Sometimes the Explorer in me is at odds with the Homebody in me. It’s not easy being an introverted sensitive soul when it comes to travel and venturing out. Know what I mean?
I am back from a two-week Spring trip to Spain, a “celebration” trip after my husband’s bumpy medical journey the last few years. We used a chunk of savings for it, and unconsciously that all added up to pressure: “This better be good.”
In reality, the trip itself was kinda bumpy the first week or so for me. I was not happy about that.
I had to relearn some lessons about self-care as a sensitive being. I’m an introvert and a highly sensitive person (HSP) which means I can be at higher risk of overstimulation. My daily life is geared to prevent that, so I kinda forgot.
Learning from the Low Points
One lesson was that I need to let go of FOMO (fear of missing out) and not add “just one more thing.” 🙃 I didn’t quite get the lesson until a week into the trip when I was so tired from letting FOMO lead the way.
Low points: driving longer than expected on curvy cliffside roads (scary), driving the wrong way up an impossibly narrow one-way street (argh), rain on our days to rest at the beach, etc. Don’t get me started about airport security lines.
Worst part was feeling like I had made multiple bad decisions about our plans, and feeling like I had no right to complain while on a vacation. Yep, lots of negative self-talk kicked in. Very humbling. I had to call on self-compassion.
Learning from the High Points
Fortunately, there were high points, and my senses really soaked those in!
Some stirring art that has lasted over a thousand years, and the beautiful mountains stood out for me.
Plus I savored those moments I remembered to rest and just be. Phew.
I’m making note of what feeds me and what drains me — which is a wise thing for all of us to do regularly, about our work time and non-work time. Notice and adjust.
The big highlight was visiting a friend and fellow business coach, Caroline Leon, and her family in their sweet town where they have deep roots. We loved being immersed in their lives for a few days — home-cooked food, mountains and rivers, their olive trees, their tri-lingual life, and their super fun and cuddly kids.
That visit fed my weary soul after the too-muchness of the earlier part of the trip.
Caroline and I have a shared joy around talking business, family, life, social justice, and being sensitive beings. Once again, reminding me of the power of being with kindred spirits. Truly restorative. (Community is very core for me, and that’s why kindred spirit groups for introverts and HSPs are a central part of my business.)
Oh, it was hard to leave Caroline and the restorative nest with her loving family. 🥰
Then… the Joy of Returning to My Home & Work
Then we had some major airport problems on the way home. With a lot of effort (and tears), we finally made it home, but my nervous system was so rattled in the process that I almost kissed the ground when we got here.
The whole experience of being home again sparked a renewed joy in my familiar life, and my beloved clients and colleagues. I think I teared up with joy with nearly everything that first week home.
It feels wonderful to have what truly feeds me and aligns with my nature. Deep bows of gratitude. I’m happy I have taken all the many steps to get to this point.
The unfamiliar is simply hard on a sensitive body and mind, even if we also crave juicy explorations. I forgot about that. This big feeling of dysregulation has happened to me before.
I was reminded how much I need familiarity as part of my self-care as a sensitive soul. (Hint: it’s OK and healthy to bask in being at home, and even watch the same cozy movie again. It’s nourishing for us! It’s not weak.)
I was happy to come home to these bleeding heart flowers in bloom. They felt like a big sign saying:
“Welcome Home, your tender heart belongs here.”
Travel Lessons Learned, Again:
- Avoid moving from place to place.
- Less doing and more being.
- Meaningful connection over touristy sightseeing, for sure.
- Seeing a dear friend in person is so nourishing for me. (I teared up with joy a few times.)
- Notice my energy, and then adjust as needed, ASAP. No pushing.
- Life keeps lifing, even on vacation.
- Coming back to the familiar is restorative for my nervous system.
For future, I think I’ll focus more on visiting dear friends or more of a retreat-like, HSP-friendly experience like the ones Melissa Renzi leads.
Melissa Renzi wrote up this great list of tips for How HSPs Can Enjoy Travel Without Depletion.
Want to share your stories of traveling while being a sensitive soul? I’d love to hear it.
