How Travel Helps Heal Heartbreak
A Journey Halfway Across the Globe Helped Make Me Whole
Recently, a wrecking ball knocked on my door. It carried me across the globe in a tidal wave of turmoil, seeking not only to rediscover my true essence again but perhaps fall in love with myself for the very first time.
That wrecking ball was my husband’s drunk, burlesque-dancing mistress in full garb on my doorstep, there to show me proof I can never unsee of their lengthy affair. I was utterly blindsided. In shock.
Despondent.
You’d think one revelation such as this — and it was quite the dramatic revelation — would be devastating enough, but no, there were more to follow. And into a deep, dark hole of disbelief and anguish I sank.
Being a nomad — not in the coffee-shop-camping, wi-fi-reliant digital sense — since birth, my first instinct was to run far, far away.
So, I did.
To a place that reshaped my heart and that I will forever consider possibly the most healing destination ever, Thailand.
Yes, in general traveling can be curative, no matter the place. Personally, I believe pushing your boundaries by traveling to a foreign country is ideal.
It helps reset your thinking.
HOW?
Your heart and soul begin to heal with distance from your norm and by living an entirely different way of life.
You begin to remember who you are at your core when pulled out of your element.
You walk endlessly, culturally immersing yourself while interacting with locals and exploring neighborhoods, restaurants and sights.
Surrounding yourself with new and interesting things is captivating and allows your brain to chew on something other than pain.
Planning activities and navigating yourself to them proves pleasantly distracting.
Seeing immense poverty in places can serve as a reminder that no matter your strife, things can always be worse.
Ancient relics and remnants instill an understanding that sheer strength has allowed natural and manmade things to survive many a storm.
Interacting with international, globally minded people is inspiring.
Conquering trials and tribulations that spring up during travel build courage. You remember that you can move mountains if you just try.
Back to Thailand. Why is it an idyllic place to mend, from heartbreak or any other type of trauma? For a plethora of reasons.
Travel can be as healing as it can exhilarating.
In lieu of expectations, I set intentions on the long journey there. Here is a snippet from my documented desire during this soul-searching adventure (I went deep, so feel free to grab a bucket):
Mission accomplished. Here’s how.
Our bodies, unfortunately, hold on to any stress, anger, sadness or anxiety we don’t release or process somehow. Therefore, I got six massages while there.
Yes, six.
Oh, and several other spa treatments.
Because they average $7 each. Seriously. For hour-long sessions of therapeutic, manual bodily manipulation.
No happy ending needed. They’re glorious as-is. Even with airfare, it’s cheaper than a week at some swanky spa resort anywhere else.
Communication came into play sans words, in the form of grunts, popping joints and, in my case, undammed tears flowing from my eyes in a river of relief. With only hand motions and a smile, I explained to my concerned masseuse that she hadn’t hurt me; instead, she’d helped purge some pain from my broken heart.
She gently braided my hair, maybe to help my outside feel as good as my insides did. It worked.
So, I kept getting them during my trip, until the ducts ran dry. Once, another masseuse shared her own similar pain in broken English, ending with a heartfelt “I love you, Natasha!” and a hug.
A foundation for healing was being poured.
Visually striking, lush, beach-laden islands surround the southern part of the country, often jutting from the water like Poseidon’s trident trying to pierce the sky.
Swimming has always proved therapeutic for me. Serenity seeps in while floating in a wet, salty expanse. Fresh or chlorinated water can be helpful too.
Thailand has an abundance of both and even throws in some regional geothermic pools for good measure.
Oh yeah, and far bigger, with teeth and stingers.
All of which can be more intimidating and humbling than any hurtful humans. And few things can be as meditative as floating…the piña coladas and sunsets didn’t suck either.
My foundation formed further.
Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles”. For good reason.
Being surrounded by smiling mouths and eyes does wonders for the soul. It’s considered rude not to smile back, and the majority of residents are so genuinely gracious, you want to reciprocate.
Being in a country in which grinning is almost imposed upon you out of common courtesy (imagine that in Manhattan or Paris…ha!), your spirits start to follow suit.
When not gobsmacked, I’m kind of a weirdo in that I’m a naturally smiley, happy human. Here I was reminded that, in my purest form, I emanate love and kindness, and naturally attract hugs and smiles and even proclamations of adoration (not the pervy kind, though on occasion…) without really trying.
Foundation solidifying.
No matter your religious affinity, or lack thereof, ancient Buddha statues and Buddhist temples permeate Thailand, as does the pacificism they represent. It’s palpable and soothing.
These architecturally riveting monuments often have monks clad in vibrant orange wraps tending to them or meditating. Humorously, sometimes staring at their iPhones or taking pics of each other…
Tangible memes dot the monastic landscape, sharing positive and thought-provoking quips prompting alternate ways of thinking and living. Some are funny, others incredibly deep.
All can prove inspiring.
These facets are all reminiscent of the fundamental peace that forms this country, though it’s suffered greatly over the millennia also, and the new foundation I forged within myself.
While self-exploring, I took myself on dates to dinners and ladyboy drag shows. With friends, I tackled narrow, steep mountain trails that made parts of me pucker with fear.
I found fortitude I never knew was within me on this journey, and the love and appreciation for myself I sought.
My foundation was complete.
Whether in the Land of Smiles or not, when hurting, each of us can find our own Thailand. To heal you don’t have to head halfway around the world.
How Travel Helps Heal Heartbreak
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