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Sailing and being at sea has so much to teach, if we had our way, we would love everyone to experience sailing at least once in their life – and we’re trying! It is more than just the practical skills – of which there are many, there are also numerous valuable life skills which we are going to focus on today.
1. You Will Learn to Sit in Silence and Enjoy It
In our busy lives, there are very few moments when we get to sit in comfortable silence and just be. And no, the daily commute to work by train, bus or car doesn’t count because most people begrudge this – not to mention the traffic or hustle is hardly relaxing. We are talking about sitting and staring out at the gorgeous Adriatic and coastline as it flows past you; in complete silence and contemplation. While in our daily lives and interactions, silence can be awkward, it simply isn’t on a boat. It is its own meditation, and hopefully, when you re-enter the ‘real world’ after your sailing holiday, your mind can drift back and it might help you find peace in the chaos – or simply book another sailing holiday as soon as possible!
2. It’s All About Teamwork
If you are on a bareboat charter, you will soon discover that it is all about teamwork because a yacht is not a one-handed affair. The more everyone chips in, the smoother the process and better the experience. Everyone has a common goal – to arrive safely and hopefully, to have a great holiday; so, working together, helping each other and cooperating is in everyone’s best interest. There is nothing more rewarding than having a great day of sailing, cooking a delicious meal or going out to a local Konoba, and toasting to a successful day as the sun sets over the Adriatic. In a world based on competition, coming back to teamwork and cooperation is a great lesson.
3. Awareness of our Impact
Plastic pollution and climate change are hot topics around the world at the moment, and rightly so. Modern-day lives and consumerism have taken us away from our connection to nature and our individual impact. Living in large cities or apartment blocks, we don’t need to think about where our food comes from, or where our rubbish goes; this convenience and disconnection is one of the major contributing factors to some of the issues we face today. The beauty of being at sea is that we reconnect with nature, and are more conscientious of our habits and the waste we produce. Sailors pay attention to how much water they use, how much waste is created and they try to minimise these effects wherever possible. These are lessons that don’t disappear, they stay with you – and the world can do with more of this.
4. Reconnect to Nature and Destress
In our busy day-to-day lives, especially urban living, it is easy to feel removed from nature. A sailing holiday reminds us of the beauty and magic of nature. It’s not just about watching every sunset either – though, please do – our connection to nature has been proven in numerous studies to improve our health and happiness. Being in nature reduces stress, anxiety, fear and increases overall feelings of well-being and vitality. We are more likely to move and be active, and we are also more likely to pay attention to nature and think about how our actions affect it (as mentioned above). And the best part? These effects last long after we are away from nature! So, booking a sailing holiday will quite literally make you a better person (health, happiness and more conscientious)!
5. Simple Pleasures
At sea, it is often the small things which mean the most, like your first cup of coffee or morning stroll before the rest of the world wakes up. It’s visiting local markets, buying fresh, in-season products or meeting a fisherman who sells you his fresh catch. It’s watching every sunset, nature’s reminder that another day has passed and there is always beauty to be found. It’s sitting in the saloon on cooler evenings, playing cards or games with family and friends. It isn’t about spending tonnes of cash on entertainment and restaurants. Most people find it’s these small pleasures and joys that stay with them long after the tan has faded; and, perhaps we can learn to find them in our daily lives.
6. A Sense of Community
A natural comradery arises on the boat between all of the passengers and crew (if you charter with crew), but there is also an overall sense of comradery and community that arises at sea. Everyone waves to each other as their boats pass by – a friendly gesture that is missing from our modern lives where we tend to keep our heads down. If you are ever in need, you can guarantee that all available hands will be there to lend assistance; even for the smaller things – like borrowing salt or olive oil from your neighbours. Connection and community are so important and the sea reminds us of this.
7. Planning Ahead and Going with the Flow
At sea, there is a fine balance between planning ahead – checking forecasts, booking marinas and ports, organising provisioning, versus going with the flow – adapting your itinerary and plans when the situation calls for it. Too much of something is never a good thing; planning everything to the last minute is never going to make for a great holiday, nor is leaving everything to chance but there is a beautiful balance which exists between the two. Be prepared for every situation, yet let the winds, mood and inspiration take you in unexpected directions – just like life.
8. It’s about the Journey, not the Destination
When most people travel, they are focused on arriving at the destination because let’s face it, there is nothing enjoyable about queuing in airports or traffic. However, sailing is another thing entirely; we would almost say that sailing is more about the journey than the destination. Don’t get us wrong, of course, there are so many gorgeous destinations, history and culture to explore but sometimes, some of the best moments are just kicking back with a crisp beer or glass of vino in hand, sails and blue skies above and the deep blue below – the destination is the bonus. A valuable life lesson, because really, it’s all about the little things, right? Sometimes life is what happens when we are waiting to arrive. So, be sure not to miss the journey at sea and take this lesson with you in your ‘normal’ life.
And there you have it, 8 ways the sea can make you a better person, now what are you waiting for? Let us help you book and create the perfect sailing holiday!
Live. Love. Sail.
