Stuck in a rut? 5 common life issues that a global adventure can help with
They say you can’t run away from your problems – but a little distance always helps. Combine that with sunshine, the thrill of the moment and a group of like-minded solo travelers, and the chances are, you’ll start to feel pretty good.
Anyone who’s traveled a lot knows well its uncanny knack of putting your life in perspective. It can’t solve everything, of course. Certain struggles are just too deep and entrenched, and you’ll do better to seek professional support, along with developing other coping mechanisms (exercise, time out, confiding in friends – all the good stuff).
For general life angst, though – that broad miasma of issues that lies somewhere between happiness and a full-blown crisis – adventure can play a helping hand. Here’s how:
1. Fatigue and brain fog
The problem:
With pandemic fatigue on the rise, it’s no surprise if you’re feeling more than a little exhausted right about now. Drained might be a better word. Everything seems to be a big effort, and no matter how hard you try, getting your life “together” is a goal that somehow lingers forever out of reach.
The solution:
You, my friend, need to reconnect with the majesty of the wild outdoors; and Argentina is just the place to do it. With 10 days to immerse yourself in this land of plenty – from Patagonia’s glacial peaks to Mendoza’s spectacular wine country – you’ll soon clear your head. Demands and deadlines will feel like another life as you ice-hike across the Perito Moreno glacier, a 18,000-year-old natural wonder, or unwind in a mountain refuge nestled by the Río de las Vueltas. Wipe away the cobwebs, and remind yourself what it is to feel truly alive.
2. Overserved on stress
The problem:
Our “always-on” culture led to a stress epidemic even before Covid-19; and the fallout from the crisis has only made things worse. If you feel constantly bombarded by work, family or life admin demands – or even a stressful cycle of news – now may be the time to call a break.
The solution:
Ancient escapism could be just the ticket to remind yourself of simpler times. Jordan is a good bet in this respect: the Middle Eastern country is brimming with age-old gems, from the Nabatean kingdom of Petra to the prehistoric desert of the Wadi Rum (aka “the Valley of the Moon”). This is a great place to press reset, with an off-grid ecolodge for stargazing, therapeutic mud from The Dead Sea and sunrise camel rides to light up your soul. Stress? That’s just a distant memory.
3. Relationship rumbles
The problem:
Just as the pandemic has created new connections (hurrah for great neighbors), it’s also put a strain on most of our relationships. And that’s not to say you don’t love your best friend / aunty / other half. It’s simply that, when life gets stressful, that pressure tends to ricochet through to the people closest to us.
The solution:
Ta-da: a short yet sensational break in the company of people you don’t know, and have no pre-existing ties with. How about a four-day escape to Finland? This thrill-a-minute trip is packed with unique experiences, including Northern Lights hunting on a private island, husky sleigh rides and twilight snowmobile safaris. A sensory adventure to help you forget your woes and make new friends; fresh pals who’ll make you appreciate your old ones all the more.
4. Dawn of the career blues
The problem:
You know how it is: a job that once seemed shiny and delightful is now weighing you down every step of the way. Perhaps the pay’s not right, you hate your new boss, or it simply no longer gels with who you are within.
The solution:
How about a sunshine trip somewhere tropical and terrific, to help put the wind beneath your wings? Bali, the so-called “Island of the Gods”, beckons with its maze of powdery white sands and palm trees. This beautiful destination is the ideal place to gain a little headspace; whether that comes in the form of a sunrise volcanic hike, spiritual bathing or beach grazing. Surrounded by sacred sites and jungle heights, you’ll be revived enough to mull over what’s troubling you, career-wise – and more importantly, how you can put it right.
5. Feeling disconnected
The problem:
Maybe you’re lonely. Perhaps you’re overworked. Whatever the source, you’re somehow feeling a bit “meh” about everything. The world seems suddenly flat and uninspiring, and your usual feel-good routines – yoga, coffee in the park, a weekend lie-in – just aren’t cutting it.
The solution:
This kind of low-level discontent could be your cue to reinvent your sense of awe at the world. You need an adventure that delivers next-level wow; and Tanzania has it in droves. With a front-row seat to the wildebeest migration, known as “the greatest show on Earth”, this extraordinary adventure promises to delight from every angle.
In-between epic game drives on the Serengeti, you’ll be pampered in style at the one and only Bush Rover Migration Camp, complete with hand-drawn baths and sundowner cocktails. The perfect setting, in other words, to reconnect with all that is great about wildlife – and life in general.
Check out Flash Pack’s full roster of global adventures right here. Three cheers for reviving adventure…
