Travel - Make a journey, typically of some length or abroad.
Dividing our lives into the time we work and the time we play is pretty close to being a social norm today no? We use that play time to do things we enjoy, although probably not nearly as much as we’d like if we’re honest. We also use that time for travel. We like to travel, infact we’re a generation of travellers aren’t we? No other generation has had access to as much of the world as we do, for as cheaply as we do. So we take that easy access, we pair it up with our play time and thus you have your annual holiday which forms the typical modern definition of travel.
Are we missing out on something though? Are we really only travelling when we take a break from our reality to escape to some far flung island retreat? If you look at the definition of travel above, it doesn’t entirely rely upon going abroad or any fixed time. In it’s purest form you could argue the definition of travel is simply the act of making a journey. The definition of travel itself doesn’t entirely rely upon going abroad or any fixed time, in it’s purest form, travel is simply the act of making a journey.
We are all on a journey, every day another chapter and it seems a shame that we allow most of that journey to pass us by. It’s tough, no doubt. Modern life can seem like a bit of a grind at a times, doing the same thing, over and over again for reasons that you’re not really sure matter. Travel offers an escape from that cycle, but lately I’ve been wondering if this escapism is actually healthy in the long term. Wouldn’t it be better to have no reason to escape in the first place?
I suppose all I’m really talking about is being able to live in the moment. It just strikes me that it seems easier to live in the moment whilst we are travelling. So maybe if we try and apply that travel mindset to our daily lives it would be a little easier to cultivate the ability to live in the moment.
It’s an interesting thought, I’m not sure it holds any answers but I’m going to play around with it a little bit with it and see how it turns out.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post Adam! I really think you’ve hit the nail on the head head, life is a journey, life is something we travel through but often take for granted! I think the tough thing is to really get that same enthusiasm and excitement like you get with experiencing all the new things that you do with ‘travel’. I think a big problem is with our lives we get so comfortable, we live safely and don’t take the risks we do while travelling. We need to stop aiming for a smooth direct journey in life in favour of a more winding one then maybe we wouldn’t use travel merely as an escapism, a short detour but more of an extension of our already winding path!
Sasha recently posted..Life resolutions I need to stick to for my own sanity!
Thanks Sash! I agree, let’s embrace the winding road life, full of risks and new challenges.
Love this!
Living in the moment is something I try to remind myself to do. I think you’re right that while traveling, many people embrace it but then quickly forget it when they return home. I can say that for me, traveling has definitely made me realize what my priorities are in life—and it’s something I plan on not forgetting anytime soon!
Adam recently posted..My round-the-world travels from A to Z
Thanks for the positive comments Adam! It’s definitely a battle to maintain that living in the moment mentality. Really is something I think you actively need to cultivate through practice. Travel, long term travel especially is great for putting things in perspective and assisting in the motivation for that practice!