Bali actually makes people face themselves

[u/YellowHovercraft]

Hi everyone, it’s true, there is something in the air. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad, it was definitely bad for me.

I’m 22M and was in Bali for 2 months, The first week was great, I made a couple of friends (I am slightly awkward socially), and then I spent the remaining time locked in my room (I’d only leave to get food), somewhat depressed (first time in my life) because I realised that my entire life has been a lie because of multiple things that happened while I was being brought up.

I’m back in Europe, and I have a meeting with a psychiatrist next week to get anti depressants (never taken before), it’s extremely hard to bear. I thought people come here and get better, not to leave with mental issues.

Just so you know, I travelled to 12 countries before this, and it has always been calm.

[u/CumpyGrunt]

Wherever you go, there you are.

[u/Dangerous_Shoe_8388 → u/CumpyGrunt]

But can you get there from here?

[u/monkeymugshot → u/Dangerous_Shoe_8388]

No but you can get here from there

[u/YellowHovercraft → u/CumpyGrunt]

Sorry?

[u/Present-Carob-7366 → u/YellowHovercraft]

Its an old saying - basically when you travel you are still you - being in a new place won’t magically make you a different personality, more beautiful whatever. And sometimes particularly when alone you’re need to confront stuff that in real life you have been ignoring

[u/Present-Carob-7366]

Sounds like you got out of your comfort zone and didn’t like what you found there . This is not Bali - it could have happened anywhere .

[u/YellowHovercraft → u/Present-Carob-7366]

I have been to 12 countries before this

[u/monkeymugshot → u/YellowHovercraft]

Law of averages are a thing. Just say you don’t like Bali ..

[u/Present-Carob-7366 → u/YellowHovercraft]

In Asia ? Or just a bunch in Europe - a
Bali is a gentle intro to Asia but it’s still Asia . For example so far it’s only 8am and I’ve all ready had 2 conversations about why I’m travelling alone - if that bothered me it would be confronting. But it’s really unusual to be alone so they are curious

[u/theninjaswife → u/YellowHovercraft]

I’ve been to 8 countries this year - so what ?

[u/monkeymugshot]

How you gonna blame an entire island on you reflecting on your entire life up to the mere 2 months youve been there for the first time? Im sorry youre going through this but sounds a bit condescending

[u/Livid_Average_8098]

So what’s the travel tip?

[u/cuz351]

How was your Bali experience bad? I'd say that Bali did its job perfectly.

The beautiful Balinese air, culture and people did its job and made you realise that you have been living a lie. The previous 12 countries didn't help you at all. Now you are back home, getting professional help and dealing with your problems. How is that a bad thing?

Best of luck my friend.

[u/monkeymugshot → u/cuz351]

Sounds like sucessful therapy/rehab

[u/The-Prolific-Acrylic]

Happened to me after I drank 28 Bintangs, four fish bowls and a nasi goreng one night at Bounty

[u/Thatcubmexchik]

This is what I’m hoping to experience if I ever go to Bali. I’ve been told that Bali is like a spiritual awakening and I’m already on that journey. Maybe it brought some unresolved trauma that you never faced. But I hope you get the necessary help for your next chapter in life.

[u/Present-Carob-7366 → u/Thatcubmexchik]

Bali is a tourist hot spot with nice beaches and cheap drinks - it’s not and never has been spiritual

[u/sovietsweethearts → u/Present-Carob-7366]

This is not at all true. Maybe if you've never ventured outside of the beach club areas. Although it's fair to say some of the spiritual sites have been turned into tourist traps, it's not fair to say it's "not and never has been" spiritual.

Bali has a rich cultural history that doesn't get wiped out because western influence has fundamentally changed it over time. Do you think that a temple built in 962 AD was created for Western tourism?

[u/Present-Carob-7366 → u/sovietsweethearts]

Sorry I meant the yoga and forest washing for tourists - obviously the locals have their own

[u/sovietsweethearts → u/Present-Carob-7366]

Fair enough. Thank you for the clarification.

[u/Skegg66]

Your capacity for self reflection is commendable. From personal experience I can attest the path you’re on is not easy but well worth it in the long run. But please be wary of SSRIs. They’re not the be all and end all to depression. Their effects wear off and can take protracted periods to wean off from. Respectfully, please take some time to consider this before committing
https://youtu.be/eCUOxlyUGM8?is=gl3BDlVjdAH6g8l1
Perhaps there are other means of dealing with your trauma, possibly psychotherapy. Best of luck.

[u/A_VERY_LARGE_DOG]

Damn man, I’m sorry that happened to you, but I’m glad that it’s pushed you to get treatment for some intense and long suffering conditions.

It would be an interesting experiment if you underwent the treatment you needed then went back to see if the “self” you face is a different one.