Guest Post: Becoming a More Confident Traveller

Here’s another blog post I spotted recently that I just loved, and had to write immediately to Jamie Ridler to ask for permission to share it with you. Enjoy!

Just over a year ago, I set myself the goal of becoming a more confident traveller and boy, did that start a great adventure! Since then I’ve been to the Kripalu Center in the Berkshires of Massachussets, to Portsmouth, to San Francisco, to Portland and to Halifax and the surrounding area. Every step along the way has invited a little more stretching and I’ve gained a little more experience and a lot more confidence. I’ve gathered amazing tips and strategies from so many of you, ranging from how to deal with my fear of flying to where to stay in Paris.

Yes, Paris!

After years of dreaming – and several appearances on my dreamboards and my vision cards – we are going to France. Justin and I are celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary with this trip. And though we were married in February, we’ve decided to travel in the spring, heading first to Paris and then to Avignon to explore Provence and then down to Nice to experience the French Riviera!!

This is an amazing next step in my Become a More Confident Traveller adventure! It’s the first time I’ve managed multiple destinations and a different language too, so I’m right at my growing edge. In fact, the trip has already brought up some perfect little lessons for me. For example, booking hotels in France checked just about all of my least favourite stretch boxes. For one thing I’m pretty shy and get nervous about calling people on the phone (which is kinda hilarious since I’m a coach that works with people over the phone) and I’m really sensitive about flubbing things up in front of other people (perhaps you’ve heard my ‘learning to skate story’ on Creative Living with Jamie!) Well, I recently reached the point of having to put my credit card down to secure hotel reservations. Up until then, things had been handled cleanly, simply and oh, so easily through email. But I just didn’t feel secure sending all my credit card details that way. I knew I had to call.

But I just couldn’t do it. I completely froze. I even had a big conversation with Justin about how I’m sure our credit information would be just fine in an email. I’m sure people do that all the time. Justin even offered to call and the only thing he can say in French is “poulet rouge”! I was pretty sure “red chicken” wasn’t going to get us our room. Finally, we decided we’d risk email because at least that would get the job done.

As soon as the pressure was off, I found it a bit easier. I tried to figure out what would make it easier still. I wrote out a little script of what I would say in French. I used freetranslation.com whenever I was really stuck. And then I wrote out a little script out in English, so that if it turned out English was fine, I’d also be secure.

I picked up the phone. A friendly voice on the other end said, “Bonsoir” and the name of the hotel. I came back with.. “Bonsoir… um… oh, um… Est-ce que nous pouvons parlez en Anglais?” And the proprietor’s lovely voice, full of smiles, said, “Of course.” I breathed a great sigh, confirmed all of our dates and felt so very proud of myself. When Patrice emailed me our confirmation, I told him how excited we were and that I’ll be working on my French. He very sweetly replied that we could practice together.

At the next hotel, I used the same strategy, with a similar, friendly result. It was clear that making an effort, even a clumsy one, was appreciated. And stretching myself, even with just that one sentence, grew my confidence. In fact, when I had to make a bit of an awkward phone call the other day, the kind I would normally shy away from, I found myself thinking, “Well, at least we both speak English!” and dialing the phone.

In all areas of our life, whether we’re newbies or seasoned, we always have a growing edge. We’ll always have that place that makes us uncomfortable or that stirs up our fear, that place where we are painfully aware of our own incompetence, that place that calls us to step in and stretch.

I follow a yoga podcast called Yogamazing. The other day Chaz, the instructor, said that no matter where we are on the yoga journey, all of us are in the same place when we’re at that growing edge. That made me feel so much better, to know that even if I can’t touch my toes and the yogini beside me has her nose to her knees, at our stretching edge we are the same. The journey is the same. How beautiful is that?”

Bio: Jamie Ridler is a creative living coach and the founder of Jamie Ridler Studios. From coaching to workshops, from podcasting to blogging, Jamie’s work helps women find the confidence and courage to discover and express their creative selves so they can be the star they are.
Links:
Website: Jamie Ridler Studios
Twitter: @starshyne
Facebook: Jamie Ridler Studios Page
Podcast: Creative Living with Jamie

Not only do I love how Jamie is sharing her vulnerability (and thus allowing others to be vulnerable too), but that idea that wherever we are we’re at the growing edge is just wonderful! Oh, and I’ve added to my intentions list for this year “Become a more confident traveller”! Be sure to go check out Jamie, she’s fab!

Love

Donna.x