What Travel Taught Me This Season

Good Morning Everyone!

I cannot believe how quickly this month has gone by—truly! I am still trying to catch up from all of my travels, but in the midst of unpacking, getting back into my routine, and reflecting on everything I have experienced, I realized just how much this season of travel has taught me.

I talked about some of it in my recent YouTube video, but I also wanted to capture my thoughts here. There is something about writing things down that allows me to slow down and really reflect on what I have learned.

I thought I was learning how to travel, but I ended up learning a lot about myself.

I learned how I like to eat when I am away from home, how much rest I really need, what I actually need to pack, what makes an accommodation feel comfortable, and even how I like to spend my time when I am not in my own space.

• How I like to live away from home —The photo above is the view from my room. It overlooked the courtyard of the training facility where we were staying. It was early in the morning, and everything was quiet and beautiful.

  I had just finished my morning devotional and was taking a few deep breaths before heading down to the treadmill. In that moment, I found myself appreciating the stillness. There was nowhere I needed to rush to just yet. I could simply sit, take in the view, breathe, and prepare myself for the day ahead.

  Those quiet moments have become some of my favorite parts of traveling. They remind me that even when I am away from home and my schedule is full, I can still create little moments of peace and maintain the routines that keep me grounded.

• How I like to eat —One of the things I truly enjoy about traveling is trying new restaurants. I don’t always get the opportunity to explore different cuisines when I am at home. My husband isn’t particularly adventurous when it comes to food, so when I travel, I feel like I have a little more freedom to explore and try things I might not otherwise order.

  My colleagues and I especially enjoy going to Thai restaurants, and I have had the chance to try different types of sushi and dishes that are completely new to me. I love looking at a menu and thinking, I’ve never tried that before—let’s see what it’s like!

  There is something about being away from home that makes me feel a little more adventurous when it comes to food. I don’t have my usual routines or familiar choices surrounding me, so I give myself permission to explore.

  Honestly, I feel truly free when it comes to food when I travel. And I have discovered that some of my favorite travel memories have happened sitting around a table, trying something new, sharing a meal, and enjoying good conversation with the people I am traveling with.

  

• Conversations with travelers —It has been so interesting listening to other travelers talk about their journeys and experiences. On one trip, I overheard a gentleman sharing that he had just run a marathon in Japan and was now on his way to Poland. I thought that was fascinating. Everyone you meet seems to have a story, a destination, and a reason for being there.

  I love hearing different languages, meeting new people, and learning a little about where others have been and where they are going. There is something special about being surrounded by people from different places and backgrounds. Travel has reminded me that the world is so much bigger than my everyday routine, and sometimes all it takes is a simple conversation to give you a glimpse into someone else’s world. 

• Packing —I loved the pieces that traveled with me on my trips. My Travel with Elegance post is a glimpse into how I live beautifully and comfortably while away from home—and a guide to bringing a little elegance wherever you go.

Travel has shaped the way I see the world and, perhaps even more importantly, the way I see myself. Wherever the next journey takes me, I hope to continue traveling with intention, living with elegance, and remaining open to all that each new experience has to teach me.