Take to Travel—Making the Most of Time Away

Travel can be trying for many people. The stress of driving and flying, the arrangements to make for pets, the packing—it can all lead to a feeling of dread about traveling. But, like most things, a little planning and an open mind can cure a lot of ills. Flexibility in travel can help make for a relaxed, rejuvenating time and allow for some spontaneity of experience with unforeseen opportunities that arise. However, having some goals and a good idea of what you might do can help set the tone for the trip you want. Ultimately, a balance between flexibility and planning will lower the stress and make for meaningful and rewarding travel.

It’s all about the experience

Traveling can be relaxing, refreshing, and meaningful, and it’s all about how you create your experience. Experiences can be relaxing, such as lying on the beach, and if relaxation is your primary goal, then you may not want to plan for much more than that. However, if you’re open to other experiences, a variety of experiences can make your trip more meaningful. When planning activities, you will likely include activities in which you are part of an audience. This category might include sporting events, concerts, or museums. Another category of experiences is those where you’re a participant. Examples of these include recreation, exploration, or volunteering. These can help you really get to know your destination and its people.

Build in opportunities for engagement

If being a participant is part of your plan, then activities in which you engage with people can help you to get a feel for a place and the culture of its people. It can be hard to plan for engagement as you may only find out about opportunities once you start interacting with people at your destination. Still, it’s important to leave time available for engagement and find out all you can before you leave. There is no single right way to engage as every destination is different, but some good practices to adopt would include the following: 

• Be curious. Many people are happy to talk about their country and culture; through those conversations, you may find ways to engage that you hadn’t thought about. 
• Be open-minded. Don’t make assumptions based on your culture. Be like a sponge to take in new perspectives, ways of thinking, and worldviews. There is no better way to grow as a person.
• Be respectful. Educate yourself regarding norms and protocols and abide by them. A healthy respect for people and their culture is the best thing you can do to develop bonds of trust.

But the money…

Travel can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There is a wealth of helpful resources to learn how to travel according to your budget (e.g., here). Because this topic has been extensively covered, I won’t provide specific tips here. But I will say that once you arrive at an amount of money you can spend on your travels, and you’ve figured out how to do it, don’t dwell on the money you’re spending—at all. There are many more meaningful ways to engage your mind while traveling; fixating on or worrying about your spending shouldn’t be anywhere near the top of the list. Given your budget, plan for the best experience you can have, and then let it happen. The money you spend will be worth it

Make the present moment your home

Getting used to unfamiliar food, lodgings, and culture can be daunting and may make you homesick. One way to address this is to think about your mind frame in the present moment as your home rather than any place you happen to live or be. Take the time to be in with yourself and in yourself. Spend some significant time alone and get to know yourself well. Everyone has places where they’re comfortable, but by developing a comfort level with discomfort, you can thrive in most places and circumstances. It’s also helpful to minimize worry about the future or fretting over the past. Learning to be mindful and exist in the present moment can make every moment your home. Being present can make every moment a fulfilling and meaningful place to be—anywhere you happen to be.

Travel, in any form, is one of the best ways to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Getting to a point where you can take to travel and make the most of it will help you achieve that growth.