It’s time for another episode of The Baggage Reclaim Sessions.
In episode 42:
Holidaying On Your Own: Nearly thirteen years later, I still say that one of the best things I’ve ever done is go away on holiday on my own. I’ve since travelled on my own many times and I share a couple of stories from that first trip and a few tips for getting the most out of your holiday (or ‘vacation’ as Americans call it).
The Real Frauds Don’t Have Imposter Syndrome: The ones who really are bad at their jobs don’t worry about being a fraud and probably don’t even think they’re doing a bad job!
Listener Question: Dee’s spent the last six years bouncing from casual relationship to casual relationship and has hit rock bottom and wants to know how to begin breaking the cycle now that she knows that she wants a relationship, marriage and kids.
What I Learned This Week: This week I received some news that no person wants to hear and I’m having to learn to accept the way that things have been. Probably the toughest What I Learned This Week that I’ve ever had to share.
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Listener questions can be emailed to podcast AT baggagereclaim DOT com and if there’s a topic you’d love me to talk about, let me know!
Nat xxx
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Hi Natalie. The link you embedded is for episode 41, not 42. Just wanted to let you know! I’ll also take this opportunity to say that I discovered this site recently, and at a time in my life when I really needed it. Thanks so much for the great content 🙂
Meant to say thank you and that this did get corrected!
Natalie, thank you for who you are and the gift you are to me and many other women in helping to unload our emotional baggage. I wish you all the best these upcoming weeks and months in dealing with the news that you shared with us. Hugs from one of your readers!
Thank you, Aries! Big squeezy hugs to you!
Big hugs Natalie. You are so wise and so right in knowing that all the work you’ve done will give you strength during this really hard time. And, by virtue of this, will also allow you to keep teaching us what you have learned, as you always do so wonderfully. So great to hear you say that you’ll be taking good care of yourself over these next few months. Thanks for what you do, it’s very special. Xxx
Thank you Nicola. The sense of support I have has made an immense difference over this couple of weeks. I really appreciate you reaching out. Big squeezy hugs.
Traveling alone is something I actually prefer over traveling with others, believe it or not. Even though I am poor, I have traveled alone to almost 15 countries using websites such as theflightdeal.com, secretflying.com (they only post crazy low deals), utilizing RyanAir cheap flights, airfarewatchdog for alerts,etc.
For lodging I use COUCHSURFING.com whenever possible. Why? IT’s free, but even more so, even when I can afford to pay for an AirBnb I always go for couchsurfing for at least a few days if possible. This website literally changed my life. You wouldn’t believe the amazing people I have met through it, and they have been so generous and so happy to show me around their country or city, show you the places only locals know. Yes, there is obviously some amount of risk, just like anything else in life, but it is really easy to pick a good host. Go for one with many references, same gender as you, etc. And if you can’t find a couchsurfing host, hostels are good too and cheap, and you can meet many wonderful people in hostels too who will tour around with you.
Traveling alone helps you meet more people from the country you are in, forces you to be extroverted, etc. I have such great stories…from getting elementary school kids in Cairo to draw pictures in my sketchbook, the PhD couple in Belgium I stayed with who gifted me a 50 euro roundtrip train ticket they had left over to Bruges, I even met one of my now ex boyfriends accidentally through couchsurfing! We’re no longer dating but remain close friends. This website literally changed my life and if you are adventurous like me I can’t recommend it enough.
I traveled alone to Puerto Rico and Culebra for a solid 8 days and it helped my mental health immensely. I was really struggling with the aftermath of a baaaaaaad breakup and a baaaaaaad job experience, and I almost started crying on the flight home because I had had such a beautiful trip and met so many beautiful people and saw so many amazing things.
So yes, I highly recommend it too and am excited to see that it is a topic of this week’s podcast. Am now going to listen and see what else is added to the topic.
Wow, you are very cool. I’ve never tried Couchsurfing.com but have used Airbnb in the US, Amsterdam, Spain and here in the UK–I got a voucher from you so thank you for that although I can’t use it!
You have amazing experiences that are life-enriching. Travelling is good for the soul and powerful in educating you. It opens you up to seeing the differences in others. It helps you step outside of yourself and being out of routines that hold you back at home can be transformative. Now the key is to insert some of your vacation habits into your day-to-day life!
Natalie,
Wow. I’m so sorry to hear of your recent news, but appreciate the sharing of your experience with us. Grief can be challenging when it comes to healthy relationships, let alone when it comes to complicated ones. Be super kind and compassionate with yourself. I hope this time brings much healing to you and your father. I’ve spent the last 6 years either volunteering or working in Hospice. Let me know if and how I can support you. Big hugs and prayers to you!
Thank you Tiffany and sorry that it’s taken me a while to get caught up. Your compassionate words are very touching and very much appreciated. Sending you big hugs too.