No, Anxiety is not the name of my spouse, best friend or significant other. This is not the story of how Anxiety and I quit our corporate jobs and headed off happily into the sunset to see the world together. But, in its own way, Anxiety has been a faithful companion. When I first shared the idea of traveling the world, Anxiety was… well…hesitant to say the least. Nevertheless, I put a few belonging in storage, packed up my bags, and Anxiety and I began an adventure together.
“Free spirits” come in all shapes, sizes and colors. For me, my desire to have adventures and see the world is saddled with my own challenges with anxiety. At its worst it’s been paralyzing, but in the daily rhythm and play of life it typically ranges from light to moderate. Frequently present. Notably there. Anxiety.
The point is Anxiety (or fill in the blank with your personal flavor of challenge) doesn’t have to be the death sentence or curtain call on a life of travel and adventure. I am not your typical traveler and I have learned to more peacefully make my way as I weave my life with new experiences, cultures, people, surroundings. I take things more slowly, I plan things more carefully, and I allow plenty of time to be on my own. I also make things like spiritual practice and healthy eating a priority no matter where I am in the world.
In truth takings risks and having experiences in new cultures is in itself an antidote for anxiety. There is something healing about getting out of familiar waters and swimming in a world with a different syncopation from your own. New and more liberating patterns begin to develop. The more I stretch myself, the more healthy risks I take and new successful experiences I have, the more peaceful this life with Anxiety becomes.
I can still remember my first major breakthrough I had traveling with Anxiety. I was working and living at a seminar house in Germany. Every weekend the house was filled with participants attending the workshop of the week. Being surrounded by so many people on a daily basis sent Anxiety shooting through my spine. Just the sound of their voices in the morning typically sent my body into intense nervous positioning. Until one day. One day I was lying in bed and when I heard the voices of the participants coming down the stairs, rather than be tangled with Anxiety I found I was… excited to hear them. Glad they were there. And so began the unfolding of transforming my life traveling with Anxiety.
Still today, four years later, Anxiety and I haven’t yet parted ways. Anxiety hasn’t willfully gone its own way, packing its bags and going off to India or perhaps returning to the States. It’s still there, sharing my morning cup of tea, questioning my decision-making, planning the events for the week. Undoubtedly our relationship has softened. Life with Anxiety is easier, way easier than when we first left the States together four years ago.
There are some things I have learned to count on to soften the daily cry of Anxiety while I am roaming the world. They are the first things that I pack and have become some of my new companions, ushering in more peace and comfort no matter where I am in the world.
1. Reiki. Reiki is one of my daily spiritual practices. It is something I first discovered over ten years ago on a flier at a yoga studio in New Orleans. Reiki is a very simple practice of connecting with a healing energy that is deeply relaxing and healing. I am so grateful that after a nervous or challenging day or moment, I can simply lay my hands on myself and receive Reiki and much of that nervousness is just washed away. If you’d like to know more about Reiki, you can visit my Reiki page or feel free to contact me.
2. Art of Living Practices. Ten years ago in New Orleans I took a class from an organization called the Art of Living founded by Indian Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The organization came to New Orleans to assist the people with getting back to life after the impact of Hurricane Katrina. I learned their foundational spiritual tool, the Sudarshan Kriya. This is now a daily practice and how I nearly always start my day. It melts away pain, discomfort and anxiety and puts me in a softer, better place. Recently I attended their second course, The Art of Silence. The course deepened my understanding and appreciation of their practices and also deepened my own spiritual reservoir creating a space for greater inner, unshakable peace.
3. Healthy Eating. It is a priority for me to eat healthy and balanced meals no matter where I am in the world. I have learned that for me life with Anxiety is exponentially better WITHOUT SUGAR AND CAFFEINE. Additionally, I find I feel better without eating any added preservatives or chemicals. I also eat Gluten Free. This is not easy on the international road, but it makes a big difference and truly is part of what makes this international life “doable” for me. When arriving to a new country, I do my best to get the lowdown on the food contents there, to sniff out a few healthy restaurants and groceries where I can shop, and then begin to build a healthy food base for myself.
4. Taking time for myself. There is so much pressure in life to go, go, go. But the truth is I feel so much better when I have time for myself. So I do my best to create and allow for generous portions of time on my own without much on the agenda.
5. Yoga. I first began practicing yoga in New Orleans almost 15 years ago. It was my first step in using spiritual practices to soften and heal my personal and physical challenges. It is something I have taken on the road and try to work into my daily life. Even just ten or 15 minutes on the mat makes a difference. Whether I am doing yoga in the fields of France, or in my room in Thailand, yoga is a constant companion and a place I can always come home to. Yoga classes have not always been available on my journey, so I have relied on my own personal yoga practice. I check out local studios when available. From time to time, I have also done a yoga class on the web from sites like doyogawithme.com. My friend Miss Amanda at Inner Lift Yoga also has a great online video.
6. Chanting with SGI Buddhism. I began chanting with SGI Buddhism about four years ago. I was invited to a meeting and couldn’t help but notice the powerful current generated from their chanting. I was encouraged to try chanting for myself and chant for things I wanted in my life. Surprisingly they easily flowed into being. I began a regular chanting practice and it’s as if the current of my life is flowing more abundantly and heartily. My daily chanting practice brings positive attention to those thing that are on my mind or that I am concerned about. It softens the edges of my fears and anxiety. And often it connects me with powerful community as SGI Buddhism meets all over the world. Whether I am living in Vienna, Austria or visiting family in small town Missouri, I have access to the much appreciated community and support of SGI Buddhism.
7. Supporting Others. Finally, I have learned that it’s healthy to take time daily to focus my attention on others. I mostly do this through my spiritual practices including sending Reiki to others needs or chanting for others. I also enjoy taking action to support friends and acquaintances on their own personal journeys and adventures in ways that work in my life. Supporting others rounds out the well-being of my life.
Anxiety and I, we’re not perfect. We still have our challenges and ups and downs. But I am so grateful that I “took the leap” and was willing to say “yes” to my sense of adventure rather than just “yes” to Anxiety. With the support of family, friends and mentors, I followed my delight and inspiration. It’s not always the easy road. Often the challenging road. But traveling the world with Anxiety…well… it has made all the difference.
Gypsy Woman 