Earth is a beautiful planet. All the seas, vegetables, and differences in seasons are awful things. Unfortunately, we cannot just close our eyes and transport ourselves to the city, country, or continent we want to explore. We have to go through the process of planning and traveling to the destinations we want to see. It is normal to be scared of changing your environment and traveling due to the unforeseeable underlying circumstances. It is okay to have fear; however, what is not okay is letting it stop you from experiencing everything you wish you could. If you are someone who wants to conquer their fear of traveling, this one is for you!
Pinpoint Your Trigger
To work on your fear of traveling, you need to be able to pinpoint the parts of it that scare you. Is it the flight? Is it the change of environment? Is it the change in weather? Is it a social requirement? Whatever it is, you need to identify it. This is important because it helps you narrow down what you need to work on, and it helps narrow down what you need to overcome. Understanding what makes you so scared of traveling is the first step to conquering your fear.
Conduct Research
The most convenient thing that the internet has brought about is easy access to different information, which will help us understand all the things we need to know conveniently. Based on what you pinpoint as your trigger, research the destination. Research the flight, culture, norms, and weather of the destination to see whether it is conducive for you to travel without triggering yourself. Also, research all the safety steps that you need to take in case of emergencies and educate yourself so that you are well-prepared and less anxious.
Plan to the last dot
Preparing well will either make or break your experience, so you need to ensure that you do it well. Make sure you plan everything you intend to do when traveling. Planning helps you face your fear and equip yourself for it. Make sure you create a checklist and an itinerary so that you can prepare yourself for your experience. This will help calm you down and help you stay collected.
Pack Smart
You do not want your fears to manifest because you failed to pack well, do you? Packing is as important as the travel experience itself. Make sure you pack all your necessities. This includes your clothes, underwear, shoes, and favorite snacks. You also need to carry items that comfort you the most. This will help keep you calm throughout the experience. It may be a neck pillow, a doll, a chain, or any other item. As long as you can carry it, pack it. This will help you face your fear as you travel to explore the world that is waiting for you.
Stay Relaxed
Master relaxation techniques that help you stay calm. Anxiety breeds fear, and fear is what we want to stop. So to stop the fear, you need to practice relaxation. This may be breathing techniques that help cool you down or a hand cushion that helps you relax a lot better. Whatever it may be, just tap into it and allow yourself to relax throughout the trip.
Take It One Step at a Time
Rome was not built in a day. Likewise, you cannot fully overcome and conquer your fear in a day. You need to take it one day at a time. If you are afraid of getting out of your house, start slow. Start by going outside your front door, then go back inside. Gradually increase to walking to the street, going down the street, going into town, and visiting another town. Keep increasing the distance until the day you find yourself going to another city. Whatever your fear may be, tap into it little by little. Start slow and own it until you conquer it. Do not rush yourself.
Practice positive affirmations
Positive affirmations are very helpful when it comes to challenging negative thoughts. You need to learn to remove all the negativity that is within you and replace it with positivity. Continuously tell yourself how capable you are, how no fear has power over you, and how you decide what you want and not fear. You are the author of your own story, so tell yourself that and watch how big of a difference it will make in your life. This is a very important step that will aid you in conquering your fear of traveling.
Look for support circles
Support is very important when it comes to overcoming challenges. You need to find a group that supports you in conquering your fear. Having people who share your story with you and can relate to what you are going through is very helpful in your journey to conquering your fear. You are not alone and should not feel alone. Find a support group near you and engage with the people there. This will help you in your journey to conquering fear and traveling the world.
Go to therapy
Sometimes, try as we might, we may need more professional help than we anticipated. Nothing is embarrassing or disheartening about needing a little more help. If you find yourself wanting more support, then you should consider finding a therapist who will help you address your fear. Thoughts affect feelings, and feelings affect behavior, so you may need corrective cognitive-behavioral therapy to fully conquer your fear. If you need more help, find a therapist and get the help you need.