TRAVEL & CONNECTIONS

Maintain Meaningful Personal Connections

After leaving the 9-to-5 work world and becoming a wandering freelance travel writer, I have often questioned my own ability to maintain meaningful connections with other people. The thrill of a solo road trip and exploring unfamiliar places tickles my senses, but the desire to stay in good relations with other human beings tugs at my heart. Travel and connections, personal connections, there must be healthy ways to do both.

This is a situation that has created inner conflict and self-questioning in multitudes of deep-thinking individuals. Those of us who are over 50 and even over 60 look back fondly on large family holidays, weddings, annual family reunions, and even high school reunions. We tend to get sentimental and nostalgic, often wondering why we lost touch with relatives and other cherished folks who had once seemed so precious.

Personal connection implies a certainty of celebrating a kinship or friendship and knowing we value one another. In knowing we can talk, laugh, cry, and share intimate details of one another’s joy and pain, we look forward to seeing each other again. 

Once Familiar Yet Now Strangers

You are probably a bit puzzled, thinking that this blog does not seem like my typical joyfully upbeat buzz on some fabulous recent travel experience. And you are exactly right.

I was at home doing research for my next big trip. Then came the phone call informing me that my cousin had died. The details were so sad and disturbing that they shook me to my core. I sobbed and agonized as the grief set in.

At the funeral, I gazed into faces of people who had once been familiar and important in my life. Sadly, now we are strangers. This is a painful truth that I deeply dislike…and wish to correct…before the next funeral.

Travel Helps in Several Ways

Here are the two points I’m attempting to make. I need to improve my ways of connecting with other humans. And I want to look at ways in which travel can be a positive part of that process. Travel and connections, I am choosing to reexamine and reframe my perspectives. As I offer the following tips, it is very much for others and for myself.

Be a Healthy Communicator

Active listening means staying present and engaged in a warm and respectful conversation. This is best when it includes asking questions, as well as showing encouragement and appreciation. This is a great skill to practice while enjoying travel.

Be Genuine and Kind

All people in every possible travel destination want to be seen, heard, and valued. Positive energy insists on no fakeness and no harsh judgements. This is complimentary and builds high regard and trust.

Be Bold

Reconnecting with the best of intentions and motivations manifests the confidence to have great conversations. Once the momentum is achieved, it is time to ask for feedback, advice, help, and mutual support.

Be Focused on a Positive Future

Healthy connections include letting go of all past hurts and grudges. This is a wonderful fresh start that can lead to making exciting plans for the future.

Be Focused on Freedom and Well-being

Travel helps us communicate with better perspectives, empathy, and a regenerative mindset. That means we are more thoughtful toward new friends, old friends, and to the planet. We leave things, including relationships, better than we found them. Reconnecting to our own playful inner child allows us to have the freedom to love others. The result is often better mental and physical health and happiness.

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Here are links to other helpful articles on travel and connections:

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-reconnect-with-an-old-friend-without-making-it-awkward-5225930 https://www.healthline.com/health-news/reconnecting-with-old-friends-may-boost-your-mental-health-and-theirs https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-traveling-increases-connection-helps-us-succeed-rachel-mcgehee/#:~:text=Travel%20increases%20our%20ability%20to%20connect%20with%20others%2C,like%20us%20than%20they%20are%20different%20from%20us. https://www.fodors.com/news/news/what-is-regenerative-travel-and-what-does-it-mean