Providing you haven’t been living under a rock this past year you will have seen what seems like endless news stories about death, terrorism and other horrible events across the world. I’m not going to sit here and lie to you and say it hasn’t crossed my mind about the world being unsafe, and when you think about it, yeah it’s pretty scary.
But should this stop you living your life? Definitely not! For one, it’s not like this is a brand new thing and the world was perfect before the media started shoving their opinions down our throat.
The big news stories that are covered are very rare occurrences in the grand scheme of things, and if you’re worried about dying, well you better look a little closer to home first! You have all probably heard the saying ‘You’re much more likely to die getting to the airport than you are flying on the plane’ and this is so true but unfortunately a car accident isn’t as interesting to report about, because they happen every day!! It isn’t considered an interesting read. A plane crash on the other hand…
So you may feel you hear about terrorist attacks and plane crashes all the time, but what about the other ways so many people die? If you’re going to let the big things stop you living your life then be sure it will be the thing you’re least expecting that kills you!
Last year I moved to the Middle East and I couldn’t be happier! Obviously friends and family worry, and anytime anything near to where you live is reported on the news, they instantly convince themselves that you were in some way involved! But let me tell you, I have never felt safer, nor has my life felt any more normal – Apart from the fact that my weekends are now spent by the pool and beach of course 😉
People’s perceptions of the Middle East are so skewed because of the media. Of course there are some unsafe places to be right now (and I’m in no way telling you to go to those places) but don’t assume the whole world is out of bounds because of a few stupid people who want to ruin things for everyone. Terrorism or not, your mum will always continue to tell you to ‘stay safe’ and ‘look after each other’… So take her advice and go make some memories. The world is full of lovely people and awesome new experiences!
Surely if you think about it, it is all just a case of wrong place, wrong time, as horrible as that may seem but there is no way of knowing what is around the corner, wherever you are in the world.
You may die whilst you’re in another country, whether you’re living there or just on holiday, but you may also die in your own front living room! I know where I’d rather be…
Look past the headlines, stay safe and go on that adventure!
Laura x
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laura lou travels 
Many people are scared to travel but there are also some who need a reason rather to stay at home. I think it’s important for every person to see other countries and cultures to be able to understand. To overcome anxiety is most important.
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I agree! Even just going abroad on holiday can be difficult for some. People have opinions of other countries and i really think you have to see it for yourself first before making judgement.
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I have to constantly reassure my parents that all is well and I’m safe while I’m abroad. They don’t understand why I’m travelling with everything happening in the world right now. But bad things happen everywhere, even back home, and when I bring this up they just ignore it.
I think it’s important to look past the headlines as you say and keep going! Even if you have people back home who would like you to come back and stay. Thanks for sharing your post!
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Now i live in Dubai i hear about bad things happening in England all the time but it’s still my home. I think If it’s what you enjoy then nothing should stop you! 🙂
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This is a great post and so reassuring! I travel a lot, but have not ventured overseas as it is so spendy. I am teacher and have thought of teaching in Dubai but not sure how to even get there! This looks like where you are, awesome place!
Valerie
Fashion and travel
http://www.mapleleoaprd.com
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Thank you! You should definitely go abroad if you can. Also Dubai is a great place to start if you’re a Teacher. Most schools provide accommodation etc so its quite an easy transition. I used to work in Marketing for a Teacher recruitment company out here 😉
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Just came across this post via Facebook, and funnily enough I’ve written about the same thing in my latest blog entry 😉 Could not agree more – if you’re going to be scared of something as unpredictable as terrorism then you will end up not going anywhere. Don’t let a fear that there’s a small chance something will go wrong stop you from travelling, be vigilant without being paranoid, and just go! 🙂
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Totally agree! It’s scary but you can’t let it stop you living your life. Ill take a look at your post 🙂
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I think that the most important thing is just to buy that ticket. When you spend a lot of money on a flight ticket, you cannot say that you’re afraid to go.
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Definitely, and then it will probably end up being the best thing you ever did 🙂
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This was an interesting read; every day it seems that the world is becoming a more and more dangerous place- but I think a lot of it is that we’re just more aware of the dangers of the World due to us always having mini computers in our pocket and updates about World events every second of the day at the touch of a button!
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Yeah it really doesn’t help that we can now have news alerts on our phones, and social media is really bad for it too!
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I completely agree with you! There are hundred ways to die and I just can’t understand why people are so afraid of the things we can’t control. Btw it’s a great post! Keep it up!
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Thank you 🙂
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So true! We live in Germany and our families in the US worry about us because of recent terrorist attacks here. The irony is that we’ve met Europeans who are afraid to visit the US because of how the media portrays gun violence there. When folks travel, they find out for themselves what the world is really like!
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Couldn’t agree more! So many of my friends and family have such a different view of how my life is here in Dubai but honestly it couldn’t feel any more ‘normal’ … whatever that is!
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Excellent topic, I definitely agree. My mother and I talk about this all the time before one of my big trips! thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for reading 🙂
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oh wow. nice writing. i believe that there is no such thing as beeing too afraid. beeing cautios maybe 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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I love this, we think alike! My mom is too worried to travel anywhere, but we live only an hour from New York City, a target for terrorism attacks. When I traveled through Brussels, Athens, and other airports that have been attacked, she begged me to come home. But you’re right, you can’t live your life scared to do anything or you will miss out on everything life is supposed to be. It’s a shame that a few bad eggs ruin everything for everyone – why can’t everyone just get along? I love that you moved to the Middle East despite everything going on right now and I can’t wait to read more of your experiences!
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Thank you! 🙂 You can totally spend your life thinking ‘that could have been me’ or just appreciate that it wasn’t you and live the life you want. I love the Middle East and you should definitely visit if you ever get chance to come over!
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Great article, there are so many things to be afraid and I spent a lot of my earlier life being afraid, but the more I do things the more I discover they are not as scary as I thought. My mother still tells me I should not be on planes so often but then I tell here how someone got killed crossing the street a few blocks from my apt and I’m not going to stop crossing streets!
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Haha exactly, we need to get to where we’re going somehow!
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Love this! The number one thing people ask me about my travels is if I felt safe? Was I scared? And I always say I felt safer traveling than I do at home. Of course there is always a possibility for something to happen, but we can’t live our life in fear. There is so much out there to experience!
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Interesting topic! 🙂 I think the media skews things up so much and makes the worst of every little “bad” piece of news that comes from other countries – it definitely shouldn’t stop anyone from traveling!
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I love your message and totally agree! I was kinda scared to go off on my own to Europe when everything was going on in France, but I knew that I couldn’t stop living my life. And I went and it was AWESOME. prop to you for going to the MIddle East!
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I really think things seem much more scary when you’re not there. When you’re actually there you find it’s pretty amazing! 🙂 So glad you went to France despite the horrible things that were going on! France is lovely!
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Totally agree with you! =D
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Hi Laura! Happy to have found your blog! I love the layout, the style the content…everything! I’ve read some of your posts and I can’t wait to read more! Plus, I’m an expat who loves travelling too so I’m definitely looking forward to following you 🙂
P.S.
Great post, I can totally relate… I also wrote about the topic, as travellers we have to be aware of risks but I totally think the same as you!
Lisa | http://www.fromdreamtoplan.net/
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Thank you so much, it means a lot that you like my blog 🙂 I will definitely be checking out your blog too!
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My pleasure! Thank you, so nice of you 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this post! As a military brat, I’ve spent my first 12 years of life traveling and living abroad in places including Egypt, Israel, Germany, Scotland and the Philippines. I actually have enough traveling for now (I seriously hate packing) but I think it would do a persona great to get out there and see the wonders of the world even in the most unexpected of places. One day, I do hope to find myself in Dubai!
Best ❤
Katrina
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Wow what an amazing experience to have! I also hate packing and I travel half as much as you did! You should definitely come to Dubai, it’s lovely! Let me know if you ever make it here 🙂
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This reminds me so much of my mum’s (and some other people back home) opinions about Korea! They always worry about me living next door to North Korea, even though I live right down the bottom on the peninsula in Busan.
The likelihood of North Korea attacking South Korea is slim. Possible of course, but it’s also possible I’ll get hit by a bus back home in New Zealand! I would also like to visit the Middle East and South Africa and am often told it’s too dangerous – but I’m still gonna go :p
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I think certain parts of the world are dangerous but then other places are just guilty by association which isn’t right! I’d love to visit Korea and you should definitely come to the Middle East, its a great place! 🙂
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Honestly this topic is hard for me to overcome every now and then, for example, even a safe city like Nice was targetted. But it really is a lot to do with probability and being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Well I hope I will always be lucky!
Ps: I will be visiting Dubai at end of the year! Looking forward to experience the city for myself!
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Things can happen in even the nicest of places i have found which is sad. Hopefully you will love Dubai as much as i do! 🙂 If you have any questions let me know! x
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I totally agree with you! Don’t stop living your life because of terrorists because that’s exactly what they want!
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I whole heartedly agree! Truthfully I feel that 24/7 new channels make the issues worse. Jumping to conclusions before the facts, airing the same thing over and over again on slow news nights – all to be the first watched and hold people closer to their tvs. The world has always been unpredictable, chaotic and ever changing. All the more reason to travel it over and over again!
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scaremongering to get views and shares on social media. I don’t think social media helps either but we have to look past it all otherwise life would be boring 🙂
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Yes! You are totally right about this! The media definitely skews the perceptions of the middle east, but there are so many beautiful places to see and pools to swim in 😉 I’ve been wanting to go since I started watching your YouTube!
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Thanks Gina 🙂 It’s so lovely here and so are the people… .and the pools are awesome!
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I should share this one with my parents! I was in Phuket the night before the bombings. My Dad must have checked up on me every 4-5 hours the remaining 5 days I was traveling! Bad things can happen anywhere, but we can’t let that hinder our international education.
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Completely agree with this. When we moved to South Korea from Ireland we got a lot of “Korea…isn’t that dangerous??” And “aren’t you afraid of war?”. Which is a bit crazy considering what’s been happening in Europe this year! I think everywhere has danger and I’m not gonna sit at home just because it’s it’s more recognisable danger1
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Definitely, Europe hasn’t been the best place this summer! I’d love to visit Korea some day soon! 🙂
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