The Art of 'Finding Ourselves'

As someone who's made the leap from close to a decade at sea to dry land, I can tell you it's a journey that goes far beyond simply changing your address and joining a sports team.

This blog post is for those of you standing at the crossroads, It's about the challenges you might face, not just in finding a new career or rebuilding friendships, but in rediscovering who you are when you're no longer defined by your role on board.

The yacht life has a way of reshaping us, often in ways we don't fully realize until we step away from it. From the unique bonds we form with our crew to the global perspective we gain, our identities become deeply intertwined with this nomadic, close-knit lifestyle.

But what happens when that lifestyle ends? How do we separate our true selves from the habits and personas we've adopted at sea? And how do we leverage the invaluable skills and experiences we've gained to build a fulfilling life on shore?

In the following sections, we'll explore the powerful influence of our shipboard environment, the shifts in identity that occur during our time at sea, and the challenge of authenticity as we transition back to land life. More importantly, we'll discuss how to view this transition not as a loss, but as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

The Proximity Effect

There's this fascinating thing called the proximity effect. Basically, being close to people has a powerful impact on our behaviour. We start picking up habits, phrases, and even accents from those around us, often without realising it. Suddenly, you're calling crisps "chips," everything is "hectic," and you're asking everyone "How you going?" instead of "How are you?" Your Australian deckie's accent is rubbing off on you, and you've adopted the chef's habit of whistling while you work.

This cultural melting pot becomes your new normal. And let me tell you, nothing makes you feel more connected than the sense of belonging that comes with it.

The Identity Shift

Before yachting, my identity was pretty straightforward. I was me - a Brit with my own set of habits, phrases, and worldviews. Sure, I belonged to a few groups, but my sense of self was, well, my own.

Yacht life changed all that. Suddenly, my identity was linked to this new community. I was a yachtie, part of a global tribe with its own culture, language, and norms. It was exhilarating and comforting all at once. But now that I'm back on land, I'm faced with a tricky question: How much of who I've been as a yachtie is actually me? What habits have I picked up along the way? What parts of my personality have been shaped by this unique lifestyle? It's a bit like trying to separate flour from a cake after it's been baked. Which bits are the authentic me, and which are the result of years of absorbing the yacht culture?

The Challenge of Authenticity

This identity crisis adds another layer to the loneliness of transitioning back to land life. Not only am I missing my yacht family and struggling to connect with land-dwellers, but I'm also grappling with figuring out who I really am. What parts of my yachtie self do I want to keep? What old aspects of myself do I want to reclaim? It's a process of rediscovery and reinvention, all while trying to navigate building a new life on shore. But you know what? I'm starting to see this challenge as an opportunity. It's a chance to cherry-pick the best parts of my yacht life experience and integrate them into who I want to be moving forward. Maybe I'll keep the adaptability and resilience I learned at sea, but let go of the habit of calling everyone "dude." Perhaps I'll hold onto the global perspective I've gained while relearning the quirks of my home culture.

The transition from yacht life to land isn't just about changing locations—it's about rediscovering who you are. The intense connections and experiences at sea have shaped us profoundly, often blurring the lines between our authentic selves and the identities we've adopted. This period of readjustment can feel lonely, but it's also an opportunity. We now have the chance to carefully choose which aspects of our yachting selves to keep and which to let go. The adaptability, resilience, and global perspective we've gained are valuable assets as we forge our new paths.

This process of self-discovery may be uncomfortable, but it's also exciting. Now, we have the opportunity to craft an identity that honors our past while embracing our future. The journey of self-discovery continues, so what are you going to do to connect to your most authentic self?

Interested in finding out more? Book a call in today to discuss finding your new land based identity.

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