I’ll admit it: I'm a restless soul. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been this way, but lately all I can think about is wanting to leave it all behind and go somewhere new. I thought that our recent trip to Tokyo would alleviate that ache, but all it really did was give me the motivation to book more flights to places I’ve never been and have always wanted to go. Since that lifestyle isn’t the most realistic way to live, I thought I’d share my tips on dealing with that desire:
Ask yourself why you’re feeling this way. Is there something that’s causing your wanderlust? Sometimes when I feel like all I want to do is get away, it’s because there’s something I’m trying to escape from. If you’re avoiding a problem or something else in your life, it might help to face that problem so that you can move past it. The quickest way to anywhere is straight through.
Explore the town you live in. Whether you’ve lived there your whole life or just for a few months, there’s a good chance you haven’t seen everything there is to see. There could be a shopping center you haven’t heard about, a museum you’ve been neglecting, even a park that’s never crossed your mind. Get to Googling and find out what you’re missing.
Express yourself creatively. Who says all escapes have to be physical? Pick up a new hobby. Focus on a DIY project. Read a new book! All these things help me combat my wandering thoughts and transport someplace else for a while. Simple, but effective.
Plan a trip and start saving. I always used to think I never had the time or money to travel. After several years went by with me never leaving my apartment, it became clear to me that traveling (just like anything else) is something you have to make time for. Decide where you want to go, when you want to go, and how/what it will take to get you there.
Just pack up and go. Okay, okay - I realize this is entirely counterproductive to this list, but I honestly believe that travel is one of the only things in life that truly makes you richer. Whenever I feel like I’m stuck in a rut, I decide to visit somewhere new. It doesn’t have to be extravagant - it doesn’t even have to be that far (the next town over will do). A change of scenery can be good for the soul and help to remind you that the world is so much bigger than the one you’ve created in your mind.
xx Audrie