TRAVEL WITH SERVICE

And How To Do It

BY MELANIE SUE HICKS

The smell of fresh tortillas and homemade refried beans wafted through the air. The scorching sun beat down on us as we made our way to the center of the town square.

As I turned to stand in my appropriate place on the small stage, I was enthralled by the site of the crowd gathering around us in anticipation and curiosity. I was 12 years old, in a country far away, and I was there to serve.

This is my earliest memory of mixing travel and service. As a child of the theatre, my talent to entertain and teach was the most precious commodity I could offer at a young age. And so, a small band of eager preteens from across the US loaded on an airplane and set off for rural Mexico to entertain, to educate, and to serve.

Overthe next three decades, I would continue to find joy and meaning in giving of my time, talent and financial resources in this way. From building houses in Nicaragua to teaching financial literacy in Sierra Leone; from planting urban gardens in Baltimore to sorting books for Africa in Atlanta—the destination rarely mattered, it was the connections that made all the difference.

I find giving back to be as selfish as it is selfless. What I can give to others pales in comparison to what I gain from others and, even more, learn about myself. While I still enjoy the frivolity and relaxation of a simple vacation, the more I turn my travel into service work, the more addictive it becomes to my soul.

Service travel has proven to be a priceless commodity to who I am as a human, teaching me culture and traditions, vulnerability and openheartedness, creativity and solitude. I have been privileged to witness the best of humanity and the evil remnants of the worst. I believe each and every experience I have used my precious capital to provide is an investment in my future self, albeit of a different kind— the intrinsic kind that can neither be fully explained nor fully appreciated by anyone but me and those working beside me. It is my literal take on my favourite Robin Sharma quote:

Life is a mirror. And life gives us not what we want, life gives us who we are.

READY TO TAKE THE LEAP AND SEE HOW YOU LIKE THE INTERTWINING OF SERVICE AND TRAVEL? HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO GET YOU STARTED.

Do you stop to pet every dog you meet, or do the elderly pull at your heartstrings? Do you enjoy using your hands in physical labour, or do you prefer to use your intellectual or emotional talents to help others? To find causes you really believe in, look within yourself and at your natural inclinations. Even if you have never embarked on giving back through service, somewhere in your heart, you already know where you would find joy in contributing.

Let’s face it, service trips are not cushy, comfortable tourist experiences. Often, they involve hard work, scant accommodations, and challenging environments. However, those conditions are precisely why they have such a lasting impact. In Western societies, we are privileged to have hundreds of creature comforts at our fingertips. But that privilege can also have the consequence of muting our sense of gratitude. Placing ourselves squarely in the uncomfortable allows us to reconnect with that sense of appreciation for all our blessings.

One of the best aspects of travel, in general, is the connections we make with those around us if we are open. Aside from the cause itself and the way in which you give back, find ways to surround yourself with the right kind of energy. If you are strongly connected to your religion, perhaps a church or faith-based nonprofit could be a good fit. If you prefer a gender or ethnicity-based group, find those. The more connected you feel to the energy around you, the better you can give of yourself.

There is no way to know what your experience will be like when you take the leap into the unknown. It could be filled with Instagram-worthy moments of beauty or backbreaking heat and travel delays. You might be moved to tears regularly or simply take home a few memories. We cannot force emotional connection any more than we can force spiritual enlightenment. So release any expectations of a life-altering experience and just enjoy every moment as it is.

In my book Incongruent: Travel, Trauma, Transformation, I illustrate my personal mantra: When you see life as an adventure, it is never unrequited. Viewing life as an adventure means you cannot be disappointed. Adventures might have unexpected twists and turns, but they are all a beautiful part of the ride. Using your time and talents to give to others is a special kind of adventure. The kind that leaves lasting memories and imprints on your soul. Embrace it. We have only this one life to leave our mark.

And so, I challenge you to think about your life adventure and how you can intermingle it with impacting others. You might change someone’s life— and that someone might just be you.

Melanie Sue Hicks, author of Incongruent: Travel, Trauma, Transformation, is an adventure-seeking, social impact advocate dedicated to helping others overcome fear and live their dharma. She has led or participated in more than fifty service projects internationally, and is dedicated to creating an impact and amplifying the impact of others every day.

Order her book at melaniehicks.org.

As an empathy-driven author, and education, nonprofit, and workplace expert, she has been featured in Forbes.com, Marie Claire, Authority Magazine, See Beyond Magazine, The District, Doctor’s Life Magazine and more. As an experienced motivational speaker and master facilitator, using her custom 3E Method of Change©, she offers training to organizations focused on helping to navigate the future of education and work for increased retention, productivity, and revenue.

Back by popular demand, our reader mailbag! This email was sent in from Michelle H. in New York.

Hi, Wander! I am hoping to do some solo nomadic travel this Fall, working and living on the road for about 8 weeks. I’ll be leaving from upstate New York and renting an RV from a friend, and my question is about planning my route … should it be totally planned in advance, or should I just plan the first week or so and let things sort of take me where they will after that? I want to get the most from this trip in terms of self-discovery and challenging my comfort zone as feeling a bit stuck in my life, but also feeling massive anxiety about having no plan as a solo female.

Neuman

What a wonderful adventure you have ahead! After living and travelling on the west coast of the USA, Australia, and New Zealand in my van, I can confirm that travelling with an RV is one of the best ways to explore a new place. It gives you a great sense of freedom and, at the same time, the security of having your home always with you.

From your question, I can see that the main reason for your travel is to reconnect with yourself, experience new things, and maybe find a new purpose in your current days. If sightseeing and "tourism" come second, I would allow yourself some space in planning and itinerary. It is definitely good to do a bit of research and highlight a few main points around the route where you want to stop and what you want to see. And maybe have a few first overnight stops planned, so you can relax and get used to this kind of travelling.

But often, a tight itinerary is rather stressful if you start to fall behind. Locals will recommend places for you to visit; you might meet new friends on a route and join them for a couple of days, or you will fall in love with some small town and decide to spend a few days there. In the first week, allow yourself to see what rhythm and pace suit you, and if you feel comfortable, everything else will fall into place. Eight weeks is a great time to experience a lot of adventures!

Don't forget to download a useful app for freedom camping, like iOverlander or FreeRoam and download the GPS maps of your route ahead from Google Maps or HereWeGo. Have a safe trip, and enjoy your journey.

This sounds like a wonderful journey of solo travel and reflection. As a long-term travel coach, I lean more towards planning out your first week, assessing what is going well and what can be adjusted, and continuing to plan out a few days to a week in advance at a time. By setting the intention of self-discovery, I imagine you will be checking in with yourself more often and finding out what you enjoy during this journey.

It may seem counterintuitive but when we travel solo, more people tend to be curious about who we are and what we are doing. You may find yourself with invitations to join other people for a meal or special experience. Having flexibility gives you the option to join in if you wish to.

There are also some logistical concerns to consider. If you plan to stay around the northeast in the peak fall foliage season, there could potentially be limited RV spaces in designated campgrounds. If fast wifi is necessary for your work, this also may require some more advanced planning to ensure you have the resources you need.

Some locations may also have a stronger pull for you than others. Sometimes you may feel complete after a shorter time than expected in one location, and another location begs for more time. By having flexibility, you can spend more time in the places that you really connect with. I wish you a fantastic journey!

Katie Hart Long-Term Travel Coach at Fulfilled Passport Travel fulfilledpassporttravel.com

Jabulile Ngwenya Abundance-Informed Transformational Travel Coach travelafricawithjabu.com

As you embark on this exciting new adventure, I understand the anxiety that comes with travelling alone as a woman. First and foremost, I want to congratulate you on taking this courageous step for yourself. It is an act of self-love that has the potential to truly change your life.

To help ease your worries, let's break down the eight-week journey into manageable pieces and plan for each week. Take some time to decide on the route you'll be taking, the parks or areas where you'll park your RV for the night or day, and even plan out the activities you'll enjoy each week. This kind of detailed planning will bring a sense of calm and reassurance. Knowing that you have a solid plan in place will alleviate some of the stress and give you peace of mind for the physical aspects of the trip.

It's important to remember that plans can change along the way, and that's okay. By planning ahead and addressing any concerns or anxieties, you are proving to yourself that you have the capability to overcome any challenges that may arise. This initial stage of planning and the belief in yourself will boost your confidence and propel you into the next phase of your journey.

I suggest carrying a notebook with you throughout your travels. Whenever you encounter a thought or situation that causes anxiety, write it down. Then, on the following page, counter each anxious thought with a positive affirmation. Reflect on similar situations in the past where you have triumphed over your fears.

For example, if the fear of travelling alone as a woman arises, remind yourself that countless women have embarked on similar trips and succeeded. By acknowledging your fears and replacing them with positive thoughts, you will strengthen your inner resolve.

Undoubtedly, the most challenging moment will be when you leave the comfort of your home and set off on the open road. However, once you take that first step and start driving, you will realize that you have already conquered your fears. From that point forward, follow your plans, knowing that they may evolve as you gain confidence and become more comfortable. Embrace the opportunity to be spontaneous and go with the flow, trusting in yourself and the journey itself.

For now, try not to worry about self-discovery or feeling stuck in life. These questions will naturally unfold as you venture along the road. Remember that some things may not go as planned, and that's perfectly alright. Trust that everything is always working out for your benefit. You'll discover that strangers can be kinder and more helpful than you might initially think. Trust your intuition and allow it to guide you.

Lastly, be immensely proud of yourself and approach this journey with compassion. You are embarking on an incredible adventure, and you are doing exceptionally well.

Erica Forrest Travel Education Specialist and Travel Coach at Trip Scholars tripscholars.com

Congratulations on planning to set off on your solo travel adventure! It's an exciting and adventurous decision, guaranteed to provide you with many opportunities for self-reflection and discovery.

As far as planning your route, that is really a matter of personal preference. If departing without a plan causes you distressing anxiety, remember, this is your trip, and you get to decide how you want to travel! Don’t feel pressured to go without an itinerary if that reduces your angst and makes you more excited about your trip.

Even with a planned schedule, you’ll still have many experiences that challenge you and push you outside of your comfort zone. Travel, by its very nature, is filled with unknowns and new experiences, so you will continually be growing in ways that will transform you. You will be meeting new people, solving unfamiliar challenges on your own, and learning to back up that giant RV—you’ll be seeing every day what a badass solo traveller you really are!

It’s fantastic you are travelling in the fall since you’ll have access to campsites that are fully booked in summer. But you will likely find that prime spots like those right next to rivers, beaches, and national parks need to be reserved, especially if your RV is large. If these top campsites are a high priority for you, I recommend booking in advance, even if you keep other parts of your itinerary loose.

If you set out with at least your first week planned and some of your top destinations already booked, you can change it up as you go – adding or letting go of reservations as your adventure unfolds. With your strong sense of self and your spirit of adventure, you are sure to have an unforgettable and life-changing trip!

The Travel Coach Network (TCN) is the world's first and largest searchable database of travel coaches around the globe who help people use travel as a tool for wellbeing, healing, personal growth, professional development, and transformative experiences. The TCN is also home to the world's first and only ICF-accredited certification program for Certified Travel Coaches.

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