Unplanned reality escape

I traveled for a project last year during my service to the nation, and it helped me escape reality for 5 days.

(I’ll talk about the project after my short story).

The story

I knew I needed a break at the time but I just didn’t know how that was going to happen. I also didn’t know a change of environment for 5 days was going to help in any way.

Anyway, I got to the place with my team, and though we were working tirelessly for 7+ hours daily (including transportation), I felt relaxed and happy.

This unplanned reality escape felt good, and since then it made me want to travel out and go elsewhere just to avoid burdening myself with all the cares of the world. I mean, if I’m taking time off to relax, I have an idea of what I can do.

Out of experience (not just this) and what I've seen others say, I can say that our environment plays a huge role in how we think and what we think about. So a change of environment can help you rethink and refocus.

Our environment plays a huge role in how we think and what we think about. So a change of environment can help you rethink and refocus.

For instance, if you want to clear your head, then you probably need a new space, where all the things you’re trying not to think about are out of sight. It can be in another spot in your house, neighbourhood, or somewhere far away. Mine was somewhere far away.

For my unplanned escape, I was partially off all social media platforms (I only replied to my WhatsApp texts and iMessages) and I liked it. I wasn’t thinking about life or what was going to happen next. I also wasn’t thinking about what people were saying on social media because I wasn’t seeing anything. I was all about being in the moment and enjoying it.

During those 5 days, I was fed 3 times a day without playing a part - apart from coming out and saying what I wanted - and it felt extremely good. This is the kind of life I want to live, dearest reader. The project location was different from where we lodged (a serene and calm environment).

Apart from this project helping me escape reality, here’s something important I got from it:

I always thought I wouldn’t like talking to people, and that I’m all about writing and hiding behind my screens to work. But things changed there. I felt proud and fulfilled and excited doing those things I did during the project. It was just nice. It felt really good!

I realized that I could be in any space I wanted to be - provided it was going to make me feel fulfilled. That project was an impactful one. The people - my people - were happy. And that made me happy.

I think there's so much potential in everyone. But you wouldn't know all that you can do and be unless you find yourself in situations that push you to do something outside your current scope.

There's so much potential in everyone. But you wouldn't know all that you can do and be unless you find yourself in situations that push you to do something outside your current scope of work/activities.

Soooo… that’s it!

My reality escape ended and I got back to face life - happier, relaxed, and content.

About the project

The project was a "Product Enhancement Training and Facilitation of Product Registration" for selected entrepreneurs in the Eastern Region (Manya and Yilo Krobo). It was to help them remain competitive and relevant in local and international markets.

The project is actually not completed yet - I'm not sure if I'd be called again (I hope I am). But I participated in 2 phases. The first aspect was field research to collect data and submit field notes about the people, what they do, and the challenges they were facing in their businesses. The second part was the training. My role was quite administrative - but I did a bit of translation until I couldn't. It's not easy. That's why I always say, "I don't speak elective Krobo".

How I joined the project would have to be a story for another day because it's tied to a topic I've already written about. I shall return with it someday or never.

This reality escape was unplanned but it was a great experience. I'll plan the escape next time.

Tell me...

Has a change of environment ever helped you to relax, clear your head, or refocus? [Kindly reply in the comments section]

PS: This post was originally written on 4th September 2022 at 10:34 PM. "About the project" and the poll are the only new sections I introduced. I wasn't sure of what to write for June '23 and did not want to go a month without publishing so I went through my Notes, found this, edited it, and voilà!