The Lost Art of Intentional Travel: How to Explore Different

Here’s something I try to remember: what you do doesn’t matter as much as how you do it. So let’s chat about the art of intentional travel and how to explore more authentically.

And this idea, it goes beyond travel too, doesn’t it. Anything you’re doing could be experienced in any way, with the right intention and reframe.

‘How’ you do something focuses on the journey and isn’t about the plan or the itinerary (i.e. the “strategy” of it). It’s more about the mindset and embracing the messy, creative, painful, human path of going into something unknown. The process, not the destination.

That’s the real sauce.

So then, let’s get into all that.

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The Problem With Travel

When exploring new places, there’s a tendency to feel like you just need to do certain things.

Check off the list of must-see spots and don’t waste any time.

I disagree (*unless of course, that’s what you genuinely want to do).

But for many of us, I suspect deep down, we’d prefer another option, at least sometimes.

I’m all for pushing comfort zones and exploring stuff you wouldn’t have otherwise, but doing the typical travel routes and habits aren’t always about enduring some discomfort for personal growth. Sometimes, we do them because we think we have to.

Also, why does traveling or adventuring always seem to be about experiencing newness or embracing discomfort? Is it so bad to have a guilty pleasures trip?

I guess that’s my gripe with some of travel-exploring culture. Travel should be more intentional and balanced; for example, including both exploration and relaxation by doing things you truly enjoy (even if they’re the same things you do back home). Put another way, don’t feel bad for adding ‘no plan’ vibe-exploring days into your trip plan.

This is how I do intentional travel.

Have some slow calm lazy travel days, like going to a movie theater and spending the morning reading at a cafe before sitting in a park with a camera to watch the sun set.

Ask yourself, are the attractions and highlights really necessary for me?

I like to go off intuition and mood. This is how I experience the unknown truly and intentionally. Because if you have a perfectly planned itinerary that only hits the typical spots, you’re taking away a lot of the unknown factor that travel offers.

There’s also the point of ‘travel authenticity.’

Whenever I avoid traveling in a way that best matches my personality and interests, I end up rushing through things and only follow the script that was planned. But when I lean into what I authentically want to do, I’m more open to explore random alleys, see unexpected things and relax into the present moment (which is exactly where the unknown truly exists).

I hope this is making sense.

I suppose what I’m really trying to say is travel can be done is so many different ways. The point is to find your way.

Travel tends to make us feel like we have to do certain things. But I say, lean into your whims and occasionally explore without a plan or any urgency.

If the itinerary is too perfect or structured, that’s a red flag:

• Practice the art of noticing

• Set an intention each morning

• Try traveling like a local

• Stay present

Alright then, that’s all I’ve got for you here. Lemme know below: how do you like traveling and do you feel obligated to do things you don’t want to?

Thanks for reading,
Later ✌️

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