Let me present a scenario. It is your first time traveling to Europe for two weeks with your college. You never had much interest in traveling before, but with clever marketing and an enticing trip itinerary around Europe, you and your roommate decide to go. So you pack your large pink suitcase because there is no way you can travel two weeks abroad in a carry-on (but your roommate does, and you have no clue how she did it). The two of you hop on a plane to Philadelphia to catch your connection to London. Since you landed late, you have to sprint across the airport to make your connection. You make it, sigh in relief, and settle into your seat for your 7-hour flight to London. While you try to sleep, you just can’t. Something isn’t sitting right with you. That was a fast connection; there’s a good chance the luggage didn’t make it in time. But maybe the airport crew did a good job getting it? You try to shake the fear and focus on something else.
Then the plane descends from the clouds, and out the window, you see England, confirmed by the cars driving on the wrong side of the road. You and your roommate get off the plane, take a long walk to customs, and make it to baggage claim. The screen says your flight’s bags were delivered, so you check the conveyor belt for your pink bag. A few minutes go by, and you don’t see it anywhere. You even asked a few workers who said all the bags from Philadelphia were gone in the back. Then that fear sinks in again, except it’s real this time. It’s actually happening. You’ve landed in a country you’ve never been to before, and your luggage isn’t there.
So what do you do? What do you do when you are overwhelmed with fear and can’t even think straight? You know you have to “adult” now, but you just can’t.
Sometimes, it’s not just lost luggage that makes us feel this way. Classes, relationships, and life in general, where it feels like the worst-case scenario is happening, can cause these feelings of fear and anxiety. This lost luggage story is true, and these are the unexpected lessons I learned after losing my luggage in London.
Life Lesson 1: Feel Your Feelings
Losing luggage is not fun. It’s normal to feel uneasy and stressed. The same goes for any stressful situation or something that is causing anxiety. It’s okay to cry a little, or a lot if needed. The most important part of this is not to shove down these feelings so they do not bottle up and come out later.
Life Lesson 2: You are not alone
Cliche, I know, but it’s true! My roommate was there to talk to customer service and help me think straight. When facing stressful situations, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. There are friends who want to help you, or parents or other loved ones. Ask for help doing some breathing exercises. Ask for a hug to calm you down. Ask for advice or help when finding solutions. When your brain feels foggy and overwhelmed, it’s good to ask for help to clear your mind so you can think straight again.
Life Lesson 3: You are capable
Talking to customer service agents and working with the travel manager to get the luggage to the correct location seems simple. Still, I was surprised I was able to do it. That means that you are more capable than you think you are. We all face obstacles in our lives that get in the way of our potential. Truth is, you have the strength to conquer any obstacle that comes your way. Have confidence in yourself! You have what it takes!
There is a happy ending to this story. The luggage was found and delivered to the Amsterdam Airport, where it was reunited with its owner. The trip finally felt like it could begin. Your story will continue as well. One way or another, it will work out in the end.
So, in the end, take a breath and know you can confidently tackle these obstacles.
And for a bonus life lesson… pack a carry-on if you can.