small group of people with the same mission. Check out! Some Tour Agencies organize group traveling for a few people. Talk to them. If you feel called to, join them.

You can also find out if there is a Book club in the country that you are visiting so that you can join. Maybe, you would like to volunteer. Perhaps, you will find the tour guides who organize trips for a group of tourists. Or, maybe, you will find your own way of traveling if you research a bit .

#10 THE LANGUAGES

Even within my country, people speak different slangs and use different pronunciations of the same language. Thanks to the Internet, we have a chance to educate ourselves on that before stepping into our destination. Knowing at least the essentials, such as asking for directions, food and place to stay, will make us feel more confident.

FUNNY AND PRODUCTIVE

Don’t get caught up in your fears, worries and uncertainty. Go with the flow. Take advantage of everything that comes your way. Start your travel Blog or Vlog. Document what you are going through. Share. It will help you connect with others who may be going through the same things as you are.

If you notice a business opportunity, take your chances. If you see a new meal, learn how to cook it. Find out how people live, make money, love, create art, cook, talk and what they do for fun and more where you go.

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