Yesterday, someone posed a seemingly simple question: “Why do you love to travel so much?” Little did they know, it was a question packed with meaning. Sure, one obvious benefit is escaping mundane tasks like cooking and cleaning, or even having to deal with dirty laundry. However, what truly captivates me about travel is the ability to recreate the spirit of travel without leaving home.
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30 Ways to ‘Travel’ Without Leaving Home
Why I Love to Travel
Of course, I love the feeling of being away from my normal life. I love being immersed in other cultures and languages. I love eating new foods and meeting new people.
And then it dawned on me. I realized it’s much more than the above. I realized it was more than just the sum of the experiences, the places I’d been, or the things I’d seen. It was how it made me feel.
Then I realized that I can experience a lot of the same sensations without hopping on a plane, train, or boat… right in the comfort of my own neighborhood.
I realized that I was already doing a lot of the things I enjoy doing when I’m traveling. The same things that give me a similar high. That sense of adventure, newness, anticipation… adrenaline rush in between my travels abroad. It’s amazing how many ‘snacks’ we can feed that “travel bug” compulsion in between meals.
So How do You keep that HIGH between Trips?
Here are 30 ideas– there are many more, reminders and mental adjustments you can make to experience the sense of adventure you get while traveling and none of them require your passport.
1. Keep Learning
“It was worth waking up today” is the first thing I say after I learn the first thing each and every day. I acknowledge that first thing and I thank the person from who I learned it from. Research your next trip, watch a documentary, join online communities/blogs, etc. Revel in a chance to live vicariously through the pictures, information, and anticipation of your next voyage. Btw… you’ve come to the right place. Lol.
You may also like reading Realistic Travel Expectations in Asia.
2. Be Spontaneous
The spur-of-the-moment has a strange ability to lift a funk. And you can do it without leaving home. In addition, the better you are at coping with unknown situations, the less stress you’ll have to tote around throughout the day. Sprinkle in a few daily doses of impulsive activities. And your mind is sure to be on top of its game. Just be safe. You wanna live to pounce another day. Hey, you may also like reading I Don’t Make itineraries.
3. Be Creative
Don’t paint at home alone. Sign up for art classes. There isn’t a manual to being an artist, likewise, there isn’t a chance in Hell that you’ll skate through life unaffected. Obstacles and challenges throughout life are inevitable. However, when we make creativity a habit, we continue to learn new, resourceful ways of solving problems in life that might also produce something we can hang on the wall. And traveling is far from immune to this. Door prize goes to the first reader who has had a trip go off without one glitch. I didn’t think so.
You may like reading about how much-unplanned fun you can have in a karaoke bar.
4. Keep it Moving
Without Leaving Home
My husband always says I seem to walk faster on vacation. Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? You can do this without leaving home. A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. It’s always an experience in my local gym–have you seen some of the workout equipment? It’s like a step back in time to the days of Jack Lalane. And the hiking here is Korea is top-notch– you couldn’t explore all the beautiful trails in one lifetime.
You may also enjoy reading Hiking Apsan and Three Hikes Around Daegu.
5. Try New Foods
Trying something new often requires courage. Trying something new also keeps you from becoming bored. Travel is better with new food, so try something new without leaving home. Imagine all you have is chicken. Trying something new forces you to grow. Now imagine all the ways you could cook chicken. Does that make you happier? Hey, I like chicken, but if I ate it every day, no matter how you cooked it, I’d lose my mind. We don’t ever grow from taking action we’ve always taken. Or just eat things that remind you of past trips… that’s fun too. Don’t be THAT guy who only eats french toast or pancakes on vacation.
Take a look at Hidden Gems in Daegu and 5 Best Bars to Have a Beer.
6. Time is Relative
Sure, we have to wake up early when we have to do something like work or catching a train. I try to make time for what’s important to me and I try to never waste anyone else’s time. Outside of that, I hardly ever consult the time on my cell phone. On off days I don’t schedule anything. I make a list and do whatever I want on the list for however long I want to do it. Trust me two years go like That (snapping my fingers) so enjoy the ride.
The Year of the Monkey is a fun read about the culture.
7. So is Space
Living abroad in Europe and Asia is proof that you don’t need a mansion or even a mini-mansion to be happy. Could you use more space, sure? But in the long run, you’ll probably just buy “stuff” to fill it up. Instead, I carve out a little area that’s all mine and that’s where I write and daydream about future trips and it makes me happy. Currently looking for a way to hang that beautiful kimono in MY space, so I can relieve this past trip to Japan. It also forces you to get out and explore.
Take a look at the only Off-post Daegu Housing Guide on the Internet.
8. Talk to Strangers
Everyone has a story from the lady who collects the cardboard boxes near the mall to the budding entrepreneur who just opened his third restaurant in town. You can learn something from everyone. New people are like blood infusions and not every conversation is an OPSEC concern.
Read about my conversation with a local at the Boseong Tea Plantation.
9. Take Lots of Photos
My hubby had no idea this was going on behind him. I love taking pictures, but from time to time you have to remember to put the camera down and look at things without the benefit of a camera lens. You might find that “rich” coming from me, but contrary to the belief I don’t take pictures of everything or even post them. Some of my best photos were taken with my eyes and posted to my heart.
Sometimes pictures say it without uttering a word, take a look at the photos I took at E World in Durya Park over the holidays.
10. But Don’t Forget to Live in Real-Time
Memories are wonderful, but making memories are even better. You remember the last days of every great travel adventure you’ve ever had. Thinking about it ending soon and forgetting to live in the moment. Even a simple task as having a coffee in one of the NUMEROUS copy shops (featured picture) can be fun and a great opportunity to people watch and practice the little bit of Hangul you’ve picked up– and they all have free WIFI connections too.
11. Don’t Be Idle
Something idle is not active. If your car is idling its running but not moving. If someone calls you idle it either means they think you don’t have enough to do or that you’re just plain lazy.
Read Life in Daegu.
12. Make Time to Read & Write
I write every night for at least 20 minutes just to keep my mind sharp. Sometimes, I enjoy rewriting my old adventures. Creating new tips and ideas on my blog and with other travelers. I get a huge travel fix from reading my favorite books. My favorites, historical fiction which usually involves travel, exotic locales, mystery, and a twist on the truth. Send letters a little note to your friends and family about your travels or just your daily routine. I guarantee they won’t seem boring when you put them down or paper or say them out loud.
You may also enjoy reading Travel in 300 words or less, a series I started that talks about my travel experiences in just a few words and a picture.
13. Attend the Local Festivals and Ethnic Neighborhoods
I have been to a few festivals, I had no idea what I was watching. But I enjoyed myself all the same. This is a great way to explore ethnic neighborhoods that usually have the best authentic foods.
Some of my favorite festivals have been running with the Bulls in Pamplona, Oktoberfest in Munich Germany and the Andong Mask Festival (pictured above).
14. Stay Optimistic
No one likes a negative Nancy. Especially while traveling for many of the reasons above. So don’t be one at home either.
Read about my stolen passport in Spain or my experiences with racial tension in Poland.
15. Save Money and/or Spend it Wisely
If we trade the activity of consuming for creating, we not only save money, but we get a deeper sense of fulfillment. Additionally, the more we learn how to make things ourselves, the less we need to spend money on buying them. The more money we have for future travel.
16. Get Lost
I call it chasing the sun. When I hear about something interesting, I just jump in the car, on the train or on the Internet and I’m gone. Get lost on the streets and in the culture every once in a while.
17. Make New Friends
Not everyone you meet is going to be your friend, but some of them are. I love talking to new people from different backgrounds, cultures, and religions. Remember everyone has a story worth hearing. Ironically, some of my best friends are nothing like me. And in most everything except, you guessed it, the love of traveling.
18. Change is Good
I have 20 ways I can get home. And sometimes I’ll switch it up just because I can see new things. Yesterday, I came across a wine restaurant I hadn’t seen before. So I checked it out. I stopped in and met the owner, chef, and sommelier (wine expert). Does anyone want to go with me?
19. Food Tastes Better with Friends
It just does. Nowadays most Americans only linger over meals on holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, but my travels taught me that most other cultures linger over food daily.
20. Life is Short
Most of my best travel stories were accompanied by wine. Drink GOOD wine. Actually, just drink wine. Sometimes the cheap wine tastes like a million dollars.
Read about the Persimmon Wine Tunnel in Cheongdo.
21. People Are More Important Than Things
They just are.
22. Laugh it Off
It’s just not that serious unless of course, you’re a surgeon performing surgery of course.
You might enjoy reading my experience as an American K Pop Star.
23. Be Flexible
How many times have you spent days on a plan that gets derailed by a missed flight or bad weather? It’s going to happen eventually. Being able to deal with that fact makes it easier for you to develop an alternative plan.
Read Missed Flights and mistakes made.
24. Memories Are More Important Than Dreams
I’m always planning my next 5 trips. And when it comes to life, my motto is to live out all my dreams and have many many memories. As a visual person, it always gives me something to look forward to.
25. Take Care of Business
Do what you have to now so I can do what I want to later Some of the best advice my father ever gave me… somehow makes the things I don’t look forward to doing just a little bit easier to do.
26. Don’t Take Yourself 2 Seriously
Hey, I’m not perfect, I say stupid things from time to time. I make lots of mistakes. I’m clumsy, perpetually late, easily distracted, silly, and extremely impatient. Otherwise, I’m pretty cool. So don’t fixate on what you don’t know, can’t afford or don’t like and concentrate on what you DO.
27. Don’t Be Selfish
I started blogging to share my experiences with friends and family. And I feel the same way with the knowledge I’ve gathered along the way. Share yourself too. You are the best advertisement for travel. Compare notes in Why I Blog.
28. Take Advantage of all the Local Performing Arts
We spent an amazing evening at the opera recently. I don’t speak or understand Italian, but I love the stories. Well, neither do most Koreans, so I was overjoyed to see the program was provided in both English and Hangul. Lighted markee over the stage provided English translations as well. Who knew??
Read about my experience at the Daegu Opera.
29. Incorporate your Purchases into Your Life/ Decor
Or just put all those bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and hand lotions you’ve stockpiled from previous trips into one bigass container in the bathrooms… some of its quite good, come in handy for visitors, and continuously remind me of my travels. I also love wearing and diffusing essential oils that remind me of my travels.
30. Learn the Language
Can you get away without learning a lick of Korean? Yup, you sure can. Will you use a lot of German when you go back to Cali, Texas, or Maine… probably not. But it will make ordering coppee (there’s no ‘f’ in the Korean alphabet) a little easier and remember tip#1? It stimulates brain activity, producing endorphins which in the long run will make you happier.
Comments
These are so good and inspiring for the travel want to be over here :)!
These are all amazing! Traveling is wonderful in many ways. It captures us with a sense of wanderlust and has us longing for more destinations to visit, cultures to experience, food to eat, and people to meet.
So true. Travel is the combination of all the above with the addition of an airplane, boat, airplane or car.
Such great ideas! Will try some of them for sure!
I love all these pictures. It seems like you had a great time traveling and meeting new people. I wish I took more photos, but I am a bit camera shy, regardless if I travel or not. I’ll try to take more pics on my next trip.
I feel ya, but you just gotta snap those pics anyway. Yu don’t wanna not have a few pictures of cool events.
Great post full of great ideas. I love exploring new places but hate physically having to pack and travel to my destination. I’m also different though when I am away and it would be nice to recreate that at home!
I am sure you have many opportunities you haven’t explored in your hometown. Get going!!
All of these are such great ways to feel like you’re on vacation without having to fly. Going to new restaurants definitely allows me to immerse myself with different cultural cuisines.
Wow, love all your adventures. These tips are awesome and inspiring!
Thanks, I hope so and a few people take a chance and expand their comfort zones.
What a great article! I love how your are so uplifting. Thank you for this travel post. Can’t wait to read more.
What a great post. Rule to live by always. xx
I’m absolutely obsessed with traveling!!! These are all right on reasons!
Traveling is one of those things that you can’t get enough of if you get the bug. It seems like the more you travel the more countries, experiences and foods you hear about and thus, the world actually gets bigger instead of smaller.
What a great post! Thanks for sharing your insight with us. I love to travel and try different food.
I love the idea to try new foods. There’s nothing like eating something different to really change your perspective on things!
Sometimes, the nearer we are to attractions the less likely we are to ever see it. It’s about time we did a tour on our own backyard instead of traveling to other countries! You nailed the things that you could do without leaving.
This is so true. I used to only go some places when people cam to visit.
It’s great that you mentioned food because that’s one of the best ways to experience a culture without having to leave your country. These are all nice ideas!
I wish I could travel more. It looks like you are having such an awesome time visiting beautiful places and learning new things.
Wow! I would say these tips apply for everyday life whether you want to travel or not! Just be more diverse and educated. Your travels look so exciting. Great post!
I agree Alicia. It makes life so much more interesting, doesn’t it? Thanks for your support.
I love reading your posts and i always find a positvie smiling person in you
These are all wonderful ideas! I think exploring your city especially the parts that you’ve never been to before is like traveling to a new place without leaving your home.
These are awesome tips and the photos are great. You’ve been all over the place. So nice.
These are great–I love the idea of “staycations” and backyard exploring. One thing I would love to do more of is going to local events. It’s crazy how many times I hear about something, but we don’t get up and go. When we DO go, it’s a really fun way to get to know our community and experience fun things close to home.
Thank you, I wish we could travel all the time, but sometimes we just can’t.
Love these tips! Our challenge is to live the feel good holiday factor every day and it really is possible!
So true!! Thank you for your comment and for being my 300th commentor. I hope you like my blog and that continue to share your opinions and you share it with your friends.
I always enjoy your posts! Good advise!
Thank you so much!! I appreciate your support!!
From high school- I have always admired your spirit Stacey!! This is awesome advice!!
Thank you Maria… your support and encouragement means the world to me.
Rules to live by!!
Yes they are. Thanks for your support.