How To Stay Connected To Travel While Staying At Home
For those of us with a nomadic soul staying home can be a hard pill to swallow. If you, like me, feel deeply defined by travel then I want to support you with a few ways you can stay connected to the spirit of travel without leaving your home.
First, I want you to ask yourself what you gain from traveling. What does it give you? What feelings does it evoke? While you’re spending more time at home, it’s important to find moments within your day that evoke those same feelings that you receive from traveling. The answers to these questions will be different for each of us but remember: there are so many ways to receive one emotion, you just need to get creative.
FINISH A TRAVEL PROJECT
Now is the perfect time to finish up one of those travel projects you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe you’ve been meaning to display your travel coin collection in a a creative way. Maybe you’ve wanted to hang the local artwork you’ve carried home from the other side of the world. Whatever it is, now is the time.
Some fun travel projects might include:
– scrapbook all of your best photos, bus tickets, etc. that you keep stored away in a box at the back of your closet.
– creating a photo book on a website like Snapfish
– putting that globe decal up on your wall
– unrolling that scratchable world map that you got as a gift but never used
– sketching your favorite travel memory
– blowing the dust off of your souvenirs and displaying them in a beautiful way around the house or on a feature shelving unit
LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE
Do you already have a destination picked for your next trip? Use this time to start learning the local language so that by the time you go, you’re a pro! Locals always appreciate when visitors to their country make the effort to speak their native language. Sadly, too many of us simply rely on the basic phrases needed to survive. But imagine the enriching connections and memories you could make if you could connect with locals on a deeper level through their own language?
EXPLORE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
A common theme among travelers is our deep curiosity and desire to explore. You can find small ways of doing this by choosing a new route to go on your morning run or afternoon walk. Slow down and be present by taking in everything around you. Bring your camera with you and snap some photos of the things you’ve never noticed before.
CONNECT WITH OTHER TRAVELERS
Thanks to the beauty of technology it is easier than ever to stay connected. We don’t need to wait weeks for a letter to arrive – our text messages are received instantly and our phone calls can transform into video chats that help you feel even closer. Thanks to social media and meet up groups, connecting with other travellers is as simple as clicking a button. Facebook groups such as Girls Love Travel and The Solo Female Traveler Network make it easy to connect with female travellers globally. Meet Up has group events that are turning virtual. And travel lovers like The Lone Travel Girl on Instagram has begun virtual female traveler events.
AROUND THE WORLD WITH FOOD AND DRINKS
Get creative and have tons of fun by experiencing the world through food and drink. Put on themed dinners for yourself, your roommates or your family. You could go full out elaborate and create the ambiance of a different destination while learning to cook one of their traditional dishes. Not much of a foodie? Pick a destination of your choice and learn how to make one of their local drinks – maybe it’s a chicha morada from Peru or a Canadian caesar with all the fixings.
Some of my favourite drinks from around the world:
– Chicha Morada from Peru
– Pisco Sour from Peru
– Thai Iced Tea from Thailand
– Ceasar from Canada
– Chai from India
– Spicy Margarita from Mexico
BRING THE VACATION TO YOU
If you’re desperate for a retreat away, why not create similar levels of relaxation at home? Vacations and wellness retreats are all about slowing down, spending time doing more of the things that make us feel good, and ultimately de-stressing so that we can feel recharged.
I’ve created a FREE 19-page guide that gives you everything you need to create a one to two day self care retreat in the comfort of your home. Filled with beautiful rituals for every time of day, suggested activities and bonus goodies like meditations, journal prompts and an intention setting ritual, you’ll quickly notice any tension you’re holding melt away.
Now it’s your turn! Share how you’re staying connected to travel while at home or share with us a local drink or cuisine from your country that we should try!