7 comfort-busting activities to boost your self-esteem
Self-esteem is like a muscle. We all have access to it, but not all of us choose to exercise it on a daily basis. And, as a result, it can get rather rusty. As creatures of habit, we tend to stick to the same old routine; we prefer the status quo, especially as we head into our 30s and 40s.
Yet, there lies the beauty of travel. With borders opening up once again this year, the prospect of adventure lies shining on the horizon – just waiting to shake things up and bust us out of that comfort zone.
Hopping aboard for a global escape comes with a lot of perks, of course: sunshine, delicious food, the chance to meet new people. But one of the more unsung benefits of adventure stands in its capacity to drum up confidence. Every time you push your limits to try something new, whether that’s kayaking in Vietnam or salsa’ing in Colombia, you get a little rush of self-belief.
Learning new skills, regardless of whether you are actually any good at them, is a great way of fueling self-esteem. Throw in a new place, with new people in new languages or landscapes, and this effect only amplifies.
Want to stretch yourself this year, and boost your confidence with fabulously fun experiences all over the globe? Here are seven ideas to get you started.
Canyon through the Wadi Mujib, Jordan
There’s nothing like the towering walls of the Wadi Mujib to focus the mind. Our escape to Jordan kicks off in style with this thrilling challenge, which sees groups of Flashpackers work as a team to navigate their way down an ancient desert riverway. The feat involves a series of gullies, crevasses and jagged rock formations that make up the sandstone canyons in this spectacular corner of the world.
Tough and terrific in equal measure, you’ll find yourself wild swimming through waterfall ponds one minute, and hauling your buddy over giant slabs of rock the next. With teammates cheering you on every step of the way, you’ll discover reserves of pluck and stamina you never knew you had.
Bed down in the treetops of Croatia
Want a walk on the wild side? Look no further than Plitvice Tree Houses, an ethereal network of cabins set amid the pine trees next door to Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park. This beautiful spot will immerse you right into the heart of the natural landscape, with the rustle of the woodland habitat all around, and timeless views that are a million miles from the hubbub of modern life.
How does it help self-esteem? Well, sometimes in life you need a glimpse of the bigger picture – to see the wood from the trees, so to speak. This wilderness experience rolls back time enough that can pause and reconnect: it’s just about you and the Great Outdoors. And by simplifying things, you can see more clearly that inner strength that governs who you are.
Ice-hike a Patagonian glacier
Crampons at the ready. The dazzling blue contours of Argentina’s Perito Moreno glacier – an 18,000-year-old natural wonder in the depths of Los Glaciares National Park – await. The undisputed gem in the crown of the Patagonia region promises to astound and wow you at every new turn, with an ice-hike up to a viewing balcony with unparalleled views.
While you may not think of yourself as a natural mountain explorer, you’ll be amazed at what you’re capable of in the hands of a seasoned guide. No prior experience is needed for this daring escapade, but it’ll open your eyes to the staggering beauty of the icescape; as well as your own ability to live in the moment and take it all on.
Immerse yourself in Tanzania’s wildebeest migration
Every year, more than 1.5 million wildebeest move in a vast loop across the Serengeti plains, in search of seasonal rains. Named one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa, the extraordinary spectacle is often described as the greatest show on Earth – so how about grabbing a front-row view to the action?
Tanzania’s Bush Rover Suites offer a unique view of the migration, moving with the herds at different times of year to catch the drama of their calving season, or croc-filled river crossings. If you’ve ever pined after David Attenborough’s job, this is about as close to it as you’re likely to get – albeit with a touch of luxury (think campside cocktails and hand-drawn bush baths) in the mix. Not many experiences are as life-affirming as this…
Bike between Inca ruins in Peru’s Sacred Valley
If you want to stretch your limits a little in stunning countryside, put the Sacred Valley highlands on your radar. The wide skies and dizzying sunshine peaks of the Andes set the stage for an unforgettable mountain bike ride, not least on a trail that includes age-old Inca ruins.
From shimmering salt terraces to rock dwellings from one of humanity’s most fascinating empires, you’ll be re-living history on every step of this off-radar trail. With high-altitude air filling your lungs, emerald slopes on the horizon, and the whispers of the past all around, you can’t fail to feel on top of the world.
Take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey
The otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia, Turkey’s feted World Heritage site, dates back to the fourth century A.D. It’s a bucket-list visit for many travelers, and – with its unique, lunar-like clusters of cave towns and “fairy chimneys” formed from volcanic ash – it’s not hard to see why.
A private hot air balloon ride is an unbeatable way to appreciate the natural drama of Cappadocia. Hop aboard just before sunrise to see the morning sky gild a maze of natural rock formations below. Daring and decadent, it’s one helluva wake-up call.
Travel with a small group of strangers
The world is bursting with experiences to get you right out of your comfort zone. But perhaps the best way of doing this is not what you do, but who you travel with. By hopping on-board with a small group of strangers, and choosing to share an adventure with them, you are taking a bit of a gamble.
There’s no guarantee you will like the people you travel with; but on the flip side, you may make a whole new group of friends (especially if you’re matched with like-minded people of a similar age and life stage). By choosing to travel with people you don’t know, you’re casting off the comfort of the everyday: you open yourself up to new ideas, perspectives, and personalities.
Flashpackers often tell us that they end up being a bit more daring when they’re with a new group of people, too: the novelty of them taps into their adventurous side when it comes to activities such as abseiling down Table Mountain, or lunching with a Luchador in Mexico City.
So, why not give it a whirl? Flash Pack’s curation of worldwide adventures stand at the ready, complete with a community of global travelers to rock your world.
Got a story or adventure that could inspire a solo traveler like you? Tag @flashpack on social or email [email protected] to be featured.
