Imagine Going On The Road Trip Of Your Dreams…
Think of those defining moments that you attribute to having change your life for the better. They may include moving away from home, getting married or having children. For many of us, these moments aren’t always well defined and often occur when we least expect them, usually as a result of us stepping out of our normal routine and seeing the world in a different light or from an unusual aspect.
Have you ever thought about how you can actually plan these types of life-changing situations? Undertaking a road trip can open up a whole new area of the world in an eye-opening way.
These are some of the things I’ve learned from being on the road.
Inhale, exhale
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It may seem simple, but taking a few deep breaths can really put your world in perspective. Of course, there are biological reasons for this but physiologically speaking, it slows down your thinking so you can take stock of what’s going on in your mind.
Taking a road trip helps with that in a number of ways. Firstly, it takes you out of your everyday routines. Although they are useful and keep you productive in day-to-day life, they also tend to put you on auto-pilot, which means you’re not really in the present. You don’t live ‘here and now’.
As a mechanic, I find myself tackling the same issues every day and they become increasingly less challenging, so breaking the norm can be really liberating. Secondly, taking a road trip gives you the physical space you need to take those all-important breaths. Driving out into the beautiful countryside gets you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the people you interact with, the traffic and stresses of work. Even your driving style changes – it becomes more relaxed and considerate towards others. For me, taking to the road is the ideal combination of balancing the profession I love and my passion for adventure.
Get uncomfortable
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Most of us interact with the same people every day. And it’s likely that most of these people are very similar to us in terms of their life and background. Stepping outside of your comfort zone and starting conversations with new people can give you a completely new perspective on life. Hearing others’ stories, opinions and insights is one of the most interesting aspects of taking a road trip; it can really open your eyes to the diversity of the world.
I will never forget how impressed I was in Nepal, where I met Susan, a solo traveller from the UK who was taking time away from her family. It was one of my first road trips on a motorbike, and I admired Susan for how comfortable she was on her motorcycle driving up winding Asian mountain roads.
One of the most interesting people I ever met was Charlie, a World War II pilot I got chatting to in a pub. His stories were like something straight out of a Hollywood movie and the hardships he had encountered really put the stresses of my life into perspective. Whenever a difficult client is getting me down or things aren’t going my way, I often remember Charlie’s words and it renews my determination.
Learn new skills
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I will be the first to admit that as a car mechanic, my knowledge on motorbikes used to be embarrassingly limited. However, since falling in love with road tripping, I have a new-found passion both for motorbike maintenance and mechanics. It has also helped me to become a better driver and stay alert when driving for a long time. Out of necessity, I have learnt a lot about keeping my bike in top condition when taking it to the tarmac. I wouldn’t like to guess how much money I have saved on garage fees in the process, but I bet it is a lot. Not only has there been financial benefits, but these skills have also benefited me in other ways including making new friends and even progressing my career.
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Taking a step away from your day-to-day pace and taking to the road can indeed open up opportunities for life-changing experiences. Whether it’s finding some peaceful alone time to reflect or chatting with new and interesting people, it can make a huge difference to your outlook in life.
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