Travel Resolutions

This morning I am setting out to travel around the world. These are my resolutions.

1. Take each day one day at a time.
This is the most important thing I want to keep at the front of my mind. When I get overwhelmed or scared thinking about being on the road by myself for four months, I know that I’ll be fine if each morning I wake up and focus only on that day. Not stressing about how much more of the trip is ahead of me, or worrying about logistics of any part of the plans ahead that could go wrong. I just want to wake up each morning, appreciate where I am, and focus on making the most of every individual day.
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Ursula K. Le Guin

2. Be spontaneous.
Kurt Vonnegut said, “Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.”

3. Slow down.
I want to notice things, and feel my surroundings with all of my senses. I want to be present and mindful.

4. Talk to strangers. Ask questions.
Meet people. Ask for their advice. Learn from them.

5. Spend money on experiences and things that matter.
I started a tumblr called “Things I didn’t buy on my trip around the world.” I’m going to see a lot of awesome stuff that I want to buy, and I won’t have the room or money to buy most of it. I’ll buy a few meaningful things while on the trip, but mostly I want to spend money on experiences and food, not things. The tumblr should be a fun way to still enjoy looking at things while shopping, without regrets of not being able to buy it.

6. What would I do if I were not scared? Do it.

7. Go outside.
I want to spend as much time out in the world as I can. I walk to take daily walks along the Seine while in Paris. I want to watch the sunrise over the ocean. I want to ride a bike along canals. I want to see the moon from the other side of the world.
“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.” – Kierkegaard

8. Make mistakes.
“Amor fati” is a latin phrase for “Love of fate” – a cheerful acceptance of whatever happens. The mistakes and problems are part of the adventure.

9. Be curious.
“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” Bill Bryson

10. Give thanks.
As my friend Jon said to me in the days leading up to my departure, “I remember when this trip was a dream and a Google map.” It’s a reality now. I am living my dream. I want to take time to remember that every single day and be grateful for it. I want to take opportunities to be kind and generous to others that I encounter on the trip, to put my gratitude back into the universe.