17 Ways to Live Like a Traveler

A couple of weeks ago, I took a much-needed vacation.  It was an opportunity to refresh and recreate, but it also reminded me of how much we can change over a short period of time.  Vacations can help you to appreciate your “normal” life and its conveniences (like warm, dry socks.  Ahhh.), or they can remind you for what you’re really working towards (“That’s the house I want.”).

When on vacation, or even a business trip, we experience a different state of mind.  We see through new eyes.  Habits form quickly.  The world is fresher, scarier, and often more vibrant.  We are living differently, but the change is entirely in ourselves.

Granted, the newness of our surroundings brings forth a different set of expectations, or lack of them, but the change remains within us.  Travel is transformative partially because of our reaction to simply getting out of the daily grind.  We allow ourselves to experience freshness, and it can have a lasting effect.

Think about it.  A seasoned traveler packs light, remains open to new experiences, and actively chases happiness.  Whether it is climbing an ice-capped mountain or sitting on a beach in the Caribbean, we drop our daily barriers and allow ourselves something that we normally don’t.  That’s the way to live! 

Best of all, it is not necessary to go far to feel this adaptive power.  You can reinvent yourself even in your own backyard.  Here are a few options for unlocking that hidden traveler, and your happiness.  Some may seem silly or pointless, and individually may not result in much, but together they can go a long way in resetting your state of mind.

1. Shop a different store or part of town.
2. Try a new restaurant.
3. Go to a local attraction to which you’ve never been (museum, zoo, etc).
4. Camp on the lawn.
5. Take a class.
6. Restrict yourself to living out of a suitcase for a week (even at home).
7. Hike unfamiliar territory.
8. Stay in a local hotel.
9. Go without a modern convenience for a week.
10. Take public transportation or walk, instead of driving.
11. Sleep on the couch.
12. Go to the beach.
13. Check email/Facebook/Twitter from a public location away from home or work.
14. Explore a new area (in or out of town).
15. Read historical markers or visitor information signs.
16. Pack and eat meals that do not require refrigeration.
17. Get out of your comfort zone, any way you can.

There are many more, of course.  If you'd like to add some to this list, feel free to comment.  I'm sure you all have encountered a few great ideas that have yet to occur to me.

Happy Travels!