Lessons Learned in a Remote Village
When going on vacation, many people think about going to the beach, cool tourist attractions, or places they saw on insta. Of course we all want to check those places off of our list, but on the other hand there are times that vacation should be focused primarily on relaxing and taking a step away from your busy schedule… and people. Personally, I love taking some time on trips to be completely outside of a city and having that ability to clear my mind without a plan for the day ahead. Recently, I went on a trip to SE Asia and stayed in a remote village, about a 2 hour drive from any big towns. During this stay, I was reminded of a few key lessons that I feel most people (including myself) need to brush up on.
Community is irreplaceable.
It is easy to get caught up in our societal norms. I don’t know about you, but it is not as common to become friends with your neighbors in this day and age. Being able to see how a community can interact was something that caught me off guard. The ways that people can work together without even realizing it is a breath of fresh air. There was one day that I vividly remember an overwhelming amount of love from the community, even though I didn’t know any of them. Simply walking to the market, there were offers from multiple people to give me a ride or directions; some even just stopped to ask me about my day. When at the market, everyone worked together to help each other sell their goods. These are such miniscule examples in the grand scheme of things. The way that people interact with one another, without the added stressors of life, is something I feel most of us lose touch with.
Family means more than we realize.
It is easy to take family for granted. Sure, there are those sayings like, “Blood is thicker than water,” and, “Family is forever,” but in today’s world, it is so easy to lose touch with family members. Whether there was some falling out due to family drama, someone moves away, or a myriad of other reasons, it is seemingly becoming easier and easier to neglect your family for sometimes months at a time (don’t judge me). In this village, I was able to witness several generations living in one small house helping one another. I was lucky enough to watch how each family member played a part in routines. In the mornings, I would watch the matriarch of families make offerings to her ancestors as her daughter would make breakfast and son would start working on a new part of a structure he was building. During this time, the grandchildren would be getting ready for school and her husband was already weaving new baskets to sell at the market. Each person played a part in this larger picture. These types of relationships are not plausible for most of our families, but it was such a nice reminder that each family member plays an important role. Of course, this isn’t limited to just family members, but also those amazing people who are in our lives as our chosen family. We should take the time to foster our human relationships versus our list of things to accomplish at work every now and again.
Meditation helps… a lot.
By now, we’ve all heard about how meditation is good for the mind. Putting it into practice is a whole other story. I’m sure I’m not the only one who is constantly saying, “Wow, I should meditate more,” but it never lasts. During this trip, I tried to focus more on making this a habit. After dealing with a stressful season at work, this was the time that I felt I needed to find clarity and relieve some of the weight I was carrying on my shoulders. Every person I had a meaningful conversation with during this trip started with them wondering if I meditate or practice yoga. After a couple days of incorporating meditation into my morning routine, I felt those problems I had melt away. Those issues I felt giving me anxiety, seemed easy to navigate. It is peculiar how a mere ten minutes of solitude a day can have a meaningful impact on your mental health, but it works. If you are dealing with something, have anxiety, or just need to enhance your own self-awareness, I would highly suggest taking a few minutes to get your mind in check (added bonus that you get some probably much needed quiet time).
Living disconnected impacts a lot of our mental health.
IN A GOOD WAY! It is no surprise that staring at a screen is bad for us. If you’re like me, checking your email, social media, and text messages becomes a habit. If a phone is in your hand, next thing you know, you’re scrolling through a feed. In today’s world, it seems foreign to people that you can get places without the use of a phone or that you can make plans with others without having to send them a text. It’s weird to look back at how it was growing up, having to remember how you got somewhere or biking to someone’s house to ask if they can hangout. We become reliant on technology for simple tasks, to the point that we forget how to do things in alternate ways. Living disconnected allows a person to get in touch with their hobbies and pay attention to their surroundings. Staying in this village without using my phone or laptop reminded me how much time I actually have in a day to paint, read, or notice the patterns of the animals outside. Everything seemed easier without the addition of technology. My mind felt more clear and noticing the amount of time I spend in a day on my phone began to sicken me in a way. I’m not saying we have to completely get rid of technology and all of its benefits, but really to just use it in moderation.
Gratitude is crucial and often forgotten.
Keeping up with the Jones’ is a alive and real in the city. It is difficult to be content with what you have when people around you are consistently talking about their latest purchase or how delicious that new restaurant down the street was. It is only human to want more. Seeing people in this village, completely content with what they have was refreshing. Even if their living conditions were not the best or if they were splitting their meals, they had a smile on their faces. During dinner, I would be surrounded by people who seemed to be living a fulfilled life. They did not care that they did not have this or that, they were just living in the moment. It is important to be grateful for what we have and reflect on it in a positive way, instead of always thinking what more?
Nature shouldn’t be taken for granted.
This village was located within a bamboo jungle, where I felt like I was in a movie. My days began with the sounds of birds singing and ended when the moon had taken over the sky. Sipping coffee and watching chicks learn how to fly, reminded me how magnificent nature can be. Pairing technological disconnect with nature is a recipe for some tranquility. It is easy to get lost in nature and get your thoughts in order. Taking that much needed breather is often times on the back burner of our day to day lives. We often forget to acknowledge the nature around us, since it is typically not as lush and prevalent within a cityscape. All I’m saying is, take that leftover time you have on your day off to walk up a hill, go to a park, or find a nice spot to just enjoy the fresh air on your skin. Be a part of nature again and feel that liberation.
What lessons have you learned on trips? Leave a comment below!
