What does adventure mean?
For me, adventure can be defined as an exciting or daring experience that involves undertaking new, unknown, or thrilling activities. It typically involves venturing into unfamiliar territory, taking risks, and embracing uncertainty or challenges.
ADVENTURE HELPS US BUILD self CONFIDENCE
I was always fascinated by Tibetan culture and the gorgeous view in Tibet. In 2013, I decided to visit that place alone. But people around me told me that it’s dangerous in Tibet. People kill others on the street etc. To be honest, I was scared. At the same time, my curiosity to Tibet was even stronger. After doing some research, I went there anyway alone. The reality was the place was not dangerous at all. I met diverse and nice people on the way. I saw the most gorgeous snow mountain views which only existed in my imagination before.
After this experience, I decided that not listen to those people who have never been or experienced by themselves. And I gained so much confidence to travel alone. Afterwards, I travelled alone again and again inside of China. In 2016, I started traveling alone outside of China to continuously stepping out of my comfort zone and expand my territory. So far, I’ve travelled 78 cities in China and 18 countries in the world, I travelled alone of 90% of them.
Adventure pushes me to test my limits and go beyond what I thought was possible. With each new adventure, I gain confidence in my abilities and learn to trust myself.
While I gain confidence through adventures, it’s also a journey of self-reflection and discovery.
adventure helps self discovery
Three months ago, on the way to office, I felt dizzy, anxious, stressful and didn’t have the feeling to work. I back to home and asked my boss the whole week leave. I needed a quiet place to stay alone. Then I went to a small village in Wuyuan the same day. I didn’t find any hotel online before I went. I just arrived there and walked in the village, asked people I met if they could offer me a place to stay. After two asks, I found a clean and nice house where the owner was so happy to accept me living together with them. It was their first time to accept a guest. I felt so lucky about it.
During my stay there, I did meditation in the fields, on the bridge, I run to explore every road connected with this small village, I talked with local people, I read books, did self-reflection. Through these, I figured out my core beliefs, what kind of person I want to be and what should I do to become this kind of person. I’ve gained clarity of my life. It’s like I’ve discovered all puzzle blocks through previous adventures and self-exploration, but this adventure trip helped me to put all of them together.
Having this as my guidance, I felt I am like a big tree rooted deeply in the earth. There will be storms coming, but I am confidence, courageous and still enough to face whatever comes in my life. When I back to work, I started talking with senior directors in and outside of China, asked our company’s vice president to be my mentor, and talked with Chief Operation Officer. I was afraid of these things before. But after that trip, I feel I am equal with everyone no matter what positions they have.
Adventure helps build self resiliance
At the beginning of October, I did another adventure. I went to Laos where many people said it’s not safe as well. I was even reminded by immigration stuff that be careful after she learnt I was traveling alone. When I arrived there, I rent a cool motorbike and rode to a beautiful waterfall and discovered a remote village. On the way, I fell twice on the motorbike. Second time, I flew away because of a big hole on the road which I didn’t see with the speed more than 60km/h. I got hurt on my shoulder, arm, and leg. You see my clothes, then you knew it’s serious. The motorbike was scratched as well and one of mirror was broken.
I felt painful and a bit worried about my wound. But I calm down soon because I knew worry helps nothing. After a bit rest, I rode back. On the way back, I also tried to find a place to fix motorbike scratch. Because I could predict that the renter would charge me more money if they fixed them. I’ve asked 3 repair stores; they either couldn’t communicate in English or they needed longer time to evaluate. To save time, I just set a maximum amount I could accept and thought of how I negotiate with them.
After back to the town, I asked local people where I could buy medicine to clean up wounds. After dealing with wounds, I had a nice dinner to treat a tired me. Then I went to return motorbike around 10:00 pm alone.
When I went there, the agency had three people to examine and evaluate the scratches and broken parts of motorbike. While they were inspecting, I didn’t feel rattled, but so calm, still and confident. I went to sit straight on the chair beside a table, read book on my phone. There’s voice in mind said “I know what’s going on, I’ll let you perform.” After about 40mins, they came and told me it requires around 3millions in Kip, that ‘s around 1100 RMB to fix it. As I assumed, they charged me more than I thought. Then I started negotiating with them, after three rounds about 30mins negotiation, they accepted that I pay half price of what they initially asked.
Next day, despite of many wounds on my body, I was attracted by e-mountain bike adventure in jungles. I left the accident happened yesterday behind and happily went on new adventure. There are always uncertainties during adventures. It helps me to build resilience to face any unexpected situations with calmness and stillness.
Building self-confidence, helping self- reflection and discovery and building resilience, are three most important personal growth I gained from adventures. There are so many other things, like broaden my horizons, cultivating mindfulness and appreciation etc. This personal growth extends beyond the adventure itself and positively impacts other areas of my life, such as relationships, career, and personal goals.