Wherever You Go…
Over the last few months I have done a lot of travelling and I could not help but take note that the same skills needed to create a life that feels healthy and balanced are the same ones needed for travel (and so many other things!)
patience (flight delays, traffic jams, crowds)
planning (no explanation needed!)
self awareness (I need quiet time alone every day - especially when travelling)
the ability to pivot (uncooperative weather, illness, flight delays)
a willingness to be honest with myself (what sort of activities feel like a good fit for ME and that it is okay to say no to any given activity)
being able to stick with a plan (group travel - enough said)
goal setting (lists of places to see and things to do, securing tickets to attractions, arriving on time as required)
dealing with unwanted circumstances and setbacks (uncomfortable beds, lodging that does not live up to the hype, flight delays, crowds).
These are not just skills for travel or weight loss - they are for everything. So why do so many of us struggle to bring these skills into our personal lives to make the changes we want? Not because of weakness or laziness but because the human brain is designed to crave novelty and new experiences. Change requires intentionality and an understanding that it takes time, and calling that up, day in and day out can feel impossible.
Therefore, we need to create a system that makes it easy to take conspicuously conscious steps to keep our actions and thoughts in line with what we REALLY want. This is why DOING particular things like writing down a food plan for the day, or journaling about where we dream of being in 3 months and why we are proud of ourselves, or committing to a 15 minute walk each morning can make a big difference. These actions not only actually move us in the direction we want, but they keep our mind focused on our goals.
Escape can come in many forms - some healthy, some not so much. You know the saying - wherever you go, there you are. So savor your travel and your other new experiences, but in the meantime, focus on what you need to do to create a life you do not need to escape from.
