I was always fascinated by how people can become a different person when they are travelling. When you are travelling, you do things you've never done before, you go out of your current routine, you are out of your comfort zone all the time. You are exploring. You become curious. And most importantly, you are aware that your time is valuable and you try to make the most out of it.
Centuries ago, the beloved poet Rumi said; "Travel brings power and love back into your life." Every time I went travelling, I felt the power to change my life and most importantly, I felt the love for life.
When you are in a zone like that, you start to look at your life from a different point, almost as if from a bird's eye view. You can feel high being bombarded with new perspectives about your life problems. And this high can be addictive. It can make you feel like a completely new person, offering a sneak peek into what a 'perfect' life might look like.
However, there's a deeper, more important question to consider, which is: Will I retain this version of myself when I return to my routine? Without the integration of these new perspectives, that will not be possible. The real magic of travel lies not in the trip itself but in the integration.
For example, if you found yourself more curious and playful during this trip, you can start doing more practices/activities that will help you practice being playful and curious. You can set aside time each week to explore somewhere new (perhaps a new coffee shop) or you can take up a hobby that encourages playfulness. Without this effort, things might stay the same in your life. You might find yourself always planning for the next trip, and having frequent trips, like with everything else, it can become a form of escape from our current agonies.
Setting an intention before the trip can make a big difference. If we can take a moment and self reflect, we will find the answer.
Questions you might want to ask before booking next trip:
How do I feel about my current life? Do I want to make this trip explore a new place and grow, or am I running away from something?
Questions you might want to ask at the end of your trip:
What did I learn about myself in this trip? How can I incorporate these new perspectives into my life?