Travelling Alone – My First Solo Trip

When I started this blog, it was in part because I had a very clear memory of my first experience of travelling alone internationally. Although I’ve always loved exploring new places, I’ve never been a great fan of the “getting there” part. I’m tall with long legs, so plane and coach trips are uncomfortable. I’m also slightly claustrophobic and being confined with a crowd of people makes me anxious.

Even worse than that though, I’m a total control freak and so the thought of losing control is very scary indeed. When I used to commute on crowded trains, my heart would pound if I couldn’t easily see a way out – so being on a plane, thousands of feet up with no possible exit (at least, not one I would want to contemplate!) was pretty much guaranteed to have me freaking out.

For several years I got some very effective drugs from my doctor; so effective in fact that I apparently grinned happily like an idiot at everyone through some pretty scary turbulence that I don’t even remember! Whatever the downside, I always got to my destination safely, without attacking anyone or digging my nails too far into my then-partner’s arms.

We travelled a fair amount because we were in network marketing at the time and did our best to qualify for all the overseas junkets. When we were invited to a special meeting in Paris with the CEO of the company, who we both respected enormously, we were over the moon. Then – disaster! Two days before the meeting, my partner got a sinus infection and there was no way he could fly without risking his hearing.

What to do? What to do?

I really badly wanted to go, our business needed me to go .. but I had never flown alone before. I knew I wouldn’t be the only single female traveller, but I was terrified of making a fool of myself in front of everyone else (that of course is the big fear for control freaks; I never for a moment think the plane is going to crash). I also knew I would regret not going. And the flight was only an hour after all …

The trip was so short and we were going staight from the airport into the meeting with him so taking anti-anxiety drugs was out of the question; I would have been semi-comatose through the whole experience!

Then I remembered the words of my upline: “act as if …”. To me, that meant act as if I was an international businesswoman who took planes as easily as others took cabs. Act as if the airport was my second home. Act as if hopping on a plane to Paris was something I did all the time.

I started visualising the whole trip – from the stress-free drive to Gatwick airport, through checking-in, passport control, going to the gate (the usual signal for my stomach to start churning) … all the time seeing myself as calm, confident and poised. I visualised the window seat I would get, how I would sit relaxed through the flight and saunter through customs at the other end. I went through the visualisation several times, watching for any signs of tension in my body and spending more time on that aspect. By the time I had a few butterflies but I felt pretty confident .. and any time that confidence started to slip I thought “international business woman” and immediately felt better.

And it worked!

I had a blast! I absolutely adored that flight in my window seat (I wasn’t quite able to watch the landing through the window, that took a few more trips) – I could even stretch my legs! And the meeting was fantastic.

Now I regularly fly alone, to North America, the Middle East and many European destinations and in doing so I’ve picked up lots of tips that I’ll share in later posts.

So if solo travel frightens you or plane trips scare you – decide who you want to be and “act as if …”. The world will change according to how you think about it.

5 Reasons Why Singles Should Never Attend a Co-ed Surf Camp

Author: Me-Shell Mijangos

Sun tan lotion. Surfboard wax. Sand. Singles. Surf. Yoga. Palm trees. What a combination! A co-ed surf camp on the island of Maui. Can you picture yourself mingling with other healthy, adventure seeking, like minded individuals while indulging in a surf and yoga retreat? Who needs potential holiday romance while situated in paradise? Why not stay at home instead and try another blind date?

For those of you who are still determined to attend a co-ed surf camp, here are some other reasons to make you think twice:

Reason #1 You can meet other people with similar interests. Do you really need to meet other people with similar interests? Who needs more friends of either gender? Who has time for surfing with friends from all over the world? You may even want to catch up with them or go on vacation with them next year. What a drag!

Reason #2 You may meet your new love on a wave. Going to a co-ed surf camp could give you the potential to meet other singles or your true love. Could you picture yourself meeting other eligible singles in surf lessons and yoga sessions? Relaxing, unwinding, eating delicious meals…what an aphrodisiac! Imagine meeting other singles that already have a common interest for adventure, health and well-being.

Reason #3 A healthy environment to meet like-minded single people. Do you really want to pack up all your single friends and head off to a surf camp in Hawaii? Sun, sand, surf, singles, what a hideous combination. Wouldn’t you be better off trusting your luck at a singles bar with total strangers? Why would you be hoping to meet other singles at a surf and yoga retreat when you can sit behind a computer and try to meet singles? Does this mean that your mom will stop trying to set you up with her friend’s grown children?

Reason #4 Exercise your body and refresh your mind. A surf and yoga camp allows you to tone up your body splendidly while at the same time allowing your mind to unwind. Why would you wish for that? Tanned, taut, and terrific, all while on time out. This is no way to meet other singles. Don’t you prefer to look pasty white with a large winter coat on and a runny nose? A co-ed surf camp will allow you to free your mind while possibly engaging your heart.

Reason #5 You might have too much fun. You would be in serious danger of enjoying yourself at a co-ed surf camp. A co-ed surf camp will allow you to free your mind while possibly engaging your heart. Who wants that? This sounds like an equation for far too much pleasure and relaxation. Improving your well being while learning a new sport and working on your sun tan could be disastrous for your health and single life.

Why risk wanting to return next year to another surf camp? Do you really want all of your future vacations to be in sunny beach side locations chasing waves? Why would you want to go to a yoga and surf retreat that allows for guys and girls? Love could blossom amongst the hibiscus. Potential for romance while chasing waves. Palm trees, glistening surf, single tanned bodies. Maui or your living room. The choice is yours.

Article Source: <a href=”http://www.articlesbase.com/dating-articles/5-reasons-why-singles-should-never-attend-a-coed-surf-camp-311263.html”></a>

About the Author:

Me-Shell Mijangos, an ex-professional snowboarder, left the corporate world of NYC to follow her bliss in Maui, Hawaii. She is the founder of an all inclusive women’s surf camp called SwellWomen.   Two years ago, she started SwellCo-ed, a Surf and Yoga Experience for women, men and couples. She hopes to surf with you in paradise soon!   Visit her SwellBlog!

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