How to Travel Without Leaving Home
Dancing in Barcelona, Gothic Quarter
Travel, I'll argue -- after a fair share of experience -- consists not in seeing cool monuments or famous, tourist-ridden locations, or posting something to prove to the world (who does't give a care anyway) what you've been up to.
Rather: travel is about vision. The cities are there. The unique architecture isn't going anywhere and the culture isn't likely to drastically change. But what do you see? Not only with your eyes but with your mind, with your soul.
If this is true, then -- if travel is more about what you see than about what is there -- you really don't need to go far to 'travel' at all.
1. Never settle into a normal routine
A professor once told a class that she never drives the same route to work two days in a row. "It keeps your mind sharp," she said.
Routine: it's tempting. And sometimes even unavoidable. Though no day has to be exactly the same as the day before. Take a different route to work every morning. Never eat the same breakfast two days in a row. And most importantly, make a conscious effort to recognize the little things in life. Really pay attention to them. Life is there, but it's hard to see it when you're trapped in the same everyday.
2. Look to others & learn from them
Perhaps the thing I love most about travel is learning. And of course there are so many ways to learn and so many things to learn about. But each culture has a unique way of living. And maybe it's that I like picking up on new taste in music, fashion trends, culinary ideas, or religious traditions, but I'm always looking to gain new insights from totally new ways of living.
If you can look to others and understand how they live, even if they are living right next door, you'll be able to gain these similar insights. They may not be European or totally foreign. But after all, no person thinks exactly the same as you. Go learn from others! Reach outwards!
3. Pick up a book, one you think you'll hate
For a while, and I think it stemmed from the many years of (unsuccessful and forced) Spanish classes, I was genuinely never attracted to Spanish culture - I always went more for standard European, likely because it was most familiar.
I've been told I look German, at one point even that I sounded German. So Germany was the most comfortable place to be uncomfortable.
Though after a work trip to Spain, I absolutely fell in love with Spanish culture. And I never thought it'd happen.
Moral of the story: I never would have chosen to travel to Spain and I often thought I'd simply not enjoy it. But boy was I wrong.
I've also turned into quite the bookworm recently (crazy for me, the former can't-read-without-falling-asleep-girl, I know). But I think the key here: not only does a book transport you to a new world, if you choose one you wouldn't normally choose, you won't only get out of your typical mindset, but you'll also learn something new, just like travel does.
I absolutely realize how fortunate I am to be able to travel the world and I really do enjoy it. Though I'm realizing that it is certainly a privilege and likely not sustainable for a lifetime. So as my view of the world and of life evolve, I'm realizing that travel is a mindset, not a location or destination. How cool.