Rediscover Travel
In the upcoming year, let’s rediscover adventure.
As a travel writer, my job is to be inquisitive. To be curious. To look for the story hidden within the minutiae. This year, when the world all but stopped and our lives’ regularly scheduled programs were put on hold, all our norms were questioned.
How close is too close? Are we sanitizing properly? Are face masks the new accessory?
With the borders closed, planes grounded, and suitcases unpacked, life in a world without travel was obscure to me. Only, our world wasn’t necessarily without travel.
As a travel writer—a relatively inquisitive, curious person—it should have been obvious. Travel isn’t just about venturing to places across the globe, but rather finding the adventures in a given moment, wherever we are.
It took the world shutting down for me to see the beauty that hides in the shadows of what we take for granted—our home countries.
If you ask any avid traveler, many of them will have a hard time telling you where their favorite place is. This is because we recognize that there is beauty within every destination.
Travel in 2020 and leading into 2021 is about learning to embrace adventure near and far, supporting our local communities, and finding ways to be curious in the age of COVID. It is about re-envisioning our definition of travel.
Globally, the tourism industry is suffering. The best way to help this is to start locally, as our small communities are in need of our support now more than ever.
For me, I had to change my mentality about being home. Home always felt comfortable. It was the same. I felt like I knew everything I could because I’ve lived here my whole life.
When I venture to a new country, I immediately feel the urge to explore every nook and cranny—to push the boundaries of my comfort zone. As opposed to when I’m home and my curious nature seems to take a backseat.
So, I shifted my mentality. I strived to find local gems. I explored more of my home country in 8 months than I have in my entire life. I found new favorite coffee shops, swim holes, waterfalls, bridges, hiking trails, and hole-in-the-wall diners that I never knew existed.
Soon enough, that exploring local mentality seeped into other aspects of my life—shopping and eating. Rather than consuming products and food from big box stores and chains, when possible, I supported the little guys.
In 2021, challenge yourself to take time to map out 3+ new spots close to home that you’ve never explored. Do your research and go on an adventure, just as you would when you’re on trip.