Invitation: A Mindful Day of Travel
As a kid, I loved exploring without plans; I love it still. I find it one of the best ways to reconnect to me. I invite you to give it a try.
(First recording is the intro - italicized words, and second is the newsletter. I’m just figuring out the editing process - thx for bearing with me!)
This newsletter began as a way to share my life journey out there on the planet and inside myself in hopes that it would inspire you in your life journey. When my sister died at a much younger age than I ever would have imagined, I began to consider living my life differently.
Rather than living by my to do list, striving for this goal or that accomplishment, I decided to take my life a day at a time. Can I make just today a good day, one where I am awake, aware, appreciative, living in presence? Can I go with what is, like be okay with tiredness, or feeling off, low as well as going with the days I feel good? Can I practice this daily, even moment to moment?
I struggle with this challenge and yet, with practice, I can say that I am getting better, especially at pausing and being in the moment. I take a couple of breaths and get on with the journey, whether that’s doing the dishes or traveling the world.
Thank you for joining me in my adventures in life and in learning to live it more fully. Please keep reading, sharing with others who might be interested, and consider supporting me with a paid subscription (like buying me a coffee and pastry once a month). 🙏🏼
I recently have heard from some good friends about how much they enjoy reading which is enough for me to keep on going. Thank you for reading and journeying through life with me!
I wrote this at least a couple of weeks ago, but have been mulling on it, editing, feeling unsure. Then last week I did a day of travel with my almost 11 year old friend Priska. I read it to her and she loved it. We worked on it together and she was inspired to do some drawings. Priska, you can be my editor and contributor any time!
There is something thrilling about enjoying time on your own. It is so exciting to realize you don't need to wait for life, to know that you are ready explore the planet, now. It can seem daunting, even frightening, and yet, I think you know, you’ve got this. Ready to give it a try? I hope so. Do it. Take a day away. A day without plans, without your to-do list or a set of requirements, and go explore!
Questions and doubts may (and most likely will) arise…
Where shall I go and what shall I do?
Save this question for later so you have the freedom to figure it out as you go. First, get started! Be open, look around, get used to your own company, and see what you discover. It may take a while to actually get comfortable exploring alone. That’s ok. Meanwhile, notice what you are feeling, and see if you can allow some space for that. There are a few words I find comforting in those moments when I feel anxious or unsure. I breathe deep and whisper them to myself.
Deep breath - Am I okay? Can I stay, a few moments more? Can I be, here with me, and all I am feeling, just for now, somehow? Breathe again, repeat. Often, after a few breaths and those gentle questions, I feel calmer and ready to keep on with my day, with my life.
For your day away, rather than planning, try thinking back to when you were a kid and you had some yummy free time to do whatever you wanted away from home. Did you completely schedule your day? Or did you just walk outside, check and see what you wanted to do? Sometimes the june bugs caught my attention, or my bike, the tree beckoned me to climb.
That is what I invite you to do now. Go somewhere, anywhere, and be there, just you and yourself. シ By foot, bicycle, bus, train, car or whatever else, take a journey. And go where you are called. Not sure? Well, step in somewhere. Like it? Stay. Not so much? Leave and keep exploring. You are finding yourself again.
While it’s no longer the trees that beckon me to climb (well, not usually), I do notice certain cafes call to me. Also some bookstores, cute shops or interesting alleys, all depending on the moment. I try not to go where I think I should, but instead, where delights me. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes not so much. That’s ok. I keep on going.
What if I get into a situation? In other words, what if something does not go to plan?
GOOD! Then you can get out of your head and planning mode and step into the moment. So you missed your connection. Or there was unexpected traffic, or whatever else. You’re not the first nor the last to experience this, so no need to do upset over it now. Instead tap into your wisdom and creativity and figure out what is your next best step? Take a couple of breaths and notice that you are still breathing, so that’s good. Now get clever and go.
And think about the stories you’ll have to tell!
What if I am bored or don’t like where I am or what I’m doing?
GREAT! Now you know and now, without checking in with anyone you can change direction, choose another activity, or take a nap. I mean, who’s watching you? No one. You are on your own and have full discretion over your entire day. What, no place to take a nap? Go on, get creative.
(Once, when my husband and I were traveling in Canada, he took a snooze on a sample mattress that was for sale in the department store. That feels pretty gutsy to me, but hey, he didn’t care what people thought. I call that brave.)
And if you find yourself “stuck” in a situation, can you try just letting it be? Let the long line be, and meanwhile, look around, be curious. Let the delays, then unexpected occurences be ok, because they too are part of life and really, are they more important than your well-being? Only you can decide if you want them ruin your day, your moment.
The adult in you may want to do frustration, but the child might be happy counting the number of people wearing funny hats. It’s up to you. If doing lots of frustration would help you accomplish your goal I’d be all for it. But in my experience, I only end up giving my happiness over to the situation. And oh, wait, with no particular goals today, I am okay with what is.
Always, you can realize that you can be really happy just being here in this moment. Even with the line, the delay, the whatever. And if you aren’t happy, let that be ok too. It’s called being human. Give yourself space and then get back to it.
Back to just you and the world. It's a good world. There is so much to see, so much to experience. You need not go far. You do need to find beginner's mind and your inner child; allow her curiosity and wonder to blossom.
Open eyes, ears, tastebuds.
Open heart.
Bring your inquisitive, non-judging self out to play. Be awake, aware, and without expectations. Find a space of acceptance, a place of trust, in all that is here, that is now, that is you.
Find your inner grin, then share it. It's not only contagious, it lets people around you know you are fine, happy on your own. シ
As in, good alone.
Happy in your own skin. Content with yourself for company.
Take your time.
Take a left turn, because you can.
It is basically a friendly place out there. So go ahead. Take a walk on the planet.
Trust your intuition. Trust yourself. You've got this. Whatever it is "this" turns out to be, you are equipped.
And then tell me of your adventures...what you discovered…and who you found…out there, and in here.
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Inspiring as always. I think the pictures are perfect - quite an illustrator you have.
I needed this today. A reminder to find a moment for myself and just be me.