I recently took a two week trip to Thailand as a way to reset my mind. I have been working seven day weeks and long hours to build my first business from the ground up. The time off was a perfect way to pause all inputs and allow me to assess where I am both personally and professionally. I am a strong believer that if you are constantly bringing in information, you are never processing.

While traveling, I found it energizing how open everyone is to meet new people. Striking up a conversation with someone from another country was effortless, even if our beliefs, language, or values differed. While traveling, I found I finally gave myself permission to let my guard down and be vulnerable. In doing so, it allowed others to do the same and open themselves to new people and experiences.

I call this the traveler’s mentality.

This is in contrast to how things are at home: many of us, including myself, seem to be more defensive when meeting new people. Ironically, this is where you will learn and experience the most in life. At home, we tend to develop current relationships instead of cultivating new ones. Not to say that the former is bad but that the later offers so much untapped value.

Why is it that we are so confident and open when travelling yet fearful and sensitive at home? Why can’t we surrender our ego and expectations and have the travellers mentality during our day-to-day lives?

At the end of the day, everyone wants to be noticed and loved and deals with the same pains and fears. Yet, for some reason, it takes novel experiences and a perception of freedom to allow yourself to be vulnerable. When you show your true colours, you allow others to do the same for you.

A goal of mine in the coming months is to apply this traveler’s mentality to everyday life. To start conversations with people I would have otherwise shied away from. To break the barrier of fear we all have when meeting new people and when participating in new experiences.

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