travel Archives – Page 2 of 3

I'm Traveling the World and I Didn't Quit My Job

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Josh

Guest post by Kelsey Dixon
The young professionals of today are writing the history of its generation in the workforce. Our generation is driving change and innovation in our world and it’s different than what the generations before us experienced. So why would the workforce stay the same? We want to live in the NOW and we refuse to only work for retirement.
With the world at our keyboards, our access is limitless. We are more connected than ever. Why not use this as a foundation for a career? For a lifestyle? Work can be a passion and a blend into your personal hopes and dreams. It can be an enabler rather than a detractor.

Curious about how I do what I do?

You may share in my curiosity to seek what is different—what is uniquely your own—and you’re not alone. There are thousands of people, heavily millennials, who are building something from scratch in order for their work to fit their desired lifestyle, not the contrast. It’s not a new concept. But the world is starting to notice, and starting to evolve to fit this lifestyle. Hence why companies like Behere exist, to make living in a new place easier.

There’s enough room and opportunity for anyone to pursue it. Existing roles are being reinvigorated through the perception of a new lens, giving them boundless possibilities of execution. Companies and cultures are shifting to realize that hustle can happen outside of the cubicle and progress can thrive regardless of physical location. On top of this, there are jobs created daily that require no physical space, just skills and a laptop. Even beyond that, we’ve never had better access to the tools that can help us create our own jobs, income and revenue streams—out of thin air.

But how exactly do we do that…

Perhaps the scariest part about this is the fact that no one before us has laid out a successful path for it. We get to pave our own trail, and navigate the speed bumps along the way. This isn’t smooth sailing, this is a caught-in-the-windstorm and batten down the hatches sort of sail. But the cool part is, the views are pretty astounding (literally and figuratively).

This is how it started for me

In September of 2017, I left the comforts of my waterfront Seattle apartment to pursue a dream: live and work abroad. I had heard of the stories about the people who quit their corporate jobs to go live on an island and work behind an ice cream stand. I had seen that this was possible, but I still had to do this radical thing with less-than-specific guidance because I was doing it differently: as an entrepreneur, with clients, with a team, with a co-founder. 99% of my job was through my computer anyway, so in theory, this would work right?
I’ve taken my work abroad, from a van trapezeing around the north and south islands of New Zealand for a month. And I got to see Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, Mt. Cook National Park, Fjord National Park and more.

The South American leg of my journey

While traveling and working in South America, I was the most productive I had ever been, inspired by my environment and the space I worked in. All this instead of feeling the grind of rush hour traffic and inside the sphere of the same four walls every day. My video conferences were super productive because I took advantage of the scheduled time I had with anyone at any given time. No longer were the days of luxury where I could tap my partner on the shoulder and ask a quick question. Instead, I relied heavily on platforms like, Asana, G-chat, Slack, FaceTime, Zoom, Skype or GoogleDocs. We found out by accident (through calling to try and cancel our American cell plan) that our T-Mobile plan allows us unlimited texting and data in more than 210 countries at no additional fees—most of South America included.
The craziest part was the 60-hour round trip drive to Patagonia, and then visiting Patagonia, without taking a single day off work. I’m fortunate here that I have a hubby that loves to drive. I worked a 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. day because that was 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seattle hours. So, in the mornings we hustled the drive, day by day. And we’d find a friendly place to stay (with fast WiFi, always a requirement). I’d finish my day while my husband took care of all our meals, errands and planning next steps (he was also lightly working on a startup of his own). With GoogleDocs’ offline feature, I was even able to knock out a lot of writing while literally surviving the treacherous roads in the middle-of-nowhere Argentina. But I did it. I maintained my high-production workload while seeing El Chalten, hiking the Tres Lagos, exploring Torres del Paine and enjoying coffee in Puerto Natales. Not your normal after-hours activity.

How you can make it possible

My point (and hope) in sharing my story is to show it’s possible. It may sound crazy, but it can be your reality. By working while traveling, I was able to fund our travels so that we could stay longer. And by traveling while working, I brought a fresh, global perspective to our team. By leaving the day-to-day in the office, it also left more responsibility to my team, which equated to massive jump in growth and a slashing of comfort zones. I became a production house for the backend of our business, elevating it to challenge our growth projections even over a successful year prior. And I sat in a hammock rather than at a desk (it wasn’t always that glamorous, but still worth it!).
Again, this is why companies like Behere exist. Because by booking with Behere you have your housing, workspace, fitness studio, plus an international community, all while abroad. This is essential in the world we live in today, where living more flexibly is not only possible, but beneficial in so many capacities. We all have dreams to live a life we wish we had—attach it to an action and a timeline? There will be no better time, so why not now?
And why not you?

Want to travel and live around the world? Here are your next steps.

I shared my story about taking my business abroad. Now, this is how I did it…

Find your work.

There may be an opportunity to do your current job remote. The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris has a lot of helpful tips in asking for it. Otherwise, you’ll need to find it or create it. In finding it, utilize resources, sites and communities that offer remote job opportunities. Have a skill? You could freelance, if you’ve got a little cash saved up that could get you by either before getting work or down the road for a cushion. Or, build it. That’s what I did.
Pick your place.

I recommend somewhere that’s less expensive than where you live now. Behere has some great locations to choose from, so that’s a great place to start. That way, you can give yourself some grace to get set up in your work, and you may even save more money that way (we were able to save a lot more in Chile than what we were saving in the U.S.). Don’t forget to think about timezones. For me, it mattered that I was able to work during Seattle business hours, so South America was appealing for that reason.
Downsize, downsize, downsize.

Sell the things you don’t need on eBay or Craigslist. It’s all replaceable. By having less, you’ll be more mobile and flexible. Bring less clothes, you won’t need them all or you can buy them there (we usually all wear the same core things anyway!).
Get set up.

This seems daunting, but it’s really not too bad once you get into it. This means rerouting your mail to a permanent address if you’re moving out (we chose my mom’s home. Thanks, mom!). Book at least your first week or use a platform like Behere to book everything a month before you arrive. Notify your credit cards (and make sure you don’t have foreign transaction fees). Set aside savings for back up. Adjust your cell plane (T-Mobile’s One Plan provides data/texting in over 210 countries! I highly recommend looking into this option).
Buy the things.

I’m a proponent for downsizing, but there will be some things I’d suggest purchasing to make downsizing easier. For example, clothes that can work for various scenarios. This is largely dependent on where you’re going. Get quality, easy luggage, backpacks and bags to protect your tech as well as portable chargers.
Pick a date.

This might be the most important part of this list. Pick the date and then make the list so you can work backwards toward your goal! Even if you’re not sure if it’ll be possible, if you pencil in the date, the urgency suddenly exists and you can say it out loud and make it real.
GO.

Plan the basics I’ve mentioned here but don’t overly plan and overthink it. Just do it. You CAN. It won’t be perfect, but you’ll figure it out along the way! Enjoy it. Relish in the uncertainty. Know you’re living your dream and most people don’t have the courage to even do that. You’ll figure out the rest, and your experience will be invaluable.

Guest Post by: Kelsey Dixon

Kelsey Dixon is the “Dixon” of the female millennial duo who founded davies + dixon, a digital marketing firm that creates daring ideas to get stories told. Kelsey currently remotely manages her team and clients as she adventures. Follow Kelsey’s journey on Instagram at @kelseystartingroute.

Images and words courtesy of Kelsey Dixon.

11 Inspiring Women Share Stories of Chasing Their Dreams

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Josh

We’ve been delighted to hear so many inspiring ladies stories of chasing after their dreams, finding a way to make a more flexible lifestyle work for them, and stopping at nothing to create a life they adore.

We’ve featured some of these inspiring women on our Instagram and Facebook and are sharing more of their stories here. Full of passion, they’re sure to inspire and encourage you. They might even ignite the fire in you to pursue your crazy big dreams. Because life’s too short and we only have one brilliant chance at building a life we love.

Ami Lee’s story about taking a huge risk then falling in love with her life again.

“Last year I quit my job, packed a bag, and jumped on a plane. People told me I was crazy, that I was ruining my life, that I should be scared. But I didn’t care. I felt suffocated and stuck, so I left. And I met the best damn people on this Earth. I ate street food that fed my very soul and experienced profoundly spiritual moments in ancient, holy places. My heart cracked wide open and fell head over heels in love with life again. I don’t know how I found the courage to get on that plane, but I’m so glad I did. My only regret is not doing it sooner.” – Ami Lee ( @_ami_lee_ )⠀

Grace Kim’s story on being open to taking risks and enjoying life.

“Leaving my job this past March was the hardest and easiest thing to do. The hardest because I’d never done anything that ‘risky’ before. The easiest because I chose myself. Every day, I make my schedule, decide who I see, what I do, how I move, and where I work. There’s nothing more satisfying to my soul.” – Grace Kim @gracejyk

Veronica Stoddart, former travel editor-in-chief of @usatoday, on the importance of travel.

“I consider travel a force for good in the world. I started consulting in early 2015 after a long career with major media companies and absolutely love the flexibility and empowerment of being my own boss and master of my domain. Although I’ve had to learn to manage the ebb and flow of working with clients, it’s been life-changing to be able to decide the kind of work I want to do. Plus, I can work from anywhere, which is a real advantage since I’m on the road so much. Have laptop will travel!” – Veronica Stoddart, @vjstoddart

Viktoria Urbanek and the benefits of remote work for her.

“I’ve worked remotely for the past four years, many times just from my desk at home but also on trains, planes, ferries, and pretty much anywhere. It’s not easy, but the freedom that comes with it is what defines me. Traveling and diving are so much easier when working remotely – I wouldn’t want to change a thing. Proud to be a female entrepreneur!” – Viktoria Urbanek @wanderlustcom

Brianna Valleskey explaining how freelancing has helped her become her happiest self.

“I’m not built for office life. I get extremely antsy when trying to sit still for eight hours a day, and that feeling of being trapped at a desk always made me less productive. But freelancing has freed me to follow my wandering spirit. I now have the pleasure of working with clients across the globe how, where and when I want. My boyfriend and I love to travel, and I couldn’t be happier that I finally have the finances and flexibility to do so.” – @bri_valleskey ⠀

Emily Pelland’s story on her fear of the ordinary inspiring and motivating her.

“My greatest fear is the fear of an ordinary life. It’s the fear of not actually living, of my life being cut short but having never actually painted the colors my mind is full of. The fear of not having stories to tell and the fear of lying in my death bed, and not having used the gift of life wisely. I fear being defined by one career or by one place. People always tell you to face your fears, but I have a hard time believing that this is a fear I should set aside. This is the fear that motivates me and I hope it’s here to stay.” – Emily Pelland, @hikingwithheels

Jacqueline Jensen sharing how remote work has really helped her.

“Working remotely allows me to live a rich life where I can optimize my environment and my day in a way that works best for me. I find I’m more productive, creative, and passionate working remotely compared to times when I have been in an office each day. I’m excited to see how the future of work evolves to give more women the option to be able to work remotely, too!” – @JackieMJensen⠀

Bethany’s story about facing her fears to pursue a life she had been dreaming about.

“A year ago, I booked my one-way ticket, quit my job, sold my car and have not looked back since! Travel has been a massive journey of self discovery for me. I’ve definitely had to work through some big fears and challenges along the way. Travel not only changes your physical reality but it also changes you as a person. I know I’ve had to let go of many beliefs that I held about people and the world in general to make room for what I was now coming to know through real experience. Beliefs about other parts of the world, different cultures, lifestyles, and religions. When you travel it changes the way you see everything and you start to see and experience life with fresh new eyes.” – Bethany, @brownhairedwanderer⠀

Christina’s story on how she finally achieved work-life balance to live the way she wanted. ⠀

“I never believed that work-life balance was possible, or that I could actually create a lifestyle that was equally challenging and fulfilling. When I quit my job to travel, I had no expectations that it would be forever- just a short stint to see the world. But what I found was that once I chose to honor my deepest desires, the world opened up to me in ways that I never thought possible. I experienced true presence, met amazing people, and built a worldwide network just from following my instincts. I’ve gained so much from that act of bravery two years ago, not the least of which is the ability to work where I want, when I want, making as much as I want. It was a scary undertaking and certainly a leap of faith, but looking back, I wouldn’t change it for anything.” – Christina Perricone

Sara’s story of finally giving into her daydreams and pursuing a life she really loves.

“Having been born in Tokyo to mixed race parents, and going back and forth between Japan and the US throughout my childhood, I guess traveling is in my DNA. For as long as I can remember, all I wanted was to continue exploring new cultures, experiencing new places, and meeting amazing and diverse people. I studied in Rome during college hoping it would cure my wanderlust, but it just fed that need even more! Now, after taking the road society expects and working at a desk (while daydreaming about being anywhere else), I’ve finally decided to give into that not-so-quiet voice in my head to build a life that will allow me to travel and do work that I truly enjoy! I have started a social media marketing & VA business and already landed my first client within my first week! I’m now working on building my clientele, leaving my 9-5, and transitioning into taking this full time! I am so excited for this journey and am ready to build a life that I truly love!” – Sara Lovelace, @saralovelace⠀

Sophie’s story on how becoming a freelancer allowed her to follow her intuition.

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“Working as a freelancer allows me to enjoy my freedom, respect my own pace and follow my intuitions. I believe it helps me get the best out of me because I can adjust my working hours and change location often. It keeps me awake, curious and inspired. After a few years working in an office, freelancing has really helped my find myself again, I feel more responsible for my life and alive.” – Sophie Rocher, @pepillustration⠀

These women show how possible it really is to live with flexibility. They all took a leap, to chase their dreams and managed to find a way to make it fit the lifestyle they wanted. Whether you’re just starting your business, have been consulting for ages, or are working a 9-5, know that it is possible to have the life you want. Let these inspiring women light a fire in you to finally take a leap and dive wholeheartedly into chasing your dreams.

Ready to take the leap? We’ve shared a ton of amazing resources here, to help you find remote work, pitch going remote to your boss or level up your freelance game. Happy flex working!

How Millennials Are Changing The Workplace Through Flexible Work

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Josh

Millennials receive a lot of criticism but it’s not all warranted, especially regarding the job market. Millennials are redefining the way we work, benefiting the employee and the employer. Employers now need to hire millennials that are driven, tech-savvy, and have a desire to learn. This often means updating company practices to attract them.

We dove into some things many millennials consider ‘non-negotiable’s’ to pinpoint exactly what they look for in a role…

WHAT MILLENNIALS WANT:

Flexibility

Almost half of all professionals have left a job, or considered leaving, because it lacked flexibility. Millennials want to manage their work/life balance, making flexible hours, vacation time, and location key. This is important because happy, healthy employees with lower stress levels are considerably more productive. Companies like Patagonia are ahead of the curve, allowing workers to plan office hours around outdoor activities, as long as their goals are met.

Working Remote

A study by Leadership IQ found that people who work from home are 87% more likely to “love” their job. Decreasing commute time adds to employee happiness and allows more time for productivity. Also, remote employees are twice as likely to work more than 40 hours a week on important tasks.

A key reason employees want flexible work options is to travel more. People who travel develop excellent critical thinking skills, meet people from diverse backgrounds and are better communicators.

Abandon the Desk Job

Social media, mobile devices and Wi-Fi have made the typical office desk job unnecessary. Sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day is unhealthy, and millennials are looking to break this norm. Working from anywhere results in more fulfilled workers with fewer health problems.

Avoid Boring

Creating an environment where people enjoy the work they’re doing and company culture is crucial for employee retention. Ensuring employees are challenged, learning and applying skills is key to a fulfilling career. This includes additional education and training assistance as a perk that millennials are looking for.

Teams can help attract millennials to energizing environments by offering flexibility, the ability to travel, and strong work-life integration. Establishing a team and strengthening it, regardless of being in-office or remote, helps create a more productive organization.

Culture is Key

Many organizations now focus on nurturing a unique culture that attracts and retains great people. They believe in providing a powerful culture that unites, engages and inspires the employees. By offering opportunities for growth at work, employers work to keep employees happy. These opportunities include training, certifications, attending experts’ workshops, etc..

Be Flexible

Another strategy for employee retention is flexibility. By offering flexible working, companies help employees better balance their work and personal lives. This has a very positive impact on employee satisfaction and retention.

Overall, the way we work is changing. As millennials quickly become the largest part of the workforce, employers need to adapt. Organizations will need to work to recruit young, informed employees by abandoning rigid practices of the past. Workplace flexibility and remote work will benefit companies as a whole. This will foster happy, healthy and productive employees.

And those are the environments millennials want to work in.

Already have a role that lets you work remote and want to try living in a new city? Learn more about how Behere helps you stay productive and live in a global city below.

Written by Katie Tatham
A Vancouver based traveler, foodie and outdoor enthusiast. Connect with her on IG @kltatham.

What My Father's Suicide Taught Me About Traveling Fearlessly

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Josh

Guest Post from Kae Lin via Unearth Women

Grizzly bear encounters, earthquakes while hiking, and erratic temperature changes in the Alaskan wilderness made my worries—about job security, about finances — seem so small. Interior Alaska was unpredictable, and it was frightening to have no control over this uncertain environment. But with every moment that I accepted the harsh tundra of Denali National Park and Preserve as it was, I felt more alive. Acceptance made me fearless, and if I could allow myself to be vulnerable in this uncontrollable landscape, then I could confront all of life’s challenges—including the fact that my father had taken his own life a mere three months before.

Living by the rules

I had always lived life by the rules. I went to college, got a business degree, and got a job in marketing. There, I wore suits, carried a briefcase, and had my own office. I had control (or I thought I did), and that meant life was good. At least that’s what I was told, especially by my father, who’d spent 24 years teaching me what it meant to be successful.

Though I wanted to do more with my life, my dad’s approval of it was validating. But somewhere, what I truly wanted him to understand was that this briefcase-carrying career woman was not me. I had dreams of becoming a travel writer. “Dreams are just that—they’re not meant to be acted upon,” he would say. To him, the illusion of stability and security that comes with a salaried job was not worth giving up. Fear of losing my safe life and his approval turned this into gospel.

The author’s father, Mark Kennedy © | Kae Lani

What do I do…

Then, on the morning of May 12th, 2014, my father, Mark Edward Kennedy, wandered into the woods and ended his life. I was in my office when I got the news. As the enormity of the situation became clear to me, my mind short-circuited like a clock, ticking progressively more slowly until it stopped: Tick—how can I fix this? Tick—this wasn’t part of the plan. Tick—where did I go wrong? Then time ran out on life as I knew it, and there was no going back. Between convulsive screaming fits, I repeated the words “What do I do? What do I do?” I was directionless. The man who taught me how to live had just given up on living.

Dad’s philosophy of life had been to avoid anything uncertain. He never took a vacation because bosses would see that the company could continue without him, and his fiscal plan consisted of stashing large amounts of cash away in a tin can, never spending a cent on anything he considered frivolous. Of course, in practice that meant travel was often out of the question. He protected himself from pursuing a life of deeper meaning and wanted to shelter me as well because in his mind there were too many chances for it all to go wrong.

At his funeral, a slideshow of pictures highlighted the events of his life. Pictures of birthdays and holidays brought back pleasant memories, but there was no sense of life-fulfilling accomplishment. I mourned losing him, but what I mourned more than anything else was his lost potential and a long list of dreams unrealized—unrealized except for one: traveling to Germany.

Family Trip Memories

My mother and I spent much of our family trip to Germany trying to convince him that the experience was worthwhile, but he was reluctant to venture outside of his comfort zone. His misery peaked somewhere between Ulm and Schwangau on the way to visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. We’d left Heidelberg at 4 a.m., and we were about five hours into our six-hour train ride. Sore from the uncomfortable seat and exhausted from sleep deprivation, he made it clear that he wasn’t happy being yanked from his routine. “I don’t see the point of jumping through all of these hoops just to see a damn castle,” he said and proclaimed that he would go straight to sleep once we got to the hotel. But when the snow-capped Alps came into view and we saw the fairy-tale castle perched among the clouds and mountain peaks, his perspective on the situation changed.

Suddenly he was leading the charge. We explored Neuschwanstein and the town of Schwangau. He sampled blood sausage, bought a traditional Bavarian Alpine hat, and even tried to speak German (he knew more of the language then he gave himself credit for). But the moment when I sensed that he was authentically happy was when he marched toward the Alpsee Lake with an ice cream in his hand, singing an old song from Looney Tunes: “You Never Know Where You’re Goin’ Till You Get There.”

The family trip to Germany © | Kae Lani

Chasing the dream

At the end of the journey, he finally understood that it wasn’t just about seeing a castle — it was the reward and the thrill of fearlessly facing the unknown in pursuit of a dream. He talked about that trip for years, completely forgetting how miserable and uncomfortable he had been at the beginning.

After Dad’s funeral, my roommate, Nicole, and I talked about dreams. “I want to look at a mountain from another mountain,” she said, “but it’s stupid.”

“Never call your dreams stupid,” I replied. But who was I to judge? I had been sabotaging myself, downplaying my own dreams for years. Nicole, my dad, and I were not so different. But what was the worst that could happen? Why not look at a mountain from another mountain? Why not take a shot at becoming a travel writer?

So I broke my dad’s rules. That August I quit my job, and a day later Nicole and I headed to Alaska. I had been shown firsthand that life’s too short and fragile to live in fear, so I vowed to pursue a life where I would leave no dream untouched.

A victory jump in Alaska © | Kae Lani

Alaska

The Alaskan wilderness tested my limits. My sunburned face and callused feet ached; the idea that wolves could be stalking us was unnerving; waving my arms in the air to scare away bears sounded like a bad joke. But as Nicole and I approached the cliff and looked out over the grandeur of Denali National Park and Preserve, 20 miles from Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest mountain—much as my dad did when he saw the Alps—I recognized that being fearless and risking my comfort to witness this majestic mountain made life worthwhile. We were looking at a mountain from another mountain, and living this dream was more fulfilling than any promotion, raise, or record month of sales. We made it. I made it.

On May 12, 2014, my father walked into the woods and was too frightened to confront life’s uncertainty. And in that final act of suicide, he taught me the greatest lesson of all: that a life worth living is one lived fearlessly.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

This article was originally published on Yahoo and reshared here.

About Kae Lani: While some travellers follow their hearts, Kae Lani follows her gut. In addition to working as a travel writer, photographer, and videographer for USA Today 10Best, Kae Lani is also the co-creator of their newest venture, Eat Sip Trip. She has shared her love of food and travel on live broadcasts and has appeared as a guest on Cheddar TV and NASDAQ.

Nervous Flyer? These Tips Will Ease Your Stress

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Josh

If turbulence makes your stomach drop, here’s help for the nervous flyer in many of us.

Guest Post by Rebecca Muller, Editorial Fellow at Thrive Global

If the idea of boarding a plane makes your palms sweaty and a turbulent bump makes your stomach flip, you may be a nervous flyer. Flying can be an overwhelming experience, and with the stresses that come with summer travel, we want to help you do what you can to ease your flying anxiety for your own well-being. Even if you’re travelling with others, self-care is important — you should always secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others, after all. Here are five ways to calm your nerves before takeoff:

1. Imagine Yourself Somewhere Else

If you feel overwhelmed by the fact that you’re 30,000 feet in the air somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, try closing your eyes for a few minutes and simply imagine you’re somewhere else. This therapeutic tool is called “visualization,” and experts say the technique can work to distract yourself in stressful situations. According to research conducted by clinical psychologist, Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D, individuals who spent five minutes visualizing themselves somewhere else when they were in a stressful environment found significant relief from their anxious feelings.

2. Write With Your Non-Dominant Hand

It might sound crazy, but after you board your flight, take out a pen and paper, and practice writing your name with your non-dominant hand. Captain Ron Nielson, a pilot of over 40 years, said on the Today Show that this distracting exercise can really help ease the nerves before the plane even leaves the ground. The activity forces your brain to focus on an attention-consuming task, concurrently steering your focus away from your anxious thoughts.

3. Try A Mental Rehearsal

According to licensed psychologist Nancy Mramor Ph.D., relaxing before a flight takes a little bit of advanced prep — or, “mental rehearsal,” as she calls it. “A person needs some preparation in order to reduce the anxiety,” Dr. Mramor told us. “If they know how to relax in general, through mindfulness perhaps, then they will be in a good place to use the same methods before and during the flight.” Dr. Mramor also says that individuals should work actively to get rid of any negative associations with flying. “If they have had a traumatic flight experience,” she says, “they may need help to break the negative association and reset their expectations,” which can be done with therapeutic methods, such as counting backwards and imagining oneself going down stairs. By distracting your mind with specific motions, you can snap out of your current mindset and focus on something else entirely.

4. Reject The “What If” Thoughts

Often times, we build on our anxious thoughts internally once we keep thinking “what if” without stopping ourselves. Instead of falling down the overwhelming rabbit hole, try writing down 2-3 fears of yours on paper to get them out of your head. You can even give yourself a pep talk, according to Debbie Joffe Ellis, Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Columbia University. “Focus on good in your life and think about what you’re grateful for,” she told us. “Refuse to think about ‘what ifs’” by focusing on positivity instead, and physically getting the thoughts out of your head.

5. Don’t Breathe Too Deeply

Finally, breathing. The typical advice we hear when we’re anxious is to take a deep breath — but according to New York City-based physiotherapist Patricia Ladis, ECC, taking overly-exaggerated breaths may actually make you more anxious when you’re already in a panicked state. The alternative? Work on taking quiet, soft breaths, suggests Ladis. “Bring your tongue to the roof of your mouth — this is the ideal position for relaxing the neck and the upper chest,” she explains. “Then, with your mouth closed, gently breathe in and out through your nose, from 2 to 5 minutes.” It may not feel natural at first, but the slow rhythm of your small breaths will help relax your body and bring you to a more mindful state.
Originally posted on Thrive Global.
Written by Rebecca Muller, Editorial Fellow at Thrive Global.

Feeling more confident about flying now? Choose a new city to explore below!

Why Women Who Travel Make Great Employees

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Josh

Today, post-secondary education is very common, and many millennials look for work right after graduation. So what sets apart a great employee, from the others? One thing is almost guaranteed: travel. This applies to everyone, but even more so, for women. Women who travel make better employees because, these women bring valuable skills they gained while traveling, to the workplace.

Here’s why women who travel make the best employees:

They’re the best problem solvers.

Women who travel, especially alone, develop the ability to solve any problem they encounter. When in a country where you don’t speak the language, navigating can be intimidating, but it’s something travellers are used to. Trains are closed for the day? They’ll find a bus. Arriving in a city late at night? They’ll research the quickest way to reach their accommodation safely. They’ve come to realize any problem can be solved with some quick thinking, and they’ll bring this to your team.

They’re independent and confident.

It takes a woman with these qualities to leave their comfort zone, and once they go, these traits strengthen. There is nothing more empowering than navigating through a country on your own, knowing you can take on whatever comes your way. When they’re back in the office, they have the confidence to take on tasks with little direction, self-motivate, and self-start, all extremely valuable qualities in an employee.

They’re good with people.

Part of traveling is meeting people, whether it’s locals or fellow travellers, and women who travel develop excellent interpersonal skills. When women first start travelling alone, it can be very intimidating to talk to people they don’t know. But it quickly becomes natural, and employers will likely notice female travellers ease quickly into the interview process, because talking to someone new is common for them. This translates into their work, making them good communicators and a great team member.

They’re eager to learn.

Travellers are curious about the world, and looking to gain knowledge of a culture other than their own. This open-mindedness allows them to absorb new information, and search for new ways to learn whenever they can. These women never want to be bored, and are always looking to be engaged. When they’re on your team, you can count on them to look for a different perspective and a challenge.

Women who travel make excellent employees, who are ready to rise to a challenge and self-manage. Like all millennials, female travellers are looking for flexibility in the workplace , so employers need to work to retain them. Hiring quality employees who have gained these valuable skills will create a strong, dynamic team that can work together to drive your organization forward.

Written by Katie Tatham – @kltatham

Don't Pity Me, I Actually Love Eating Alone

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Josh

“It’s something of a personal rebellion, an effortless rejection of a societal norm.”

Guest Post By: Alexandra Hayes

The last restaurant I ate alone at was Whitman’s, a burger joint in Manhattan’s East Village. I brought the book I’m currently reading, The Female Persuasion, and ordered a turkey burger. I was one of two parties dining in the restaurant that night; the other was a larger group, debating topics from the legitimacy of online therapy, to whether or not one woman’s father was actually an a**hole. Their voices naturally rose as their conversation got heated (“No, it’s not worth the money! The therapist doesn’t even give me advice!“). I felt annoyed because I had come to the restaurant to eat my burger and read quietly. I wondered if the waitress could sense my disapproval of the other table’s loud banter.

In that moment, I had to remind myself that most people come to restaurants (and particularly, burger joints) to socialize, so I let go of my desire to read and instead, found solace in my own thoughts.

I first started eating alone at restaurants when I was in high school, after I’d gotten my driver’s license. At the time, I did it mainly to escape; my Teenage self was angsty and always “needed space.” I don’t recall ever feeling self-conscious about my solo dining habit, or even really giving it much thought. Walking into a restaurant and saying, “Table for one, please,” came naturally to me. Though, I suppose to others, a 16-year-old girl eating alone in a restaurant may have looked like something of an anomaly.

As a young woman living in New York City, I continue to find comfort in my mealtime ritual. I eat dinner alone, at a restaurant, at least once a week and my routine brings me a sense of confidence and joy. Generally, when I mention to friends or coworkers that it’s something I actually enjoy, they laugh, say “Wow” or exclaim that eating alone in public is something they’d never do. Their discomfort at the idea is often palpable.

Oxford Economics recently published a study that found regularly eating alone is one of the strongest associating factors with unhappiness. Based on other people’s reactions to my habits, I wasn’t surprised to see these results. But I feel a personal sense of disagreement. The study seems to suggest that regularly eating alone could be harmful, which certainly isn’t my experience. Still, I’m sure it’s true eating alone day after day by circumstance, rather than choice, could definitely be lonely.

Personally, I eat dinner “in isolation” one or two times a week. The other nights are spent dining with my partner or friends. “Maybe that’s why I’m cool with eating alone in public?” I asked myself while writing this. I’d suddenly felt less able to give myself credit for a habit I’m pretty proud of. Do I only enjoy this ritual because it’s one pleasant moment of solitude in a life otherwise filled with joyful social experiences? Perhaps.

But then I remember that it’s also true that I’ve enjoyed eating alone since I was a teenager. The habit actually formed when I didn’t have a loving partner, or many friends, and was actually struggling with waves of depression.As the study suggests, humans crave social interaction. “Evening meals are often best to spend with others,” says Dr. Robin Dunbar, who worked on the Oxford Economics study. “The act of eating, and the accompanying social interaction, both trigger endorphins.” Plus, not only does that habit trigger a physical response—for many of us, it’s also considered the norm.

Western society often shames those who opt out from any social experience. I wonder if that’s part of the reason why I find my ritual so appealing. Though I don’t get the endorphin benefit that Dunbar talks about—it’s still something of a personal rebellion, an effortless rejection of a societal norm. Really, other people’s discomfort in doing something that feels so natural to me has made me feel confident, and a little contrarian, I like that. Truthfully, there’s probably also a part of me that just likes to eat alone, simply because I like the idea that I’m the sort of unusual lady who likes to eat alone.

Written by Alexandra Hayes, Thrive Global Audience Engagement Editor

Originally Posted on Thrive Global.

There is a certain pleasure that comes from experiencing things alone; eating along, solo traveling, doing new things on your own. It can be challenging to get comfortable with as its a learning process, one that can be quite rewarding. You can new found independence and experiences that you would have never had otherwise. At Behere we understand the desire and fears around doing things on your own, so we work to make it a comfortable, invigorating process.

24 hours of Food in Lisbon: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Josh

A quick trip to Lisbon can leave you overwhelmed with where to eat. So we thought we’d share our top spots for each meal, so you can be ready to hit the tiled, hilly roads running (all 7 of them). From breakfast, to lunch, to dinner, we’ve got you covered on the tastiest spots to eat.

Breakfast in Lisbon: La Boulangerie (Docas)

Our personal breakfast fav!
There is only one thing better than the scent of freshly baked croissants and that is the taste of a croissant. La Boulangerie, serves some of the best croissants for brunch, along with scrambled eggs, a bread basket, homemade jams, Nutella, fresh cheeses, cured hams and sausages, salad and fruit. Who could forget the famous Portuguese tarts as well!
Recommendations
Food: Try the delicious Croissants & the Pastels de Nata
Drink: Espresso & Fresh Orange Juice
La Boulangerie
Rua do Olival, 42 Lisboa

Lunch in Lisbon: Time Out Market Lisboa

With something for everyone, this seaside market is a must visit when in Lisbon! Always busy, the food is fresh and the wine is pouring. With over 40 options, including a restaurant serving just tartar (with vegetarian options of course), the best food from all over Portugal is brought together in one place.
Recommendations
Food: Fresh tuna tartar
Drink: Vinho Verde (Portuguese green wine)
Time Out Market
Avenida 24 de Julho,
Mercado da Ribeira, 1200-479 Lisbon

Dinner in Lisbon: In Boca Al Lupo (Amoreiras)

Lisbon’s first organic pizzeria, this is a must visit for those who love thin-crust pizza. The restaurant is simple, but expect to eat well here. You can also watch them prepare your food in front of you, from the rolling of dough to the fresh baking. You can taste organic mozzarella from Italy and legumes from a farm in Portugal. With vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, everyone can leave satisfied.
Recommendations
Food: Pizza Caprese & Ravioli with hokkaido squash and goat cheese
Drink: Quinta do Côa (Red wine from the Douro valley)
In Bocca Allupo
R. Manuel Bernardes 5, 1200-009 Lisboa

Ready to eat your way through Lisbon? Get started below to plan your trip now!

Women Making Moves | Sahaj Kohli

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Josh

We think this incredible lady, Sahaj Kohli, is great for many reasons. But we especially love the impact she has through her writing and her emphasis on self-love. Sahaj shared some great insights with us about her experience solo traveling and why she thinks it’s the most important thing you can do for yourself.

Tell Us About Yourself…

“I’m Sahaj Kohli, and I’m currently a senior editor at HuffPost. I’m very passionate about traveling, personal development, and being a good aunt to my four nephews.

I believe in the power of vulnerable storytelling to connect with other people. So, I translate most of my inner dialogue into written form via Instagram or blog posts.

I spend most of my free time wandering (even in my own city), reading, eating fried chicken sandwiches, and obsessively checking flight prices to cities around the world.” (us too on that last one!)

When You Booked Your First Ever Solo Trip, What Scared You Most?

“I booked my first solo trip in 2014, to Croatia and Iceland for about 2.5 weeks. It was only a month after a devastating four-year relationship breakup. I think initially, it was a combination of me taking control of a situation I felt powerless in and wanting to physically run away.

SPOILER ALERT: You can’t run away from emotional pain.

It was incredibly hard being heartbroken and alone abroad. After a few days, and reminders that my NYC life would still be there when I got back, I was able to enjoy myself and meet people.

So much of who I was, had been wrapped up with this person who no longer wanted to be with me.

Meeting people after a breakup is so underrated.

It’s so much hard, internal work to get to a place where you are comfortable with who you are and what you are worth.

My first solo trip taught me this lesson x5. It not-so-gently showed me that I am a person who occupies space, with or without a partner. I am worthy of genuine human connection in all forms. I don’t think anything is of greater importance than fostering that connection with everyone I meet.”

How Has Solo Travel Inspired You, Pushed You, Changed You?

“Solo travel has most importantly taught me; I have everything I need within myself, to get through anything life throws my way. It’s also taught me that I’m stronger, and more resilient and capable, than I’ve ever given myself credit for.

It’s shown me, over and over, that I’m worthy of the space I occupy, as I mentioned. I just need to remember that it’s very important how I occupy that space.”

What Else Should We Know About You..

“My default emotion is guilt, so I have been trying to tackle that and really focus on investing in myself.

Self-love is often perceived as selfish by people who want more from you and/or ourselves when we feel like we aren’t doing enough for other people.

Because of this, I started a FB group where I get like-minded women together to tackle the idea that; taking care of ourselves is not selfish but necessary to tap into our potential the world needs from us.

Likewise, I’ve launched a solo travel (in your own city) newsletter. It replicates lessons and experiences one has traveling alone in a new place and allows for someone to have them in the comfort of their own city.

Why?

Because it’s important to know you can strengthen your self-reliance and confidence without leaving home. Routine is the one thing that gets in most people’s way and it’s what leads it complacency. When we remove that, we’re able to focus on ourselves and how we fit into our world.

Lastly, everyone should try solo traveling once in their life.

Single, in a relationship — it doesn’t matter. It’s truly the most interesting, difficult, amazing way to learn who you are and love who you are.”

Learn more about Sahaj at sahajkohli.com and follow along IG @sahajkohli.

This New Research Will Encourage You to Finally Take That Trip

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Josh

We’ve all been there – spent hours endlessly scrolling through Instagram. Trying to think of how we can travel more. How we can be that relaxed woman having coffee on a balcony in Europe, or wandering rice fields in Bali.

But when we actually think about doing it; talking to our employers or taking the leap to freelance, finding an apartment (and which neighborhood?!) a place to work from, a new gym, a new coffee spot, that healthy place we love for lunch, etc. we get overwhelmed. It all sounds too challenging. So we settle back into our ‘somewhat satisfying’ daily lives, still dreaming about it.

We get it, we’ve been there too. It’s why we started Behere, to make traveling and living abroad actually possible. But we also know everyone needs a little push to follow their dreams so…

This research, might be that extra encouragement you need to finally do it.

A new study found living abroad is a rare kind of transitional experience that helps clarify your ‘self-concept clarity’. Self-concept clarity is your understanding of who you are and where you are going in life. So essentially, living abroad helps you find yourself, something we’re all trying to figure out.

Living abroad helps with this because your new environment helps you discover what you do and do not value. Plus, the influences of your culture, society and network are not present. When you interact with new cultures, you realize which values are yours and which are simply a product of your upbringing.

The study found there are numerous benefits to living abroad, including; greater life satisfaction, decreased stress, improved job performance and increased clarity on the types of careers that best match your strengths and values. This has become so important today, with the vast range of career options available.

In order to gain the most clarity, the study showed that you have to actually live abroad (ie spend a month or more there). So going travelling or backpacking through 5 countries in 14 days won’t yield the same results .

The researchers wrote, “Our studies demonstrate that living abroad affects the fundamental structure of the self-concept by enhancing its clarity. The German philosopher Hermann von Keyserling wrote in his 1919 book,

‘The shortest path to oneself leads around the world.’

Almost 100 years later, our research provides empirical evidence in support of this idea.”

This study proves what we’re doing at Behere and the lifestyle we’re helping you attain, is really helpful in better understanding who you are, and what you want. And we think that’s pretty darn cool.

So to learn more about Behere click here.

The study was conducted by researchers from Rice University, Columbia University and the University of North Carolina and can be found here.