“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust
Good morning from Boston!
I am currently on a book tour for BUOYANT and have been reminded once more of the sweet reset travel offers to every fiber of my being.
Travel has a way of getting under our skin in the best way possible and offers one of the most powerful conduits to our creativity, the portal to reconnecting with our true selves. Travel provides unending inspiration, adventure, and the ability to see everything with new eyes.
5 Ways Travel Is Transformational
1. A Shift to Excitement
From the moment we begin reading travel sites and reviewing flight schedules, our energetic state shifts. We begin reaping the benefits of having decided to travel long before we depart! Research shows that the anticipation of the journey can be as influential on our state of mind as the excitement experienced during the journey in and of itself.
2. No To-Do’s = Instant Recharge
White space in our calendar and in our days fills us with oxygen. Flipping ahead in our planner to the week(s) we block off for our adventure places a cool, refreshing cloth on our fevered forehead. Time away! Time and space to think, reflect, rest, relax, and recharge. The creative brain needs idleness. Quiet. Rest. Reflection. Don’t starve it.
3. A New Place Gives You Fresh Eyes
Traveling takes you right out of your routine and forces you to think about almost everything (especially if you are traveling to a foreign country). New neural pathways are forged in our brains, and as a result, we find ourselves to be more awake and aware. The eyes of a traveler are clear and well-focused. Even the most seemingly mundane moments can reveal an exquisite, unexpected beauty.
4. Skipping the Itinerary Creates a Skip in Your Step
The French term “flâneur” means someone who is strolling, sauntering, wandering the streets, not with the intent of getting somewhere, but as an observer. Doesn’t that sound a lot more fun than staring at a map desperately trying to find the “have to see” tourist spot that the travel book urges us (and a million others) to see? Why not get lost on purpose and just let the streets take you on an adventure of delicious discovery?
5. Immersing Ourselves in a New Culture Fills Us with Inspiration
Whether you are traveling around the corner or around the world, immerse yourself in the culture of your destination. Take a class, learn some of the language, talk to the locals, and hang out with no agenda. Take in everything around you: the sights, smells, ways of living, habits, rituals, and moments of connection that the place offers. Each detail holds a universe of potential inspiration for you.
Unable to or not interested in travel right now? Here are a couple of tips for experiencing these benefits in your home or neighborhood:
Immerse yourself right at home. Yes, immerse yourself in a place near where you live that you used to love going to, but life got busy or for some reason, you stopped going. Maybe it’s a corner table in a cafe, a bench in a park, or the soft chairs amongst all the books at your local library or bookstore. Take your journal and write down your experience of your soul powering on. Linger longer.
Become “Harriet the Spy.” Seek out all the reasons you can celebrate what is happening in your life. Become a detective for gratitude. Detail in your journal all the people, experiences, and things you are grateful for.
Recharging is within our grasp.
Our minds look for evidence that our beliefs are true. If we believe the world is beautiful, our minds will seek out evidence of that thought, everywhere. We can go around the world or simply around the corner to enjoy a rejuvenating change in perspective, energetic state, and enjoyment of everyday pleasure.
