Why Are We Our Best Selves During Travel? And How Do We Replicate It at Home?
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I feel like we unlock the best versions of ourselves during travel. It’s something I’ve been thinking about more recently as we enter this post-holiday gloom, where winter is in its most intense phase. With the days so short, the temperatures so frigid, and the sun hiding behind the clouds, it’s easy to fall into a winter rut. I was watching some old videos of me in Mallorca and couldn’t help but feel that the woman on the screen was a completely foreign subject. She was happier, more outgoing, thrill-seeking, and extravagant in all the best ways.
What is it about our travel-selves that feels so wonderful? We take in our surroundings with awe and get energized by all the endless possibilities in life. Suddenly, your bucket is full of ideas on how to lead a better life, and you promise to keep this enthusiasm going as you return to your desk job. But as time passes, that hope dwindles until you’ve forgotten that feeling altogether. Right about then, you realize you need another vacation.
Why is it that we unlock our best selves while we’re thousands of miles away from home? What is the secret to keeping that feeling going? To stay inspired? I’ve honestly asked myself this question so many times at this point that I’ve decided to write an article about it. I actually sat down and tried to analyze the vacation effect, so that I could apply it to my daily life and see if I could recreate some of that vacation magic from my bedroom.
We Care More
One of the best places to be in is in a state of wonder. There’s a quiet joy to feeling curious about your surroundings, and travel is like a breeding ground for that emotion. We simply care more about how we’ll spend the day. We want to discover the local cafés, piece together the perfect outfit, and learn more about the local culture. Every day before we step out of the AirBnB, we put more intention behind how the day will be spent because we care to make the most of it. Why not apply that same care to your daily life?
Time For The Mind to Wander
Between the walk from the Louvre to the Seine, from Montmartre to Le Marais, your mind is free to wander. You’re not constantly checking your phone or working on some project for a big boss. Instead, your brain gets to operate at a comfortable pace and enter doors it otherwise might not have noticed are shut. Less distractions = free range to truly think, which means you’re getting in touch with your thoughts, feelings, and for lack of a better word: you.
The Newness Of It All
Every one of your senses is getting bombarded with something new: New scents, new sights, new languages, new foods, and more. It turns you into an open-minded person. It’s also thrilling, inspiring, and stimulating. And while we can’t always remain on this high, I do think it’s important to incorporate more doses of newness into our lives on a regular basis.
Saying Yes More
I don’t mind getting into some chaos while I’m traveling. Yes, let’s go on that midnight cruise. Yes, let’s splurge on that expensive restaurant. Yes, I’ll have another glass. We let go of our rules and structures we lean on while at home to make the most of our little trip. And while I take comfort in my routines—the early nights in and the structured days—there’s something freeing about just letting go and loosening up on a trip.
So While We’re At Home…
So, to answer the second question: how do we replicate it at home? I think it takes a few conscious changes. The truth is, you’ll never reenact the same vibes from your bedroom. One thing we lack at home that we’re abundant with on vacation is time. When 75% of your day is just working at a desk, you can’t exactly go ham in town. Plus, it’s likely you already know every nook and cranny of your city, so what’s there to explore? Sure, there are limitations, but you can make it a point to care more about how you spend your day. Something I’ve started to do is plan outfits to wear in the coming days. I’ve also started saying yes to ditching my routines (occasionally) to hit up the new bar that just opened up. Maybe you can choose to walk a different route to the same destination. Perhaps you can go a few hours without your phone to think about your future instead. How about making a list of activities you want to do in your neighborhood? There’s plenty of wonder left in your own city. And when another trip is out of budget, then let’s shake up our daily routines and put more intention, care, and stimulation into our everyday lives.
