Getting inspired and staying inspired when I’m not doing what I love is a massive struggle for me. As a self-confessed wanderluster I admit that I love being on a plane. I love discovering new places, experiencing news cultures and just simply realizing that we are all more alike than we think. Because I love traveling I may start planning my next trip right in the middle of experiencing the current one.
But let’s face it, constantly being on the road and living a nomadic lifestyle though it’s trendy is not practical for most of us. With work, school and other grown up responsibilities leaving for a new place every few weeks may come at a great cost. That said, it may be hard to stay inspired when you’re not traveling if you’re like me and get inspired to do all sorts of crazy things when you’re out of your comfort zone. These are some of the things I incorporate into my daily routine to keep myself sane.
- RE-LIVE PREVIOUS TRIPS
Those hundreds of photos and videos will come in handy at some point right? Well this is it. I get fired up every time I go through my photos and videos and relive the time I spent in a particular city or country. It reminds me of the experience, the mood I was in at that time, the beauty of the place and the people. If I’m feeling particularly uninspired I whip out my phone or album (yes they still exist) and go through the photos from a place I thoroughly enjoyed. I find it particularly helpful to record videos and even just the sound of a place so you can you can listen to it to be instantly transported back in time!
2. PLAN ANOTHER TRIP
Even if you can’t take a trip in the near future you can still pretend you’re going in two weeks. Research flights, hotels, restaurants and activities. I planned my trip to Singapore years before it actually happened. I knew so much about Singapore that when I met a Singaporean on a work trip she was in awe that I knew so much and I had never visited the place. Immerse yourself in your make-believe trip, the worst that could happen you end up with a well-researched itinerary you can share with others. The best case scenario if your chance for that trip comes up, lucky you; you are well prepared.
3. GET OUT AND RE-DISCOVER YOUR HOMETOWN
Ever listened to someone else talk about where you live? Aren’t you amazed at some of the things they say and feel about your city? We often overlook or unique experiences in favour of others more (seemingly) interesting reality. In this case try to see your hometown or city from the eyes of a visitor! What have you grown accustomed to that others may find interesting? I often wonder how people live in Paris when there are so many things to do or awe inspiring place to see. But yet these same people live normally go to work and school just like you and I. And in turn people are fascinated by island living. They romanticize that our days are filled with beaches, pina-coladas and island music. Sometimes it is, but the majority of the time we have real work to get done.
Since people travel to your country or city for some of the same things you take for granted, try living in their shoes and experiencing where you live through their eyes. Read my tips on vacationing at home by planning a staycation. click here.
4. WRITE A JOURNAL OR BLOG AND RE-READ IT REGULARLY
Writing about your experiences adds another dimension to your photos. It’s great to journal your experiences so you can relive them later on, or if you’re brave share them with others 🙀 This is one of the main reasons I started this blog and every time I re-read a post about a destination I’m instantly inspired and reminded of how it felt to be there.
5. TALK ABOUT THE TRIP WITH SOMEONE OR THE PERSON YOU EXPERIENCED IT WITH
Wanderlusters love talking about the places they visited. And people are sometimes genuinely interested in learning about new places too. So without sounding braggy share you experiences with someone, they may be genuinely interested and keen to find out what a place was really like. Maybe you could help debunk some myths about a country or validate the truth about others. Either way you may inspire others through your story and in turn inspire yourself.
Fellow wanderlusters what are your tips on keeping sane when you are not traveling? Let me know in the comments.
Pin for Later!
