We’re fine on our own, thank you very much.

That’s been the perspective my wife Lisa and I normally take during our nomadic travels, especially on cruises. Cruise ships afford you the opportunity to be as isolated or as social as you choose. Both being introverts, Lisa and I tend to shy away from new relationships.

We’re challenging ourselves to change that. Part of the wonder of travel is not only the places you go but the people you meet. People from all over the world and from different walks of life. People we can learn from. People who make the travel experience, and our lives, a little richer. 

We’re currently cruising southeastern Alaska, soaking in some of the most stunning scenery we’ve ever seen. At lunch the other day, Lisa struck up a conversation with the couple at the next table (she’s doing better at initiating than I am). They were friendly and engaging, and we bantered comfortably.

Noticing their accent and feeling emboldened, I asked, “What part of Australia are you from?” The smiles froze on their faces. They said, “We’re from New Zealand.” I didn’t fully understand it, but I knew I’d made a social blunder. Later I overheard a man at another table ask them if they were from New Zealand. They enthusiastically said yes, adding how much they hate it when people assume they’re from Australia.

Sometimes you swing and you miss. 

But we persevered. At dinner the next night, Lisa again started a conversation with a new couple at the next table. They were lovely, and we found we had much in common. At the end of the dinner, we exchanged phone numbers and arranged to have dinner together the following night.

At the next dinner, I was struck by how many of the life experiences Lisa and I have had proved helpful to our new friends. One of them is a writer looking to break into the industry. As published authors, Lisa and I could share some insights. Their kids are younger than ours, and we talked about navigating the tricky transition to parenting adult children. They were interested in downsizing and traveling more, and we told them our journey to becoming nomads.

Me and Lisa in Haines Alaska

By choosing to get out of our comfort zone and engage with new people, Lisa and I had a much more enjoyable experience. It also put us in a position to pass on some hard-won knowledge and make the road a little easier for someone else.

Are you, like us, normally reserved socially? Put yourself out there. Strike up a conversation. Engage with people. Be ready to learn. Share the life lessons you’ve gained. If you do, you’ll have a richer life while helping others, and you’ll take another step toward Becoming Yourself.

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