How to deal with unsupportive family/friends
Pursuing your dreams or your dream job is a thrilling adventure filled with challenges and triumphs. As a traveller, my life revolves around exploring new destinations, meeting new people, and sharing my adventures with the world. However, this journey hasn’t been without its fair share of challenges, one of the biggest being the unsupportive voices of family and friends. Unsupportive family and friends can be a significant hurdle to overcome. In this article, we’ll explore why they may be unsupportive, how to convince them of your path’s greatness, and how to maintain your mental resilience throughout the journey.
Understanding their concerns
Its important to remember that your family and friends aren’t out to get you and their reasons for being unsupportive is based off of what they themselves have experienced in their own lives. They want you to be happy, healthy, wealthy, and to stay out of danger. To address the unsupportiveness of your loved ones, it’s crucial to understand where their concerns originate. Lets look at some of the many reasons they could be apprehensive to giving you their full support and afterwards, what you can do to change their mind.
- Fear of Failure: They worry that you might not succeed and face disappointment or financial instability.
- Lack of Familiarity: Your chosen path may be unfamiliar to them, causing discomfort and skepticism.
- Prioritizing Stability: They believe that traditional jobs provide more security and stability. While it is true that a traditional job provides consistent income, you can find many creative ways to make up for the inconsistent income as a traveler. Travelling has also allowed me to acquire the skills of marketing, content creation, photography, affiliate marketing, sponsorship/collaborations. The digital age has created many new ways of monetizing content. Rather than hindering my financial prospects, it has expanded them. Additionally, traveling has taught me to be resourceful and financially responsible. I’ve learned to budget effectively, find cost-effective accommodations, and make the most of my experiences without overspending. These skills can be applied to everyday life, making me more financially savvy than I was before embarking on this journey.
- Wasting Your Time
Some family and friends may question whether you’re wasting your time traveling instead of pursuing a traditional career path. They may believe that you should be settling down, building a family, or focusing on long-term goals. Traveling exposes you to diverse cultures, languages, and perspectives, fostering personal development and cultural understanding. It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone, face challenges head-on, and build resilience, making you a more well-rounded individual.
Additionally, traveling allows you to develop a global network and gain insights that can be applied to various careers. The skills acquired while on the road, such as adaptability, problem-solving, and communication, are highly transferable and sought after by employers. Instead of wasting time, I believe that I’m investing in myself and my future by embracing these opportunities for growth.
- Worrying for Your Well-being: Another common worry among family and friends is the perceived danger of traveling. They may be concerned about your well-being, especially when visiting unfamiliar or potentially risky destinations. It’s essential to acknowledge their concerns while also sharing your perspective on safety. First and foremost, safety is a top priority for any traveler. I always research my destinations thoroughly, including local customs, potential risks, and safety tips. Additionally, I stay connected with loved ones through regular check-ins and share my travel itinerary with them. Modern technology allows for real-time communication and GPS tracking, providing an extra layer of security. Moreover, traveling has broadened my horizons and taught me to be adaptable and aware. These skills not only enhance my safety on the road but also help me navigate challenging situations in everyday life. Encourage your family to understand that traveling isn’t about recklessness; it’s about embracing the world while taking precautions to stay safe.
Acknowledging these concerns is the first step in creating an environment to where you’re understood and your family’s/friend’s concerns are put to rest.
- Communicate Your Passion and Plan
To convince unsupportive family and friends of the greatness of your dream, open and honest communication is essential. Share your passion, vision, and the detailed plan you have in place to achieve your goals. Highlight your commitment, dedication, and the steps you’re taking to mitigate risks. That last step is very important to let others know that you’ve done your research, set achievable milestones, and are prepared to adapt to challenges. Offer reassurance that your dreams are grounded in reality, not just wishful thinking. Let them see your drive and determination, which can be infectious and persuasive.
- Showcase Success Stories
Sometimes, it can be helpful to share success stories related to your dream or industry. Highlight individuals who have achieved remarkable success pursuing similar paths. These examples can serve as proof that your dream job or ambition is attainable and that you’re not alone in your aspirations.
Showcasing real-life examples of people who have overcome adversity to reach their dreams can inspire and reassure your loved ones that your journey has merit. Some people that I would talk about would be (insert people like nomadicmatt, nathaniel drew, other travel bloggers/content creators)
- Prove Your Dedication Through Actions
Actions often speak louder than words. Demonstrate your commitment to your dreams by consistently working toward your goals. As you achieve small victories along the way, share them with your loved ones to reinforce your dedication.
Prove that your dreams are not just fantasies but tangible objectives that you’re steadily accomplishing. Over time, your consistent effort and progress may help alleviate their concerns and turn them into allies.
- Maintain Your Mental Resilience
Dealing with unsupportive family and friends can take a toll on your mental well-being. It’s essential to develop strategies to stay resilient:
- Surround Yourself with Positivity: Seek out friends and mentors who support your dreams and provide encouragement. Most of the time, when you’re pursuing your dreams, your life will start to reveal those who are on a similar path to you. Be honest with yourself and you’ll have no problem finding those to grant you the positive vibes you need.
- Stay Focused: Remind yourself daily of your passion and the reasons you started this journey in the first place. This is your goal, the reason you’re moving forward. Keep it in your head and heart.
- Self-Care: Prioritize self-care practices like exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to manage stress. I sometimes find myself in a pit I didn’t even realize I was digging when life gets chaotic or seemingly unfair. During these moments I often forget to take care of myself. To remedy this I’ve set up reminders in places I look often (notes app, journal, computer apps I open frequently) that ask me questions about my mental/physical health, and what I can do to get out of a mental funk.
- Set Boundaries: If necessary, establish boundaries with unsupportive individuals to protect your emotional well-being. This can be so difficult especially when you live with said individuals but remember, you are able to set boundaries that give you breathing room. If those boundaries are broken you can always remove yourself from a situation if things get too intense.
These are all great ways to keep your head up and make sure you continue onward to your goals while also considering those who are unsupportive to you. The final option if you’ve tried all of these but they havent seemed to work is to seek some proffesional help.
- Seeking Professional Help: If the negativity becomes overwhelming, consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor. There are many great services out there you can find online and I’ve found it to be such a relief to get things off my chest when it seems like I have no one to talk to about things. Better Help is the service I have used but there are many other alternatives as well.
I want you to know that you are capable of achieving incredible things, regardless of what others may say. It's easy to get caught up in the opinions and doubts of those around us, but remember, their beliefs don't define your potential. You have a unique set of skills, dreams, and passions that are worth pursuing. Believe in yourself and your abilities because when you do, you unlock a world of possibilities. Don't be discouraged by the naysayers; instead, let their doubts fuel your determination. Keep pushing forward, chasing your dreams, and proving to yourself that you are capable of greatness. Embrace the challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Remember, it's your unwavering belief in yourself that will lead you to success. So go out there, pursue your passions, and let your inner light shine brightly for all to see. You've got this!
