This journey has been a whirlwind of intense emotions. From incredible highs (like watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle on my first night in Europe) to remarkable lows (like hearing about the overturning of Roe vs. Wade from a different continent), I will never be able to forget this summer. To all future Circumnavigators, I want to pass on a word of advice: this is exhausting. Travel has the strange capacity to fill you up and drain you at once! With that in mind, I wanted to record some of the helpful tips and tricks that I learned along the way!
Naps are okay. Napping has such a bad reputation in the capitalist psyche because it is viewed as wasted, unproductive time. There is no shame in needing to sleep.
Journal. You should try and record your thoughts and experiences from the trip if that is meaningful to you! Journalling can look like creating a photo log, to a video log, to writing a single sentence, to writing an essay a day! Let your needs govern your practice, but try to carve out space for a moment of mindfulness.
Gratitude practice. Start with little things, it can make all the difference when starting out. For example, today I am grateful to have had an incredible smoothie breakfast.
Call home and friends! It can get lonely, checking in with people from home, even if it seems exhausting/like you don't have enough time, can actually really fill you up.
Read. Bring a kindle or a couple of books (you can leave at Hostels as you go) to help pass the alone time.
When you need a day-off, take a day off. For example, I was supposed to go scuba diving today, but I knew I did not have the energy in me and instead I slept in until 1pm. Sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is value the lessons of the exhaustion.
Practice HALT when trying to understand your emotions: (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). Not just, am I hungry for lunch but am I hungry for a deeper connection with myself? Not am I angry that the train is late, but am I angry that I feel the need to always be on time? Not just I am alone in this hostel, but am I lonely when I'm with myself or even with my more meaningful relationships at home? Not just am I tired from exhaustion, but am I tired of constantly overworking myself and demanding more than I am capable of reasonably giving? This advice was given to me by a mentor during the course of this trip and I feel so lucky to have had her insight. All of the primary emotions/concerns (ie. hungry for food, angry at train station, lonely in hostel, and tired from lack of sleep) are valuable and should be attended to. But naming these emotions and subsequently framing them in the context of larger themes in your life can help you identify the root of your discomfort.
Don't be afraid of meeting new people! I was a highly anxious, introverted kid who couldn't go to sleepovers in highschool because I found it too overwhelming socially. I have now spent 80 days bunking with strangers, some of whom have become incredible friends that I want to keep in my life!
Remember to put you first and if something comes up that is too anxiety inducing, there is no shame in taking a break, stepping back, or coming home. Sometimes just knowing that you have an out is all the security and relief that you need. With that in mind.
As I've learned, living out of a backpack is a double-edged sword. It is tough at times to keep yourself organized but it also reminds you that you don't really need much more than what you can carry! It forces you to focus, emphasize and seek pleasure in every little thing.
Pictured below is a Caramel latte that made my day in Chiangmai as I journaled.
Sending so much love to all future travellers,
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