By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
One of the reasons that I went on break
for a couple of weeks was that I was on vacation in Kenya. :)
It was a wonderful vacation. We have family that live and work in Africa
and had encouraged us to experience Kenya.
It was great to have guides who were so familiar with the area (and who
spoke several languages). We saw the
bustling Nairobi, the lovely Rift Valley, went on safari, and experienced the
Kenyan coast. It was an amazing trip. (And I’m clearly trying to still catch up, since this post is a day late!)
and had encouraged us to experience Kenya.
It was great to have guides who were so familiar with the area (and who
spoke several languages). We saw the
bustling Nairobi, the lovely Rift Valley, went on safari, and experienced the
Kenyan coast. It was an amazing trip. (And I’m clearly trying to still catch up, since this post is a day late!)
And y’all know that I rarely even leave
my house unless I’m running errands or shuttling children around—so this trip
was a big deal to me.
my house unless I’m running errands or shuttling children around—so this trip
was a big deal to me.
As I’ve mentioned here before, I’m a
planner. I’m very cautious and need an
abundance of information on something before I experience it—that’s even true
of small events I attend near my home or camps for my children. I packed weeks before we left…and repacked.
And shifted things from bag to bag. Yes,
I’m fairly neurotic.
planner. I’m very cautious and need an
abundance of information on something before I experience it—that’s even true
of small events I attend near my home or camps for my children. I packed weeks before we left…and repacked.
And shifted things from bag to bag. Yes,
I’m fairly neurotic.
When I talked with friends and family
about leaving, I’d bring up all the aspects of the trip that made me
anxious—the vaccinations we needed, organizing the flights, staying healthy,
our accommodations, etc.
about leaving, I’d bring up all the aspects of the trip that made me
anxious—the vaccinations we needed, organizing the flights, staying healthy,
our accommodations, etc.
People who knew me best had a particular
reaction to the news. “Oh, Elizabeth,”
said more than one person, “that will be so good for you.”
reaction to the news. “Oh, Elizabeth,”
said more than one person, “that will be so good for you.”
They were right and I knew it when they
said it. We can be too fond of the
familiar, too eager to keep away from crowds, too happy to stay at home. As writers, it’s also good to grow a
little. To stray from our comfort
zone. To fire up our imaginations with
different experiences, different sights, different tastes, different people.
said it. We can be too fond of the
familiar, too eager to keep away from crowds, too happy to stay at home. As writers, it’s also good to grow a
little. To stray from our comfort
zone. To fire up our imaginations with
different experiences, different sights, different tastes, different people.
I don’t think we have to go to Africa to
do it, either. We can push ourselves
into new and different situations nearer to home, too.
do it, either. We can push ourselves
into new and different situations nearer to home, too.
Have you broken out of your routine or
your comfort zone lately? What was it
like? How did it go?
your comfort zone lately? What was it
like? How did it go?
Elizabeth – Oh, lucky you!! Wow!! A trip to Kenya?! I’m sure that it was amazing and I hope you’ll tell us all sorts of stories and share ‘photos of your trip.
I agree with you that sometimes it’s good for a person to break routine. It helps keep our creative juices flowing if I can put it that way, and keeps us interested in life. I’ve actually had a bit of a routine-breaking time of it myself lately. I was in Australia about a month ago, and I’m just finishing teaching a three-week class in English to a group of students from Beijing. Both experiences got me out of my routine in good ways.
So true. I think we need to try things to keep growing. Sometimes we get in our safe/wonderful/cozy ruts and don’t want to try new things. But we should.
I’m so thrilled for you that you got to visit Kenya–and a bit jealous. Don’t worry it’ll pass. :)
T
Well, if that’s neurotic, so am I. Hubs and I are going to South Africa in September and I’ve got my lists and have started “gathering.” The vaccinations made me very nervous and I’m nervous about poisonous snakes, but I’m going to go anyway and have a fabulous time. Hope we get to see photos and hear more about your Kenya adventure.
Your trip sounds fantastic! Taking a safari,is definitely on ,y bucket list,
As,far as pushing ourselves go, your point is absolutely true. It’s really easy to get used to being in our,comfort zones, but as writers,we need to be able envision a gamut of,situations vividly enough to make our readers live though them. For myself, I know I need to keep going back to the well of human experience for,renewal.
It sounds like you packed in a ton of experience! So fantastic!!!!! :)
Wow, all the way to Africa! Now that is getting out of your comfort zone. But I bet it was the experience of a lifetime. I understand about the planning and packing. I’m the same way.
Margot–I got lots of story ideas, too…that I’d never have gotten if I hadn’t traveled.
I loved your Australia updates. :) And at the time I was envious how well-adjusted you were to new experiences! I think I tend to freeze up when I see new things…at first…and then I relax more as time goes on.
Martina –I know you enjoy traveling! You’re good to keep experiencing new things. And…yes, safaris are fantastic. You get very close to the animals and the animals pretty much ignore the humans and go about their usual, daily activities… right in front of us.
Teresa–It can be a struggle to break out of the rut! And tiring, too. But ultimately worth it. :)
Alex–I’m so glad I’m not the only one! I packed so many times…it was nutty. And then we all had to wear the same outfits every day (like Charlie Brown) until we left! Ha! I did lots of laundry those last couple of weeks. :)
Karen–There’s a lot to think about, isn’t there? I think I drove doctors nutty by calling and rechecking what we all needed for immunizations. I bookmarked the CDC website. :) And I used to be fairly adventurous! (20 years ago, yes, but still…) This makes me very relieved that other people pack (and repack and unpack and repack)weeks before they leave!
Kenya, sounds great. I’ve never been to Africa (except a day in Tunis), but hope to find an opportunity to go there. The packing is what I hate about travel, always doing it last minute. Re.packing is a word unknown. I never bring more than I can get into my cabin-size suitcase.
Cold As Heaven
CA–The packing was a challenge, for sure. Nairobi is a mile high and chilly. The beach was warm (not hot, but warm). But it was technically winter everywhere (below the equator) so the temps ranged fairly widely. So…lots of clothes! I packed a good deal and could have used even more for our 2 week trip.
Sounds like a fabulous opportunity. Can we now expect a new mystery? It can’t be called Murder in Mesopotamia, but how about Killer in Kenya?
As an old woman with chronic illness and mobility issues, I usually stick close to my computer, too. However, my word for the year last year was “push.” I decided to push myself beyond my comfort level to do things I am afraid to do. I’ve spent the past two years going to classes, workshops, conferences, and reunions. I am also pushing myself to improve my writing and force myself to submit.
Sometimes, pushing past your comfort zone doesn’t have to take you far from your front door. But, oh, how enlightening it can be.
I love this post! As I tell my kids, it’s SO important to do things out of our comfort zone and to have new experiences. It expands our minds, our imaginations, and our lives whether you’re in Africa or in Applebee’s. :)
Karen–Ha! Yes, a killer in Kenya, for sure!
Actually, I got lots of material for stuff while I was there…not sure how to use it. Might try short stories (which would be a real stretch for me), or incorporate some of those ideas in another project.
That’s amazing that you took such a big leap in the last year! I love that you did that. I would really have to push myself to do those things…really push. I have many, many excuses not to go places!
Even venturing out to see plays or the symphony or watching people at the park or the coffee shop has been good for me. I should do it more often.
Dina–And it might be easier for kids than for parents! They really loved it….very good for them, too.
How awesome! I’d love to do a safari one of these days – have to talk hubby into it though!!
Hello,
I just so happen to know that IF I didn’t have this adopted little doggie, my life would be quite different. I tend to not want to leave the house too much b/c of him. He didn’t have the best first years, so I’m trying to give him some stability. Having said that, I’ve always been a homebody. And the older I get, the worse it gets.
I’ve not done anything lately that would qualify for stepping outside of my comfort zone. Gosh, I can’t even imagine what it would be if I did!
I’m a pretty serious creature of habit. I get anxious being on vacation somewhere new. Not because I’m afraid anything will happen, but because it’s not a familiar place. It’s annoying because I love to travel! I would love to see Kenya, it sounds amazing.
Jemi –It’s really an amazing thing. We finally decided just to go for it.
Paul–You and I have a lot in common. :) Making lists helped with the anxiety, I think….and starting the list super-early (like in March, for my July trip.)
donnaeverhart.com–Do you think age factors into it? I wondered the same. I swear I was more adventurous in my 20s.
Lists don’t work for me. I just have to wait it out and try and keep busy.
Oh, dear. I replied to the email post–so I’ve probably sent you an email. That’s embarrassing.
I love the photo of the giraffe, and wonder if they’re as wise and peaceful as they appear to be.
Vaccinations? That would take some courage. :)
So glad you decided to just go for it! We sure did love having you guys there. :)
Hi Elizabeth – you went to Africa without me!! What a brilliant holiday and time out – bet you garnered lots of thoughts while out there .. or may be the sights and sounds just preoccupied you ..
Africa is amazing – but being with family-friends must have made things relatively easy, yet you’d have seen the best sights ..
I’m always off doing things – I guess being on my own that’s the only way .. I’d love to go to South Africa now .. ??!! I’ll get back one day ..
Brilliant memories and joggers for you .. cheers Hilary