We are beginning to plan a few upcoming trips, but holding them loosely due to our dog Poppy’s ongoing health needs. Her diabetes seems to be under control and we have found a vet that will board her. We are going to try it out for a weekend while in Alabama for a nephew’s wedding. If it works out, we will feel free to begin scheduling some longer trips.
Destinations we have in mind include other countries, never-checked-off states here in the US, and some beloved spots we would like to revisit both near and far. Our wanderlust is well-documented here and in our book #VanChurch. Yet we don’t often take the time to examine why we love travel and long to get back on the road.
I found this great article here on Substack that captures a lot about why we travel.
We are more active physically on the road, we see new things and spend time in nature, and we stimulate our brains. All of this contributes to an overall feeling of wellness and thriving. Very little has to do with objective measures of health, at least for us. We are not aiming for certain numbers or outcomes. We know what we are seeking when we feel it. “It” is a sense of overall calm and happiness. The stresses of travel are outweighed by the moments of joy. We are outside our comfort zones in a way that builds our resilience and teamwork.
All that to say, if you haven’t traveled in a while, as we haven’t, take the time for a small local adventure this week. Walk around a downtown near you. Find a shop or a park you’ve never visited. Look at your neighborhood in a new way by walking rather than driving or using your phone camera as a viewfinder for beauty and joy. Sit outside and travel in your own yard with the birds and butterflies that visit. You won’t regret it.