We all have expectations of ourselves. Saving money, buying a house, raising a family, maintaining a great job. Whether small or great, these expectations can cause insurmountable doubts in a would-be travelers mind and could eventually hinder one’s dream of seeing the world. These expectations can be intrinsic or extrinsic, with many of our peers or family members having developed perceptions of who we are and who we should be. In order to fight these expectations and embrace the fear of letting yourself and your innermost circles down, here are three quick tips for stabilizing your self-confidence.
1. Define Success
What does it mean to be successful? Not to everyone else, but to you? Define the metrics that would enable you to feel accomplished in life and cater to those measures throughout your travels. If you want to be a world-renown photographer, for example, use your trip as an opportunity to build your portfolio. If you want to help the environment, use your trip to raise awareness of sustainable habits. Success is that one thing that will make you feel at peace on your death bed, therefore, it’s up to you to define it.
2. You Are The Product of Your Ambitions
A motivated person is a successful person. No matter the route that you choose to take, having ambitions to reach your idea of “success” will feed your innermost expectations and boost your sense of accomplishment and progress. If you know what you want to be, or you know what you want to “do for a living,” then identify the steps needed to achieve that goal. As long as you’re working toward something, as long as you have an achievable aspiration, you will always add value to the world on which you reside. You’ll not only become a fulfilled and happy product, but you’ll become one that was shaped by the diverse and enlightening observations you’ve made throughout your  travels.
3. You’re not letting anyone down but yourself
If you’re anything like us, you probably feel like you’re letting everyone down by leaving your gainful employment, absolving your responsibilities, and taking a trip around the world. This fear is shaped by our society’s heavy dependance on the rat race… on location-dependent growth. We look at life as a sprint, as a competition to out-do our peers, and we view monetary growth and asset acquisition as the only form of achievement. Although this may be the norm in many cultures, it’s not the law of life, so we encourage you to challenge these conventions and set your own expectations for life.
From our perspective, a world trip is an investment in education, craft, friendship, spirituality, happiness, and so much more. Every day on the road is a day of learning and growth, constantly shaping a life of great achievements and unforgettable experiences. Our fears, although forever present, are like a seat-belt – restraining our movement and keeping us safe, but never keeping us from hitting the gas and shifting gears. We encourage you to embrace those fears, fasten that seat-belt, but never forget to enjoy the ride.
