Are you looking for a break from life? When every day feels recurrent, your existence may lose its flavour. You are craving a getaway, but stuck in the daily grind, the task seems unreachable. What if I told you there’s a way to integrate the Slow Travel essence into your routine?
Picture a life where every day holds the promise of adventure, where the ordinary transforms into something vibrant and alive.
No magic potions here. Sorry to break your dreams, you little witchy. However, the process is simple: transformative tips to turn your ordinary into extraordinary.
So, open your eyes, mind, and heart! Let your soul absorb these easy-to-implement Slow Traveller tips, inviting the spirit of exploration into your daily life. However, be careful, young fella’: these changes might unveil a new world before you, leaving you profoundly moved (and addicted). Ready to embark on this transformative journey? Let’s dive in!
7 Slow Traveller Tips to change your daily life
Slowing down
The essence of the Slow Travel mindset goes beyond the tangible; it’s a philosophy. In a world perpetually in a rush, where the pursuit of stimulation and minimal effort defines our existence, slowing down feels almost extraterrestrial. At a slower pace, the world transforms and unveils several details previously overlooked. Don’t be surprised, we’re all surprisingly blind to what’s around us, akin to a mole (a cute creature, I assure you).
Adopting a slower pace isn’t just a choice but a mentality to adopt to become a true Slow Traveller, far away from the relentless time and task constraints. These constraints not only confine us from truly experiencing life but also to meaningfully interact with others. When was the last time you paused in the street and engaged in a conversation with a stranger? Perhaps never.
Want to dive into the advantages of travelling slowly?
Efficient tips can assist you in decelerating your life’s frenetic pace. Personally, meditation has proven to be a great ally, offering me years of self-discovery and a profound understanding of my desires. This simple realisation brought numerous benefits. However, if daily solitary meditation seems though, I got you! Numerous applications exist to guide you on this journey.
Give yourself the freedom to dive into activities without limitation frames. It doesn’t necessitate applying to your whole life; I firmly believe that lasting change and habit development start from gradual adjustments. Commence with uncomplicated acts, such as spending time with family or friends without rigid schedules. The absence of set arrivals and departures can make a significant impact.
Finally, not every behaviour should be a pursuit of perfection and efficiency. In our society, where individual capabilities are often measured by the speed and quality of task completion, we barely scratch the surface of what truly matters. Dedicate time to your passions and those you cherish; allow yourself the luxury of slowing down.
Time in calendar for nature (re)connection
Do your calendars feel overwhelmingly packed? If not, kick off those shoes, head out and hug trees, a weird invitation worth accepting. For those sceptical about carving out an hour within your week, we often have spare time but prefer to spend it somewhere else, let’s face it. Amidst our concrete jungles, our interactions tend to be exclusive to the human species.
However, Slow Travel helps you to reconnect with nature. By stamping an hour for nature (re)connection, this simple act can have a profound impact. Whether wandering in a nearby park, a forest retreat, or a mountainous adventure, these moments foster a connection beyond our daily confines. The essence lies in relishing and being aware of every living organism sharing our space.
“Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.”
– Dr. Seuss
Ever hugged a tree? It might seem silly, but the feelings during and after the experience are real. Embracing a living entity you may have overlooked raises awareness and understanding. Take a pause, listen to the melodies of birds, enjoy the details of a flower, or be entranced by a sunset – these are the treasures we often neglect in our haste.
Amid our bustling lives, slowing down can unveil profound moments of joy and connection. So, dare to venture into nature and savour the gifts it offers.
Ask for recommendations
Why limit ourselves to seeking recommendations only when we travel abroad? Hidden gems are all around us, waiting to be discovered, even in the familiar neighbourhoods we’ve called home for years. Humans, restraining themselves, perceive the world in unique and diverse ways.
Expand your horizons with insights from locals or, even better, a fellow traveller. These wanderers, constrained by time, actively explore their surroundings, while we, settled in routine, often postpone such explorations. In those moments, they become temporary guides. I lost count when, in a new place, I sought directions from locals only to find they were unfamiliar with the place I was looking for, triggering their curiosity.
Uncover new experiences you may have overlooked for too long. That mysterious door could lead to a hidden restaurant, the bar owner might share incredible stories, or your next passion could be waiting around the corner.
By broadening our perspective and resisting narrowing our vision of the world, the potential for exploration expands drastically. Mundane and sometimes boring surroundings transform into a canvas of endless discovery, ready to be explored.
Accept to Get bored
Is boredom one of our biggest fears as human beings? The vision of confronting our inner selves seems frightening in a world of constant stimulation. The art of doing nothing for even half an hour challenges us, we are moved away from simply engaging in a conversation with ourselves. Try dedicating just 20 minutes a week to boredom and watch ideas, experiences you crave to do, and innovative ways to pursue them popping up.
In the realm of creativity, boredom is a catalyst. Much like meditation, embracing this state of mind realigns us with what truly matters. It offers respite from daily life, a pause to escape the relentless stream of thoughts and rediscover the essence of self.
Slow Travelling isn't always about rainbows and butterflies...
Book a local Slow Travel experience
Amidst the growing influence and popularity of Slow Travel, numerous unique experiences are sprouting worldwide. Consequently, chances are, some are calling, akin to your mother summoning you to set the table but less aggressively. Imagine a local restaurant where you take vegetables directly from their garden and cook alongside the chef, or dive into a locally sourced wine tasting, culinary adventures being, at the moment, the most popular and accessible Slow Travel experiences.
Embrace your inner detective and explore the hidden gems in your vicinity. To do so, couple this one with Tip #3 from this guide and obtain a valuable ally in your quest. Local producers and artisans are eager to share their knowledge with interested customers. They talk with passion and their stories are a delight to hear.
By immersing yourself in these narratives, you not only foster the local economy but also unveil a new experience dimension by bonding with these local businesses.
Dare to take new itinerary
It wouldn’t be eccentric to say that we often take the same itinerary to make our daily home-work-home journey. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it might be the most efficient way and you perfectly know all the shops, streets, and parks along your way. However, what about the very nearest street? Chances are, you haven’t stepped there once, even if it’s only a few metres away from your usual route.
A London study during a strike revealed the surprising benefits of forced experimentation with new routes (source: here). People discovered that their initial choice might not be the best, and there’s always a new way waiting to be explored.
Consider this: your surroundings transform when you choose a different mode of transportation, whether it’s the subway, trains over planes, a bike ride, or a leisurely walk. Rediscover the joy of the unexpected by changing your routine for exploration, and the slow travel philosophy reshape your daily adventure.
Challenge yourself, young fella’, and experience the world in a whole new light!
Read or watch Slow Travel movies
One of the biggest tips to unlock the secrets of learning? Step forward and dive into the book universe, a timeless teacher. Combine this one with our earlier tips and witness transformative shifts in your life along an evolving slow traveller.
Some authors have inspired and helped me in widening my world’s vision. Their ability to transmit ideas and thoughts truly guided me and lighted up this little flame I had within me. This list of my favourite Slow Travel books is then purely subjective. Nevertheless, I hope you will find some gems to act as a guide for your own odyssey.
For the digital nomads craving cinematic adventures, fear not! Movies also mirror the ethos of travel, pouring sparks of contemplation by transporting you to diverse corners of the world. Some of them are great actors to foster ideas and questions about the way we travel, the necessity to change it and open our eyes about things we had right under our noses for years. Once again, this list of my favourite travel and Slow Travel movies is purely subjective, but you get it by now, you little brainy.
Be ready to slow travel daily
So, there you have it, young fella’, the roadmap to integrate a Slow Travel dose into your daily life. Enter the slow dance and discover hidden moments waiting to be savoured.
But before you rush off to hug the nearest tree, let’s not forget that sometimes, the most profound discoveries happen between destinations. So, dear explorer, where will your Slow Travel journey take you next? Perhaps it’s time to write your own script with a dash of spontaneity and an everyday sprinkle of curiosity.
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with Heart.
