Living Like You Travel

 

You must be thinking how? But really, what if we did live in the way we travel?  During my time away I realized that I began to let go of many things just because I was traveling. And as I thought about it more, the things that I loosened my grip on while traveling could easily be loosened and applied to my daily life.

I noticed and slowed down. Galway is one of my favorite places that I’ve visited. After I wrapped up an amazing day walking along the shoreline, eating great food and hearing wonderful music, I began to see things differently. I realized I was engulfed by everything around me. I felt…I mean actually felt the amazing feeling of the rain on me during my walk. I appreciated the warmth of the sun on my skin when it came out. I noticed the way the light came in through my window each morning. Everything that I came across was beautiful and important.

I don’t remember the last time I spent hours at a café people watching, without being there for another reason. Too often we skip these moments while we’re at home because there’s always something more important that can be accomplished instead of wasting precious hours at cafes. Travel and vacations help us realize that we aren’t ground breakingly essential to our workplace as we may think we are. They’re getting by and doing just fine without us. Noticing things more deeply resulted in me slowing down, which allowed me to reflect. I began to notice what needs more attention in my life. 

Living with Less. You may have read my blog post about my packing episode. Filling a bag with just 23 kgs, for 6 weeks seemed like I was being punished for bad behavior. Nonetheless as I moved from place to place I became an expert at packing my bag (including the things I accumulated along the way) and planning my outfits with what I had. In previous trips I had the luxury of packing matching jewelry for each outfit, this time I took none. I even lost my travel adapter at one point, which resulted in me not being able to charge my tablet or straighten my hair for two weeks….I’m still alive.

It felt great being responsible for less stuff and I was never worried about things being taken from my room. How would it feel to live at home with the same amount of stuff we pack when we travel?

Talking to those Unknown. There are some people who can to talk anyone. It’s a quality that I admire in many. The ability to strike up a conversation with someone I knew nothing about – it’s just not a quality I thought I had. I soon discovered that talking to strangers was bubbling inside me, waiting to come out. I remember feeling nervous as I handed someone my email address, or invited someone to hang out for the day. But reaching out to strangers led to great conversations over dinner, someone to share a unique experience with and friendships that I hope to maintain, with some pretty inspirational people.

Why was this kind of risk easier at a train station in Europe than at a local store or coffee shop at home?

Reserving Judgment. When we travel many of us don’t expect that every detail we plan will happen flawlessly. Delays occur, wrong directions are taken, and if you’re anything like me sometimes you’ll get on the wrong train. When I left, I didn’t expect that everyone would speak English. I didn’t expect to know and understand certain cultural norms. I wasn’t at home after all.

In Prague I was having lunch with a group I had just met on a walking tour and it just so happened that all of us were taking the same excursion following it. We decided to have lunch together in the hour we had. We asked the server if we had enough time and reiterated we needed to be in and out in thirty minutes. Totally achievable we thought! Our meals arrived one at a time, as they were ready. The last person’s meal arriving 30 minutes after the first person finished – but nobody complained. We figured out arrangements with the tour we had to take in order to meet them later. Clearly this restaurant was not equipped to handle the lunchtime rush, but they did their best and we accepted the speed at which our meals could be served.

This made me realize that we can’t assume that everyone thinks like us or wants the same outcome. What if they were short staffed that day or maybe this restaurant typically doesn’t get a lunch hour rush. My travels remind me not to judge a situation without thinking about that Chef swamped in the kitchen that day.

With these lessons learnt, what I’d really hope is to live each day more like I do when I travel. Loosening those reigns – to notice things, to slow down, to speak to strangers and to judge less often.

What are some life lessons you’ve learnt on your travels?

Happy Travels!

Tune In: Your Discovery Channel

Travelling solo gives you the unique opportunity to tune into your own ‘Discovery Channel’.  It doesn’t need to be turned on because it’s always inside you. Buzzing within and waiting for the time and opportunity for when you’ll begin to see it more clearly.  Only in solitude and through the unique experiences that you face alone will you begin to discover who you really are, before any social constructs told you who you should be. Solo travel has a profound way of tuning you into your own channel.

During my time away I’ve been able to tune into mine and here are just a few of my own – I hope they inspire you to tune into your channel.

1. I really enjoy my own company! Many of us avoid spending time alone.  We often fill the silence with distractions such as turning on the TV and always having it on like it’s some kind of constant companion.  We lose touch with being immersed in our own thoughts and what they sound like, and being comfortable with who we really are.  We become so good at hiding our true feelings that hiding our soul from ourselves is normal.  For some, being alone is easy and something they enjoy and for others it can be extremely difficult to learn.  Although I’m sociable, I consider myself an introvert and for me, quiet time is energizing.  Extroverts in today’s world are deemed to be the personality you should be – not wanting to socialize every night is regarded as antisocial or weird.  Solo travel and spending time alone with yourself is important for all of us because it really opens up space for your real thoughts to start shining through.  It lets us become who we really are.
2. A new independence – Solo travel shaves you of everything but your Self.  You don’t require or have anything other than yourself for happiness.  You begin to realize that you can’t rely on other people or a single person for your happiness – only you can truly make yourself happy.  You make all of your decisions – what to eat, when to sleep, which train to catch and what stop to get off at.  Have I napped in the middle of the day? Absolutely.  Did I decide to read by the water for the rest of an afternoon instead of hitting up a “must do” museum? Yes! And there was nobody stopping me.
3. Coming to terms with likes and dislikes – As you wander about solo you really come to terms with your likes and dislikes – in a way that you’ve never really seen in yourself before.  These likes and dislikes aren’t the ones we think we know about ourselves – they are the ones where you have no expectations of yourself.  You have nobody to listen to.  You don’t have to meet anybody’s needs.  No appointments, no schedules or meetings to adhere to – it’s just you.  And as your mind begins to sift through things, you begin to remember who you are. You begin to remember what elements in life you love the most, and those you enjoy the least.  I discovered and remembered that I really like history so much so that I spent an entire afternoon at the Titanic museum in Belfast reading absolutely each and every wall.
4. Greater tolerance for differences – Travelling exposes you to so many different cultures and mentalities – not only of the locals of the land but of those you encounter along the way.  When you’re alone, this is enhanced because you’re not enclosed with your social self and those that you’re travelling with.  You’re able to talk more freely with locals, have deeper conversations and even appreciate different perspectives and ways of life.  You begin to understand it and tolerate it, even if you don’t agree with it.
5. Patience and priority – Travelling overall tests and gives you a better sense of your patience.  You learn to have patience with the things beyond your control (ie. finding out that the 2nd largest Synagogue in Europe decided to close the days you were in town!!!) and learn not to waste it on things that don’t deserve it.  I’ve also come to realize that that we worry about so many things that don’t really matter.  When you travel alone, things start to matter only when they have a direct impact on YOU.  If it doesn’t matter – I don’t care!

What are some of your most profound discoveries during travel?

Happy Travels!

 

 

My Personal Pharmacy: Essential Oils & Travelling

As I began the packing and preparation for my six-week trip I started to think about all the potential ailments I could (and would) encounter while away.  As in any country, medication can be costly and I wanted to be prepared with brands that I knew worked for me and that I trusted, instead of local ones which I may not be familiar with. Did I really want to spend my travel time finding a pharmacy, while trying to play a horrible game of charades with the pharmacist, hoping that my tummy ache isn’t confused with constipation?  I knew I would be travelling in various climates, landscapes and could potentially encounter a cough, cold, stomach bug, headaches or maybe even motion sickness – was I really going to pack meds to cover all of these maybes especially given that real estate in my backpack was a hot commodity?

Shortly before I left, my close friend and fellow blogger Reena Baidwan, whose blog Healing Blends, you should explore if you want more information on the world of essential oils, introduced me to these little miracles in a bottle. Not only are they natural, but in my opinion so much more effective than your every day drugstore pill.  There are oils for absolutely everything and blending them opens the door to endless possibilities.  With not too much time to research and experiment before I left I decided to bring four oils with me – catering to my most common ailments.  And to be honest since I had never used essential oils before, I also packed a few drugstore brand pills just to be safe, but let me tell you…I haven’t cracked a seal on any of them due to my little healing potions and mobile personal pharmacy!  In today’s post I talk about the four magic bottles and how I’ve used them daily during my travels!

Pure Essential Oils

1. Peppermint – oh how I love thee! This oil is truly one that I can say I have used every single day (sometimes multiple times a day) during my trip.  As a sufferer of migraines and sinus headaches this oil has truly saved me! I haven’t even popped open my trusty bottle of Tylenol (with caffeine) that I was using for the worst of my headaches.  With just one drop rubbed on the roof of my mouth my sinuses are instantly opened.  It’s amazing how quickly just a little rub on the temples can wash away any sign of a headache, if I feel one creeping up on me. During this trip, I have also used peppermint as a substitute for mints to freshen my breath and even a little on my gums when I felt a toothache coming! It’s a staple in my purse/daybag.
2. Wild Orange – citrus as we all know is not only refreshing but a great immunity booster! I include just one drop into my water bottle for the day and not only does it make my water taste better (keeping me hydrated) but it’s a great energy and mood enhancer as well.  Luckily I haven’t had a cold as yet, but I’m sure this little bottle of immunity has something to do with that!  When I feel fatigue hit but still have a full day of exploring ahead of me, the fragrance from just one drop of wild orange in my palms instantly wakes me up and recharges me for the day!

Pre-Blended Essential Oils

1. Past Tense (from DoTerra) – Is a tension blend of wintergreen, lavender, peppermint, frankincense, cilantro, marjoram, roman chamomile, basil and rosemary.  It’s also great for headaches and migraines but I’ve particularly been using it in the morning before I head out for the day to ease tension in the head and neck (also another reason why I think I’ve been saved from headaches this trip!) and to reduce stress and anxiety.  I also use it after a shower and before I hit the sack for a restful nights sleep! I also keep this bad boy in my purse/daybag.
2. Deep Blue (from DoTerra) – Is a natural pain reliever for sore and achy muscles and joints – it’s a must for every traveller! You know that feeling after a full day of walking on your feet? Well I’ve been using Deep Blue on the soles of my feet every night before bed and I’m golden for the next day!  Containing a blend of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, blue tansy, blue chamomile, osmanthus and hellchrysum it’s truly been a lifesaver for all the walking I’ve been doing!

I hope  you take the time to explore the world of essential oils to naturally aid in any of your travel ailments.  If you have any questions about the world of these natural healing potions I’ll be sure to connect with Reena to get you the information you need!

 

What are some of your most common travel ailments? How do you cope?

Happy Travels!