#27: Stranded in China, Gui Ren, and How to Be More Vulnerable & Trusting - Erin O’Neil
You can find the full episode description and show notes at https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp27/ "Trusting someone else is more of a reflection of whether or not you trust yourself to overcome any adversity." - Erin O'Neil, Author of Gui Ren. On this episode of the Edge of Comfort Podcast I talk with Erin O’Neil, world-traveler and first-time author of the book, Gui Ren. Erin and I discuss her unexpected experiences from living in China, lessons from the Chinese phrase Gui Ren, and how a new side of life opens up when you are vulnerable and trusting. Many recent university graduates feel immense self and external pressure to immediately go into the workforce and begin climbing the ladder of corporate America. Heck, getting a professional job and setting yourself up for new opportunities in life is the reason most people go to a university. In other countries, people are encouraged to delay their entrance into the workforce to travel for an extended period of time, often referred to as a gap year. People take these periods of exploration to experience more of the world, break from the bubble of their life and culture, expose themselves to new ideas and possibilities, and catalyze internal change and growth. This doesn’t always happen and if it does, it happens in various degrees for each individual. But, most people feel some sort of change, growth, or self confidence from an extended journey. My guest today, Erin O’Neil (@_itsonmylist), decided to adopt a variation of the gap year mentality when she moved to China right after graduation for what was supposed to be a 6-month work experience in Shanghai. I say supposed to be, because things didn’t quite go as planned. Erin O’Neil is an enthusiastic digital storyteller and conversationalist with a serious case of wanderlust. By the time she turned 23, she had visited 22 countries on 4 different continents. But, perhaps the most life-changing adventure for Erin was living alone in China for 6 months. Despite the culture shock, severe language barrier, and struggle to figure out how chopsticks work, Asia taught her how to trust herself and create a world in which authenticity, mindfulness, and vulnerability were the only survival tools she needed. Upon returning, Erin devotes her time to sharing stories from abroad and life lessons in travel. She is currently finishing writing her first book entitled, Gui Ren. Gui Ren is a written Chinese phrase that encompasses the right people coming into your life with synchronicity to help guide and inspire you. Her book Gui Ren, which her editor described as an Eat, Pray, Love for millennials, is a narrative devoted to illustrating moments of phenomenal connection and celebrating the lessons learned through travel. It’s an immersion into the comedic reality of navigating a world without verbal communication, finding stability and routine in an unfamiliar world, and abandoning comfort zones to catalyze personal growth and adventure. Erin writes about many of her adventures and lessons of Gui Ren, including topics like trust, vulnerability, friendship, and connection, on her blog Out Collecting Stamps. Erin also speaks about her experiences at local libraries near Columbus Ohio and gives helpful tips for traveling and navigating life abroad. You can also watch these talks on her website, OnMyList.org. You can find the full episode description and show notes at https://edgeofcomfort.com/eocp27/
