I’ve talked before about trips not going exactly as I hoped they would (and how, frankly, I don’t believe it’s possible for a trip to go exactly according to plan). We’ve all been there--you plan everything out perfectly, you know exactly what you’re going to do and where and when… and then you hit a road block. Or someone gets sick. Or any other number of things go wrong. And it sucks. But you can make it back from this! Things not going according to plan is part of life, and we just have to roll with it. I’ve had something go wrong in literally every trip I’ve ever taken--from big to small. These are all of the things I’ve found that always help me bounce back from the missteps and put my trip back on the right track: having fun! Take a Deep BreathI know, I know. But bear with me. Sometimes, what we think is a problem doesn’t turn out to be much of a problem at all. On my first trip to England, the car service we had hired was supposed to pick us up at the airport and then take us to their shop. We ended up having to wait more than an hour at the airport because of a problem with their shuttle service. It sucked, it was confusing, and we were more than a little worried that we had gotten scammed--but we stuck it out with the rest of the people who were waiting, and it all turned out okay in the end. Take a deep breath. Look at the situation with fresh eyes. Maybe it wasn’t the best way to start off our vacation, but it didn’t really do any harm, either. Let Yourself off the HookNow, on the other hand, if our car service never showed up, that would have been a bit of a problem. We would have had to deal with getting a new car and a refund, and it would have been a lot of hassle. Sometimes, things just go wrong. The right thing to do is not to blame yourself or let it get to you. Nobody likes it when things start to go bad, but if you let the negativity of the situation bring you down, you’re just going to see the negative in everything and draw more negativity to you (see: the law of attraction). It can be hard to see the best in a situation, and harder still to not blame anyone (even that rude receptionist and the guy who rented you the car knowing it was broken and and and), but life is so much easier when you let people off the hook--including yourself. Try Plan BAKA: Always have a backup plan. When I’m traveling alone or in a foreign country, I over prepare. I’ve mentioned how I overpack to give myself a false sense of security lmao to help myself combat my anxiety, knowing I’m prepared for most situations that I’ll face. Maybe your solutions don’t have to be quite so extreme as mine (did you really need the snake bite kit for a winter road trip, Kris? Really?), but you should know what to do in case of an emergency. Have the emergency numbers of the place you’re visiting written down somewhere accessible, have hidden copies of important papers and documents like your passport, and have a general idea of what you need to do if you run into car/transportation/lodging trouble. Ask For HelpFor this segment, I’m going to take a quote directly from my previous post on traveling with anxiety: “We’re not as alone as we think we are, and most people aren’t actually jerks--we really do want to help each other out.” If you find yourself unsure of what to do, ask for help. Obviously, you should be smart about it, but there are almost always people you can talk to if you’re in need--this is where emergency numbers come in handy, but there’s also plenty of resources for everyday situations: You had to cancel your tour, but you still want to see some part of the city? Ask the concierge where you’re staying for their recommendations. You want an authentic dining experience? Buddy up with a local and ask for their opinion--there have been plenty of instances where I’ve gone into corner markets and gas stations to buy a snack and then asked for recommendations from the cashier. When in doubt, I phone a friend that will help talk me through whatever’s going on and who will bounce around ideas with me. Look At The Situation A Different WaySometimes, things not going according to plan is a blessing in disguise. On my last trip to southern Utah, I had planned to hop down to the Grand Canyon for a day, but the highway was closed, and the only available detour would have taken ages. I decided to drive around the area instead, and from a local’s recommendation, found myself at Snow Canyon. There, I hiked up a cliff and through a slot canyon, witnessed the remains of beautiful lava flows, and crawled through several lava caves (including one where I had to jump down and then climb back up a ledge that was higher than I was tall). I was able to experience a place I had never seen before and do things I love--all because of a willingness to go with the flow and not let a minor setback keep me from living my life to the fullest. Nobody can deny that travel can be stressful, particularly when things don’t go according to plan, but it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. Often times, the difference between a good trip and a bad trip is all about your attitude, and how able you are to bounce back from when things start to go wrong. What do you do when things don’t turn out the way you plan? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below! Like this post? Why not share it?If you enjoyed this article, please leave me a comment telling me what you think! Or, if you found it useful, share it with your friends! You'll be helping me turn my passion for travel into a business, and more importantly, you'll be helping your friends out with any travel questions they might have, too. 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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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