Travel is what we buy that makes us rich
One of my favorite phrases about travel goes like this: “Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer”
Indeed, I feel so rich because of my travel experiences. Travel is where I love to spend money (it helps not having kids!!) and I feel like I’m getting a ridiculous return on investment.
Travel isn’t one-size-fits-all and it shape-shifts over a lifetime. Sometimes it’s a passport stamp and a long-haul flight. Sometimes it’s a new park, a new neighborhood, or sleeping on a friend’s couch in a city you’ve never seen through their eyes before.
Travel doesn’t have to be exotic, expensive, or crazy. But it always starts with curiosity. A little spark in my mind or heart that says, “I wonder what this is like, or “It would be awesome if I could see ____" What I wait for is a sign from my intuition, a rising up and a subtle swell of delight. That’s how I know a place is for me.
Then comes the research phase. This can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. Flights, routes, transit, walking paths. I love to study a map to get a lay of the land before arrival. Without over planning (something I used to do when I was younger) I allow my curiosity to lead. Sure there are a few anchors, like an activity or hotel but often the joy is in the unexpected. The plan is in place, but there are lots of places to call an audible.
Packing is where my low-grade OCD really shines. About a week out, clothes start appearing on the guest room bed but I don’t make lists. I need to see it. I’m also proud to say I pack light. I rarely check a bag, which always prompts someone to ask, “Where’s all your stuff?”
This is because I think in terms of gear, not outfits. The right gear for the environment makes everything better. If you look at my travel photos, I’m usually wearing the same things on repeat. I know what works for my body, the culture, and the climate. Travel has been one of my greatest teachers in minimalism.
After 26 countries, I’ve learned how to balance effort and ease: when to splurge and when to save. Sometimes the cheaper flight sucks, sometimes I don’t mind the late night arrival. Sometimes you get what you pay for: with tours and hotels, especially. Not all food needs to be fancy or expensive. I stand by the opinion that some of the best food is street food for a low cost: looking at you tacos in Sayulita, Mexico and rice dishes in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. Sometimes comfort enhances the experience and but there are times when discomfort adds character (compostable toilets in Nicaragua or rural Vermont aren’t actually thattttttt bad, promise)
I love taking photos when I travel, mostly of spaces: landscapes, architecture, the play of light and shadows. I am obsessed with divine creativity and how wildly cool this world is….like wow, we get to live on this little rock floating in the cosmos! Sometimes I’m in the photos I take, but often I’m not. When we focus too much on how we look in a place, we stop seeing the place for what it is: a divine masterpiece that existed long before us.
Travel is an investment in my personal development. It expands my mind, stretches my creativity, and gently (or sometimes not-so-gently) pushes my boundaries.
Travel teaches us:
flexibility
patience
creativity
perspective
intuition
resilience
non-attachment and acceptance
confidence
a sense of direction
cultural appreciation
These are the real souvenirs, the gems we can’t buy in the market stalls or gift shops. The skills and tools that help us be grounded, curious, compassionate adults. And it's through the adventures of travel that we sharpen our skills and build the toolbox.
When everything goes right, it’s called “the plan.” When things go sideways, that’s the adventure. The room isn’t ready. You get sick. You miss the connection. You meet someone unexpected. You take the wrong turn and end up somewhere better.
I feel incredibly blessed that travel has been a priority in this lifetime. From the beaches of Thailand, Panama, and Turks & Caicos to the crowded markets of Mexico, Vietnam, and Morocco. From the deserts of Joshua Tree to the rainforests of Olympic National Park. Travel is woven into who I am, it’s how I understand myself and connect to Source.
The lessons I get from traveling solo, with friends or my husband highlight how different travel can be and how it changes us from the inside out.
I don’t see travel as a luxury. I see it as a necessity for my soul. The way I do it will evolve, but I’ll always be a traveler of both external and internal landscapes.
Now let’s get out there!