Travel Scary (noun)
An unnerving experience during travel that triggers fear, anxiety, or discomfort, often stemming from unforeseen circumstances or unfamiliar environments.
Travel can be full of unpredictable moments that challenge your patience and leave you with unforgettable stories. A while back, I, Chloe, found myself in one of these situations during a flight to New York as I headed back to university after a sleepless night of packing. Let’s just say the restful journey I had envisioned didn’t quite go as planned. Here are three lessons I took away from that unforgettable and restless morning in the air.
Create Your Own Comfort
Although the flight wasn’t restful, it could have been a little easier on my end with better preparation. Noise-canceling headphones, a soft scarf or blanket, and even a comforting playlist could have helped me stay more relaxed during the turbulence and noise. My ears end up pounding from the altitude, leaving me to endure the pain until the plane reaches its landing point. Now, I always pack a few essentials to make any journey a bit more comfortable, no matter the circumstances.
Prioritize Rest Before You Fly
Traveling on little to no sleep is a recipe for frustration, as I learned the hard way. Exhausted from a night of last-minute packing, I boarded my flight hoping to catch up on sleep. Instead, I found myself forgetting circumstances that can prevent me from doing so on a flight. Had I prioritized rest the night before, I might have been better equipped to handle the situation with more patience and focus. Sleep isn’t just about feeling refreshed—it helps you manage stress and adapt to unexpected challenges during your journey. Whether it’s a short nap or a full night’s sleep, taking the time to rest before your flight can set the tone for a calmer, more enjoyable travel experience.
Practice Kindness
Travel can be tough, not just for you but for those around you. I’ll never forget how overwhelmed the mother looked as she tried to manage her crying baby. It’s easy to focus on your own discomfort in situations like this, but seeing the situation through someone else’s eyes changes everything. The baby was simply reacting to the altitude, and the mother was visibly struggling to manage it all. Taking a moment to empathize with their experience reminded me to be more understanding and compassionate, even when things don’t go my way. Offering her a reassuring look was a small gesture, but it had helped lessen the tension and reminded me how impactful kindness can be. Whether it’s lending a hand or simply showing empathy, a little kindness can turn a challenging situation into a more bearable one for those around you.
Chloe