Locked in a Box

I guess at this point at the end of my journey I should come out with some great insights that I have discovered over the past 10 weeks. If any exist then I would just point you back to the previous blog pages but I will give you my one.

It is that fears and uncertainties are generally a waste of time and energy. On countless occasions during the trip I worried about where I would sleep tonight? What would the next country be like? Are those people friendly? Can I take Bike on the bus? Could I cope with a mechanical breakdown? etc. etc.

In every case my fears proved groundless. What is more, I could not do anything until the problem actually confronted me so why worry in the meantime? Sure, in some cases by thinking through your possible actions you can increase the likelihood that you will be well placed to solve the problem. Like choosing to cycle along country roads rather than the main highway to then find a quiet place to wild camp.

But any other worrying was a complete waste of time. Early inthe trip I used to look for candidate places to stop at 2pm just to get in practice! And thereby increase my anxiety. Further more,  it all stops you doing what you really want or need to do at the time. Best live for now and only address future concerns as they arise.

I realise that it is difficult if others say stop worrying. So take a tip from Sally. When you have such a worry, put it in a little mental box of its own, somehwere off toward the top left corner of your imagination, with all the other future concerns, then lock the door and pocket the key. So you can focus on with what you can affect now. Only then will will you get where you want to go, and back home again.