My Story
At one point in my life, I had no desire to travel outside of my own country. Shocking, I know, considering my blog is called the Worldly Girl Guide!
But when I was in my early 20s, I didn’t want to travel to Europe with my best friend when she invited me after graduating from college.
Why not?
Fear, mostly. I had experienced my share of racism in the U.S. in my teen years. I was also a directionless Gen-X-er who didn’t want to leave my (boring) comfort zone of work, friends, and the bars.
My friend twisted my arm, and begrudgingly I made plans to go with her.
And it changed my life.
From that moment, I made it a point to travel and visit more international destinations to see the world.
Not only that, but it pointed me toward a meaningful career that allowed me to travel.
My first international trip to Europe made me realize that traveling to new destinations and going out of your comfort zone helps identify the life you want to live.
I realized that creating a life of meaning also means being aware of the world around you. Although we can practice gratitude, we should also recognize that the world isn’t fair most of the time. We live in a world (country) with deep-rooted racism, disparities in opportunity, poverty and hunger, disease and death, etc. Although I don’t believe that individuals can change the world, we can all do our part to create momentum to catalyze change.
Worldly Girl Guide is intended to help better yourself through travel and lived experience, raise your children to become global citizens, and in turn make the world a better place for future generations.
What does “worldly” mean?
I am not sitting here on a high horse to talk about how sophisticated and worldly I am. I’m living in the United States in a small city in the Southwest and haven’t lived abroad in several years.
However, I’m on this journey with like-minded individuals to continue learning, exploring, and seeing the world from multiple perspectives. Worldly Girl Guide is about learning from your own experiences, seeking new opportunities to discover new things, living everyday in wonderment, and fulfilling dreams of the life you want to live.
To me, a worldly girl is:
- A person with lived experience that leads to unique insights and wisdom
- Someone who is always willing to learn and explore the world with an open mind and open heart.
- Not necessarily rich. Being worldly is not about designer clothing and luxury travel. It’s a mindset that allows you to value more important things than material goods.
- Kind and generous. A person who cares about the world and humanity. Someone who makes an effort not to be too self-absorbed and greedy.
Tips for Success in Being a Worldly Girl
First and foremost, you need a good attitude and an open mind. Have a generous spirit and giving nature to make this world a better place (and yes, this can be learned!). Here are some other tips for becoming a worldly girl:
- Find ways that you can help in your community or for a cause that you care about.
- Travel as much as you can. See new places to open up your world.
- Learn! Whether it’s books, blogs, documentaries, podcasts or films, there are so many fascinating things to know about the world! You can experience new places, foods, cultures, etc. even when staying at home.
- Build a community (here, I hope!) and make friends from different backgrounds.
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Common Questions/FAQ About Worldly Girl Guide
How can I be worldly if I’ve never traveled outside my own country? Or if I stay at home most of the time?
Being worldly is a mindset. Even if you’ve never traveled outside of the country, or even your own state, you can still show curiosity for the world around you.
Learn about faraway lands from your couch! It’s as close as Youtube and Netflix.
Extend your kindness to neighbors and community members, especially if they are from a different background as you. It’s amazing how rich and rewarding it can be to develop friendships with people from various backgrounds.
How can I be worldly without a lot of money?
Again, being worldly is a mindset and not about traveling the world in luxury. Explore what’s available in your hometown in terms of cultural events and places, food, history, and organizations/clubs. Read books and watch documentaries. The more you discover and experience, the more worldly you will be.
My kids are getting so spoiled. How can I help them see that there’s more to life beyond their own world?
It’s so easy for kids to be spoiled these days, especially if they are being raised in the United States. Parents, educators, and friends need to get the kids out and about to see that there is a world rich in diversity but also with its problems.
The Last Thing You Need to Know about Worldly Girl Guide
International travel is my preferred way to learn more about the world and myself. There is nothing more exciting and enriching as jumping on an airplane to another location and immersing yourself in a completely different culture from yours.
When we can’t do that, there are still opportunities to learn about the world. Commit to a mindset of openness to discover and experience new things that will expand your horizons.
Please comment on your tips for being a Worldly Girl! And subscribe to join the Worldly Girl Guide community!