Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2021 | Page 83

To Table of Contents and have strong career ambitions and yet , there is [ still so much ] stigma about millennials , their work ethic and their capabilities .
It ’ s really important for me to show a character ’ s issues with self-worth , because I don ’ t want to just present this person who ’ s got it all figured out and [ who has the ] dream life that everybody wants . I wanted to create something honest that everybody could relate to .
Mélange : [ One of your ] quotes that I found very interesting was “ travel writing is a chance to discuss sociological lessons that you learn in your travels ”. I was curious [ about ] what you meant by “ sociological lessons ”.
Shannon : I think the main things I ’ ve really learned sound probably a bit cliché , but [ they are ] the ideas that strangers are kind and there is more that unites us than divides us . My favourite example of this is when I was in Iceland . I was staying in a hostel and I was sharing a dorm with this Chinese family . They didn ’ t speak much English , and I don ’ t speak Mandarin or Cantonese . There was very much a language barrier , but we were sort of communicating through smiles and hand gestures .
Then there are times when I ’ ve been helped by strangers , [ like the time ] I lost my backpack . I was meant to be working as a WWOOFer ( when you basically do some work outside in return for food and accommodation ) with [ a ] family in BC [ British Columbia ] for a few days , but I came to them with no backpack . They took me in [ and gave ] me some clothes and food . [ It ’ s ] just a reminder that in a world where there ’ s so much division and conflict , you can find people who show compassion and will help you even if they don ’ t know you .
Mélange : Having been through the journey [ to ] writing the book , what ’ s the message you want to send [ through it ]?
Shannon : I think the ultimate message is conveyed through the title of the book : always remember your own worth , even if others are making you doubt it . Be yourself and always follow your own trail ; don ’ t worry about what other people are doing .
I think [ it ’ s ] also the importance of putting yourself out of your comfort zone and persevering through any struggles , because it ’ s through [ this ] that I think you make progress towards a happier , confident , more fulfilled life . You have to take those risks of potentially feeling a bit awkward or uncomfortable for a little bit to actually become [ a ] better , stronger person and [ to ] build your character .
Mélange : What ’ s next for Shannon ?
Shannon : I ’ m actually really excited to be going home for the first time in two years in September . That ’ s going to be a time to just really unplug and catch up with people , because working full-time during the pandemic while also writing a book was quite a lot . In the end , I realized I was quite tired .
In terms of if I ’ ll write another book , people have asked , ‘ Will you do a sequel ?’ I think it would be a bit too close to [ the ] present time to do that now , but I think I would like to write more books . I think in the future , I ’ ll maybe write something that ’ s even more travel-oriented . But for now , I ’ m just going to enjoy going home .
Listen to the full interview for more of Shannon ’ s experiences , reflections , and advice .