You went, you saw, you grew from the experience. Now, how does that growth fit in to the already glutted world of “back home”?
Home is full of familiar routines and people that are comfortable engaging with you… the way you were. Through no fault of their own, once you return home that old familiar environment will try to put you back into the square peg you left. Problem is, you’ve returned home as a round peg.
Here’s how I’m dealing with it…
Rollin’ down the street in my U.F.O.
See, returning home I’ve never felt more alien. I roll down the streets and can’t help but feel like a time traveler returning home to find that nothing and everything has changed. Home is the same as I left it and I’m not the same man that left.
There’s no doubt that if you travel outside of your fishbowl then the experience will change you. Most likely in more ways than one. It’s simple, really. Stepping out of the rut of daily minutiae (the “bullshit”) gives you the freedom to really explore yourself in the context of a much larger world.
So, good for me. I like the changes I’ve gone through. Quite honestly, though, some of those changes are in contrast to who I was before I departed on my two month solo trip. It’ll be easy for me to slip back into old and familiar habit patterns so… what’s a guerrilla to do?
My guerrilla debrief
Being of analytical mind, I tend to do a debrief after most events. Be it a business meeting, a confrontation, athletics, etc (and you best believe after a nice night out with a Betty). During this debrief I answer a list of questions I come up with. It’s a process that helps me internalize the event and see what really happened.
More importantly, the debrief helps me to focus on the lessons of the event as I move forward. It’s as sure a way as any to keep from getting crushed back into that square hole.
caution: deep thinking ahead
10 questions to answer when you get back home
- What one act fulfilled you the most physically? emotionally? spiritually?
- During your journey what scared you the most? What other fears did you face?
- What views or opinions changed as a result?
- What was your happiest moment during the journey? Your lowest?
- What do you feel you contributed to those you met?
- What goals, if any, did you have for the journey? What did you accomplish?
- If you could say something to you pre-trip self, what would it be?
- What habits or routines do you pick up that you want to continue at home?
- What person impacted you the most during your journey?
- What advice would you give others?
So, while the environmental forces of home try to squeeze me back into that square hole, answering these kinds of questions keeps me aligned and round.
I’d like to know what tips you have for “how to return home”. Rip em below…
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
You mean, “Why did I come home?” wasn’t on that list?
yeah, well, that is a good question
but, this is going to sound contradictory, but as important as travel is to connecting with the world it can also lead to a person becoming disconnected. it’s important to bring the lessons and experiences you’ve gained back home and put them into your community. for me, i take it as a personal responsibility to contribute what i have back to those around me. if i kept traveling, well, that’d be selfish of me.
however, you better believe i’m planning my next trip
Hey Mark, nice post and an interesting approach I have never come across before. Lots of good things to think about, especially if you’re someone who has been profoundly changed by your trip.
I don’t tend to analyze too much when I travel and don’t feel like the ‘travel me’ and the ‘home me’ are two different people. I have no problem staying away from that square peg but I think I will still have a crack at some of your questions the next time I change locations ans see what I come up with.
thanks, kirsty. i tend to use questions to poke and prod at things, helps me build an understanding of something from different angles. that being said, it may not be the best approach for everyone but i do hope that if you give it a go you’ll gain some extra cool insight.