A guide to traveling — and living — with presence, curiosity, and soul.
Recently, I shared some advice with friends heading off on their very first international trip to Italy. I was so excited for them, and I wanted their journey to be more than just a sightseeing tour — I wanted them to feel it. But as I thought more about it, I realized this advice isn’t just for first-time travelers. It’s a reminder for all of us, every time we travel — and honestly, every day we live.
Because travel, when done with presence and intention, has the power to reconnect us to the essence of who we are.
Here’s what I shared — with a few additions we can all take with us on our next journey, whether it’s across the globe or just around the corner:
Don’t Just Observe. Experience.
It’s easy to stay on the surface, ticking boxes and snapping photos. But the magic of travel — and of life — happens when we choose to go deeper. Let yourself fully arrive. Smell the unfamiliar spices in the air. Feel the cobblestones beneath your feet. Watch how locals move, speak, and live. Notice how you feel in a new place. What stirs? What shifts?
Find Awe in the Awkward.
Customs lines. Train delays. Miscommunications. They’re all part of the story. Instead of getting frustrated, try to shift your perspective: “Wow, I’m here — in the middle of something new and unpredictable and alive.” That little mindset change turns inconvenience into curiosity. And curiosity always leads somewhere good.
Travel Like a Child — with Wonder and Wide Eyes.
Imagine approaching the world as if it’s your first time seeing it. That’s called beginner’s mind — a concept rooted in mindfulness that reminds us how much more we notice (and feel) when we release what we think we know. That kind of presence not only enriches your travels — it reignites your creativity, renews your energy, and reminds you of how expansive life can be.
Engage All Your Senses.
When you eat, don’t just eat — taste. When you walk, feel the rhythm of the place. When you listen, listen deeply. The more you let yourself be present to texture, temperature, sound, light, and color, the more the experience embeds in your memory — not just as a moment, but as a feeling that lives in you long after the journey ends.
Why This Matters (On the Road and in Life)
Paying attention — really, intentionally paying attention — is how we wake up to life. It’s how we stop sleepwalking through our days and begin to notice what truly moves us. It’s in those details — the way the light spills through a doorway, the pause before a stranger smiles, the taste of ripe figs at a market — that inspiration is born.
That kind of presence is what leads to growth. It’s what sparks ideas, expands our inner world, and reminds us who we are beneath the roles and routines. When we travel this way — and when we live this way — we give ourselves the chance to come home not just with souvenirs, but with new pieces of ourselves uncovered.
So wherever you’re heading next — near or far — travel with your whole being. Let every step be a reminder to slow down, tune in, and tap into the wild, wondrous, deeply creative spirit inside you.
Because that’s the real destination.
