There are quite a few differences between taking a two-week vacation and spending vast amounts of time abroad. The nature of the two are almost opposites, though some people might see long-term travel as an extended vacation.
In a typical vacation, you have a very limited time frame in which to fit an almost limitless supply of activities. You rush, you over-spend, you party hard, and you spend a quarter of the time taking pictures.
While traveling in the long-term, you get a chance to slow down. You’re in it for the long haul, you have no need to rush. You realize that what you’re doing is living, in the traditional sense, only in a location-independent setting. You can’t keep up a vacation mentality for very long. In the end, it becomes day-to-day, much like life at home.
Today marks 75 days until we leave New York. Tomorrow marks the three-month birthday of Living In Transit. Both these facts are causing me to think about where we are today, where we were three months ago, and where we’re heading in the very near future. Today Jen brought up the idea of routines. Habits that we need to develop in the two and a half months before we leave.
This got me thinking even more. I thought about routines that I’ve been trying to stick to here at home, and about routines that would be useful while traveling. Soon enough, I started drawing connections.
Five Home Routines To Take With Us On The Road
- Exercise. Exercise is very important before taking a lengthy trip. You build the strength and stamina you need to be able to handle the all-day walks through cities, the jungle-treks and the hikes to the tops of hills. The importance of exercise, I believe, doesn’t end at home. It should be continued abroad. After all, the most important thing is to stay in shape, isn’t it?
- Writing/Journaling. As a writer, it is important that I find time each day to write. I will admit that I fail miserably at this sometimes, and some weeks are definitely better than others, but it’s a routine I really want to get down before we leave. It’s crucial that this habit is deeply ingrained when we get out there, because there will be so many new sights and sensations, it may be hard to find the time.
- Reading. I really don’t read as much as I should. I love to do it, and once I start a good book, I usually go full-blast until it’s done. The in-between books phase is where I really know how to slack off. I’m working on reading a little bit, each day, even if it’s only half an hour. This is a routine I think is big to have on the road. Reading keeps the mind sharp.
- At-Home Cooking. Of all the routines, I am the worst at this one. Maybe the main reason is because I don’t have kitchen access, but I do have a fridge and microwave which makes some eating at home possible. I have an eating-out addiction, and I plan on squashing it before we leave. Buying groceries and having meals at home will help save money for the trip, and will help stretch the budget while we’re traveling.
- Meditating. Jen might not be a huge fan of this, but I love to just sit around and do nothing, letting my mind clear itself of dust and clutter. Again, I haven’t been doing this at home as much as I should, but I plan to build a nice “do-nothing” routine to take with me around the world.
Routines are an important part of life. Whether you realize it or not, our day-to-day lives are a series of routines and habits. What routines do you have at home that are also beneficial to travel? What routines do you have while traveling that don’t exist at home? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Exercise has been a must in my routine! Usually on 2-3 week trips I walk everywhere, but with being gone so long I need “rest” days as well. My goal is to jog 2-3 times a week, and once I get settled, I want to start weights and yoga. Only a few hostel rooms have been big enough to attempt yoga O:-)
Your goals sound great — make them happen!
@Heathaer – Thank you. Yes, exercise is a huge importance and I really don’t do enough of it. I need to get a jogging routine.
I was really interested to read this blog post, my boyfriend and I are going to live in Vancouver for a year from the UK in January, and I’ve been thinking recently about how to keep our routine going, particularly with regards to exercise! I think jogging is the answer – it’s free, doesn’t involve any equipment, and is a great way to see more of your surroundings (I hope!).
I look forward to reading about the rest of your travels!
Lizzie, jogging is a great routine to have because you can do it pretty much anywhere. And from what I hear, Vancouver is a great city for jogging and biking, lots of parks, etc.
I hope the two of you have a good move! Thanks for stopping by our blog!
Hope we hear from you again