One challenge of our travels has been learning to slow down. Of all of the lessons learned, this has been one of the most profound. And the one that still continues to kick my butt sometimes.
After years of rushing through life, it was difficult to slow down during our travels. Our schedules were typically booked or double booked: we went from one thing to the next with little time to relax or reflect. So, even with months of preparation, the abrupt transition from rushed to slow was unsettling and uncomfortable. Almost painful. It felt unproductive, lazy and pointless.
Over time, I slowly gave myself permission to slow down. And, the result was being able to enjoy things in an entirely different way.
It initially felt as though I was constantly required to give myself permission to move slower. I was gradually becoming more comfortable with this change when a broken ankle literally brought me to a halt and forced me to adjust to a different pace. In many ways, I was thankful that the injury occurred during our travels (though, admittedly, the likelihood of falling in an ancient ritual well was low in Seattle).
I was keenly aware that if I were in in my “normal life”, the experience would have been very different. While I would have been slowed down physically, but everything else would have instantly become more complicated. I would have worried about how to get to work, how to perform my job, and how to juggle everyday demands. I wouldn’t have had the option of reading a book on a terrace in Southern Spain.
Perhaps the best example of how our routine has changed, is that of our morning coffee. In Seattle, making our morning coffee was often a rushed event. The end product was often packaged in a travel cup and consumed in route to work. If I was running behind, I picked up coffee at work (and, yes, I shamelessly utilized the mobile pick up option). While traveling, making morning coffee has become more of a relaxed ritual. Since aren’t on a schedule we often make coffee while reading or relaxing in the mornings. We have a small manual hand grinder and an Aeropress. The simple effort of making coffee somehow makes us a little more appreciative of each cup. And, since we can’t run down the street to get beans at our regular store, the process of obtaining beans has become a journey as well. We’ve enjoyed finding a coffee shop or roastery in each place we visit. The experience of meeting locals who are excited to share their passion and products has become part of our coffee ritual (read about one of our experiences here).
We have also taken lessons from the places we have traveled. In Switzerland, we can’t help but appreciate the philosophy of preserving Sundays. Switzerland isn’t a particularly religious country, but Sundays are considered sacred. Most shops, including the majority of grocery stores, are closed on Sundays. To an unknowing tourist, this practice may be inconvenient. However, this custom supports families to spend time together. On Sundays, many Swiss head to the mountains or participate in other family-based leisure activities. What a wonderful idea!
Finally, I would like to share one last, benefit of slowing down: the ability to sleep 8 hours per night. I know some people who appear to survive with minimal sleep. I have never claimed to be one of these people – they are absolute mysteries to me! Yet, somehow I was never able to routinely get adequate sleep prior to traveling. I’ve enjoyed getting sufficient sleep so much that if I ever write a book about my experience, I might title it 2,920 Hours of Sleep (that’s eight hours each night of the year).
While this lesson has been incredibly meaningful, it is not something that comes easily to me. I continue work on this and expect that the changes in this area will be the most difficult to maintain when returning to the United States. We are actively trying to design a life that will support less stressful lifestyle. In an effort to practice what I preach, I am posting this entry several days later than I had planned!
Read my other travel lessons here.
