My chest started to tighten and I could feel the tears starting to well up. “Do not cry in public,” I told myself. I held my breath as my face began to burn. People with suitcases walked around me as I stood still, afraid that if I moved the waterworks would begin.
Over the last year, I’ve been trying to step out of my comfort zone. Traveling to Sevierville Tennessee by myself? Mission accomplished. Today I will be guest posting over at Peanut Blossom sharing 10 Tips for Traveling Solo.
I sat in my rental car arguing with the GPS. After about 5 minutes we were no longer on speaking terms. I was about to pull out of the airport parking ramp when I had that sinking left the garage door open feeling.
Did I have my iPad? I rummaged through my purse searching the side pocket, nothing. In a panic I sent a text to my best friend and travel mentor
I started to jet back to the concourse when Defying Gravity , aka Tiffany’s dedicated ring, belted from my pocket. “Are you sure?” she asked before I had a chance to say hello.
I heard the pitch of my voice rising as I spoke, continued my walk back to the airport. Then it all hit me in an instant: no sleep, Starbucks with no breakfast, my first solo flight, a 3-hour layover in Chicago, the rental car nerves, that disagreeable GPS, the iPad…
I was going to cry, in public, like a child. I could feel it coming up quickly. “Zina, breath…” I heard her say, but it sounded muffled and distant. I forced a deep breath. There was no bathroom, no place to escape quickly from an audience. I took another long, slow meditative breath and turned my back to the moving crowd. I faced the wall, “Do not cry.”
When is the last time you cried in public? Are you challenging yourself enough?
I was able to pull myself together and head back up into the airport. I checked in with American Airlines and they had my iPad right at the check-in desk. Thankfully they do a clean sweep of the aircraft after each flight.
Something I thought would ruin my entire vacation was literally resolved within 15 minutes. My nerves might have been a bit on edge because I had basically drank Starbucks coffee for breakfast and lunch. Lesson learned! Pop on over to Peanut Blossom to read a few other things I realized on my trip.
Over the next week I will also be talking about some wonderful experiences I had while traveling. I look forward to sharing with you!
Happy travels,
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