How travel changes you
Reflections on my trip to New Zealand
Travel changes you. I've been travelling a lot over the last year so I know this from first hand experience. My purpose is inspiring other women like myself. I'm 61 years old. I’ve not had an easy life, but it's never too late to start over.
Earlier in April I was in Auckland for a week. It was my first time in New Zealand but I didn’t actually do a lot while I was there.
And that's what I mean when I say travel changes you. In the past when I was somewhere new I would be trying to cram everything in and do all the touristy things. But mostly what I did this time was reading and resting, especially for the first couple of days, because I arrived very late. I allowed myself time and space, not feeling the need to be busy. I think that is how travel has changed me. Because I slowed down. I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago about the difference between travel and a holiday. I invite you to go and read about my reflections.
I had to be out of my room by 10, but I stayed until 10. I didn’t feel the need to get up and rush out somewhere. I took my time getting ready. Had a cup of tea, a shower, read my book for a bit, went to a café for breakfast. I spent a lot of time just walking around the city.
For example I intended to go to the Auckland museum. I would have gone in. It said it was free, but if you're not a New Zealander, it cost NZ$32 and I thought, do I really want to spend $32 on going to a museum? No, I didn't. So I sat in the café, had a cup of tea and read my book instead. Afterwards I spent time wandering through the Auckland Domain where the museum is located.
As I get more into this nomadic life I realised, initially, it felt like being on holiday. I felt the need to fill my days if I was in a new place. Then I realised that was a scarcity mindset. I didn't need to because I could always go back. So that's the way I now look at it.
My first time in New Zealand was partly to do a visa run because I had to leave Australia after three months.
One day, I was walking down by the docks, and there was a street library. I grabbed myself a novel. Many of the characters in the novel resonated with me. People that live nomadic lives, that want to be creative - writers, photographers, for example.
With the space and time to reflect, I went to the beach while I was there as well of course! To me what is important is being present. I really loved having the time on my own and to be comfortable with myself and my own company. Especially because I've been working through some difficult emotions since I left the UK in January as well as trying to build a new life.
It feels as if things are settling down, there's no rush and events will unfold in their own time. I have faith.
Travelling vs a holiday
Do you want a holiday or do you want to travel? One will give you a break from life; the other will change the way you live it. That’s what has happened to me.Thanks for reading Go with Helen! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Oh Helen, I’m so glad you’re now finding some peace and space. And I understand that feeling of not rushing about to visit each touristic spot in a given holiday destination. I remember when we bought our place in Turkey 18 years ago, family and friends said, “Why would you want to go back to the same place time and time again when there are so many other places in the world to experience?” Well, I am experiencing those “other” places but I also have a “bolthole” where I can escape the traumas of my current life, reset myself by living a very simple existence and concentrate on my own needs. I wish you well on your journey X
Totally agree with you re travel Vs holiday! I've also experienced this (and written about it today in fact) - going back to the same place in France over the last decade means that when we go there now we can just "be" without the need to sightsee or fill our days with stuff - and that is so restorative. I enjoyed reading your thoughts. Thank you.