Wander to Wonder: How to Travel More Deeply

Dépaysé, from French, conveys “situated in unfamiliar surroundings; being out of one's element; displaced, astray”. Un pays means a country, therefore, dépaysé would roughly translate to un-countried. While the word itself does not have a literal equivalent in English, some of us instinctively know the definition behind it all too well.

When you don't feel at home where you are―and where you are may be highly arbitrary―it’s a matter of time before you become increasingly restless, longing for a change of scenery as if your life depended on it. And in some instances, it does. Our surroundings influence our mental health significantly, so when our environments and our perception of them are at odds with who and where we want to be, that cripples us. We become square pegs in a round hole.

In such a scenario, we’re left with two options: get stuck or leave. Both come at a cost. The former results in stagnation, apathy and languishing, potentially even depression. The latter takes courage in facing the fear of the unknown. You can bet that if you choose to leave, the travel will become your pilgrimage of personal transformation. Is it worth it? Where there’s no risk, there’s no reward.

Traveling light

“I’ve learned that baggage is biography,” wrote Gloria Steinem, feminist activist and author, in one of her essays. “I've spent most of my life living in an ‘on the road state of mind’ and with that, I have noted that we are what we carry.”

She adds, “There is no right way to go on the road, only an individual way. Whether we pack enough stuff to meet any social demand, or only sneakers so we will be tempted by no social demand―whether we take along some grown-up equivalent of a teddy bear or celebrate freedom from possessions―everything is a clue to who we are and where we’re going. I sometimes sit in airports and bus stations looking at luggage as if at tealeaves. It is emotional baggage.”

Change is scary. Especially if you opt for the road less traveled where you’ll likely be the first to discover uncharted territory. You might be tempted to pack anything and everything familiar for this quest. Yet, as the cartography within you shifts along the way, you might find mental clutter falling out of your suitcase every few steps. Troubles tumbling to the ground, never to be picked up again. Liberating, isn’t it?

Off the beaten track, the road with its bumps will inevitably transform you into resilience and skill incarnate. We get knowledge from books but we gain wisdom from experiencing the world. The comfort of a bed is only ever appreciated when you know what it’s like to sleep under the stars, and that is so alluring that you might even find your sense of belonging there―in motion.

Wanderlust vs. Wonderlust

We live in the age of hypermobility. Traveling has never been easier, quicker, and more accessible than a mere few decades ago. A journey is automatically technical―we need to plan it, pick a destination and means of transport, then buy a ticket or grab the wheel and spin the tires. But how can we enrich the experience so that we not only go fast and far but also deep?

We’ve all heard it before: travel broadens the mind. But have you ever given more thought to the matter? Because it is only the mindful traveling that does the trick. Getting from A to B can be just that, or you can wander to wonder. Which is done by stepping out of a routine to transcend the predictiblity. Snap yourself out of the mundane.

Whether you opt for a staycation or a holiday abroad, a city break or the countryside, seafront or mountainside―let’s hit the road with five travel essentials that will always make the route more scenic inside and out.

1. Travel Journal

Document your journey. You remember better that which you record, not only because it inscribes itself deeper into your recollection but also because you can refresh your memory of the events by revisiting their tangible record. Keep a journal, start a blog, take pictures, or collect souvenirs for a memory box―anything that jogs your memory. This way the adventure lives longer.

2. Travel Playlist

Music is pure escapism in itself. It’s also a time machine capable of transporting us through time to the most wonderful moments of our life, provided that you create a soundtrack to the here and now you wish to enjoy on a deeper level. String a few tunes together into a playlist and it will serve as a time capsule in your headphones. And in the moment, music will add layers of depth to whatever you are experiencing. Sere soundscapes and sunsets go very well together.

3. Travel Companions

To our extroverts: what is anything without friends, right? Sharing the journey with those whom you trust and love can be all the enrichment you need. With the right people, even a trip to the park can be a wild adventure. Invite your crew to travel with you. Or, go by yourself and connect with fellow travelers on the way. Spotted a cool guy on the train reading your favorite book? Ask what he thinks about the story so far.

Our dear introverts: solo traveling can be as much fun as a group escapade, we know you know. Alone time allows for an insightful inward journey and a more thorough analysis of what the experience means to you. So if intentional solitude is your forte, go it alone. Explore the outside on the inside.

4. Travel Mindfulness

In the words of Confucius, “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”. Immerse yourself in the culture and customs of the place you’re visiting. Learn the language, even if it’s a few basic words. Taste the traditional food, chat with the locals, see the sights, and learn the history of the place. Mindful travel is about engagement and saying yes to newness. Deepen your connection to the world by living in and learning from the present moment.

5. Travel Routine (sort of)

Research shows that those who have lived abroad are more creative. Make the road your muse, open your senses to inspiration. Sometimes, breaking your usual routine means creating a temporary one. There’s an Italian café on the corner with the most heavenly coffee your taste buds ever tried, do your morning journaling there for a week. Perhaps you could also take your jogging out of the familiar forest and through the streets of the atmospheric little town you’re visiting? A perfect way to do even more sightseeing, if you ask us. Make your usual more unusual.

Home away from home

What does it mean to travel the length and breadth of a place? It’s to travel far and wide, and deep, reaching into the experience and yourself. With our remote lifestyles, the freedom to become un-countried will only keep growing so what is your compass telling you? Where’s your True North? Will you answer the call of the wild and become a citizen of the world? Whatever your choice, from short trips to long expeditions, we wish you a safe journey.

“I can go on the road - because I can come home. I come home - because I'm free to leave. Each way of being is more valued in the presence of the other.”

― Gloria Steinem