Anonymous Traveller by The Dysania Concept (2022)
Travelling is one of human’s favourite hobbies. Travelling gives us the opportunity to learn to see the world with new eyes and a more well-informed perspective, and it creates spaces to learn about different cultures, languages, nature and even yourself. Even though we all love to travel and do it as frequently as we can, there is a set of qualities, virtues and skills which can allow us to take better advantage of our adventures. As Andre Gide said, “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore”. So, in this edition of The Mindsets, we’ll talk about how the best Travellers can gather all possible knowledge and memories from their travelling experiences and how they implement these in their lives.
1. Courage
To face the unknown, one must have courage; travelling means facing the unknown. When one travels, one meets a new culture, a different thinking process, a foreign language, new food, and many more unknown factors. To leave your home and travel to discover the wonders of a distant city, country or continent, one must be able to face the unfamiliar, which to humans is frightening by nature. Still, something frightening does not mean it’s unfaceable, and that’s where courage is key to the Traveller. And it is often when the Traveller faces the fear of the unknown they find themselves living the best experiences. So, be afraid of the unknown. Be afraid of lengthy flights or long drives. Be afraid of a new language, culture, and way of thinking. But do not let that fear stop you from discovering the wonders of these things.
2. Curious
To learn from the unknown, one must be curious. When travelling, humans have the most powerful tool to find the best and most fruitful experiences: engaging in conversations and asking questions. Why? Because it is through questions that we start to understand what is unknown to us at the time. Through questions, we can learn why a culture thinks and behaves as they do. Through questions, we can learn how society works and the systems they have. Through questions, we can learn from a community’s nuances and how we can take and apply some of them. So ask away! Ask when you travel, meet a stranger or even at the farmers market. Use questions and generate conversations to build relationships and clear the fog from what is unknown to you right now.
3. Respect
To survive the unknown, one must be respectful. Perhaps survive is a harsh word, but the meaning gets through. When one courageously faces the unfamiliar and asks questions about the unknown, respect is key to creating memorable memories. As one explores something new, there is much excitement to clear the fog, yet it’s essential to remember you are clearing the fog; hence, we don’t know what can be right in front of us. So, a good Traveller is thoughtful of how they approach the new culture they are meeting and the questions they ask. Respect the community that has allowed you to enter their space. Always ask, converse and behave as you would expect them to if they were in your community’s space. Be mindful of how you approach the unknown, always.
Travelling is adaptable to everyone’s style and wishes. Yet, these three qualities, virtues and skills are at the core of the activity. Now that you understand why some Travellers can grow and mature more as they travel, we invite you to start taking the most advantage you can whenever you are. We also invite you to apply these qualities, virtues and skills to your life to grow wherever you are, whatever you are doing. Remember, travelling doesn’t just mean leaving your country or continent but perhaps uncovering your city and its surroundings. So start working on your courage, curiosity and respect, and you’ll slowly be able to open your eyes and see a new world, as you‘ll not only create and discover more when you travel but also rediscover where you already are.
If you want to know more about The Dysania Concept, read more in the ‘Who We Are’ section of the website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Comments