Travel can be intoxicating. The thrill of new places and people, the excitement of foreign foods and cultures. From the moment your feet hit the jet bridge, you want to soak up every second, every ounce, every inch of the experience before you.
But what about when you get home? When the high of your adventure is replaced with the monotony of your regularly scheduled program?
Post-vacation blues is a very real struggle for many. So, how can you combat the gloom? Lucky for you, there are lots of ways to stay inspired as a traveler when you’re not on the road. Here are just seven of my favorites.
1. PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP
One of the best ways to scratch your wanderlust itch is to start dreaming of your next destination. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? What bucket list experiences can you check off your list while you’re there? Oftentimes, planning a trip is half the fun of taking it!
And, in the age of social media and an endless digital highway, there are a myriad of resources you can dive into for ideas!
When it comes to destination inspiration, nothing beats Instagram. Combining incredible imagery with filters and artistic flair, the photos will transport you halfway across the world from the comfort of your couch. And, using the app’s geotags, you can add to your ever-expanding list of dream destinations.
Find my favorite Instagram travel accounts here.
Another one of my favorite ways to stay inspired as a traveler is Pinterest. Not just a collection of recipes, this visual search engine is a treasure trove of travel imagery and information. You can use it to find new places to explore, advice on how to make the most of your time away, and tips to ensure your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
Find travel tips and inspiration on my Pinterest account here.
TRAVEL BLOGS
Another incredible place to find personal travel tips and motivation is on travel blogs (like this one!) They offer unique viewpoints, personal stories, and relatable advice from fellow travelers. Some of my favorites include:
- The Blonde Abroad: Kiersten was named one of the world’s top travel influencers by Forbes, and for good reason! Her website and million-dollar travel empire have helped solo female travelers see the globe since 2012. Plus, she’s assisted countless ladies to improve their photography and make their own blogs successful with her expert advice and lavish educational tours.
- Nomadic Matt: Matt is a best-selling author, travel-hacking guru, and founder of the annual travel conference TravelCon. His guidance has helped readers travel better, cheaper, and longer to destinations all over the world. Check out his website and guidebooks before your next vacation!
- Honeytrek: Mike and Anne left on their honeymoon back in 2012 and never came home. Now with two books and countless adventures under their belts, they help readers make the most of their trips with tips on everything from luxury to budget travel. And, most notably, their glamping expertise will have you longing for your own “Comfortably Wild
” excursion.
- Never Ending Footsteps: Lauren is my spirit animal. Traveling since 2011, her extensive wanderings have taken her to the farthest reaches of the planet and inflicted some truly cringe-worthy calamities. As a walking disaster myself, I love reading about her hilarious antics (which are also packed with tips to help you avoid similar pitfalls).
” excursion.
2. WATCH WANDERLUST-WORTHY MOVIES
Let Hollywood whisk you away to far off places while you enjoy a bowl of popcorn and some Twizzlers. Whether you’re in the mood for an African safari, a daring Everest ascent, or a stroll through the streets of Paris, movies can take you there in a little under two hours.
Some noteworthy titles include The Way
In addition to the silver screen, there are a number of entertaining television series about travel as well! A few binge-worthy choices include Expedition Unknown
See a full list of my favorite travel movies here.
3. READ BOOKS ABOUT TRAVEL
Prefer to find your adventures in the pages of a book? Well, not to worry! There are a plethora of novels out there to choose from, making it another great way to stay inspired as a traveler. Whether you’re searching for practical advice, personal stories, or the romantic allure of the exotic, there’s a book out there with your name on it! A few of my favorites include:
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, which became a cult classic when it was released in 2007. Her journey of self-discovery through travel inspired millions (along with Hollywood, who turned it into a blockbuster starring Julia Roberts a few years later).
- The Geography of Bliss
by Eric Weiner is an entertaining look at what constitutes happiness. Delving into different nations and societies, Eric’s search for the happiest places on earth is a pleasant page-turner.
- The Year of Living Danishly
by Helen Russell is another entertaining text about finding happiness in different cultures. The book follows her journey to Denmark, where she moved with her husband when he got a job with Lego. Her hilarious anecdotes are a refreshing take on why Danes are so cheerful.
- Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler’s Journey Home
by Matt Kepnes (aka Nomadic Matt) is a memoir about life on the road and the philosophy of seeing the world. His stories get to the heart of our wanderlust and shine a light on what it means to venture outside our comfort zones.
- Vagabonding
by Rolf Potts is a bible for long-term travel. Rolf discusses the meaning behind life as a nomad in addition to sharing valuable tips every traveler could benefit from knowing.
- The Travel Book
by Lonely Planet is a stunning collection of photos, facts, and tips from every country in the world. Each spread takes you to distant destinations (and is an invaluable resource when dreaming up your next holiday).
4. CREATE A TRAVEL PHOTO ALBUM
One of my all-time favorite ways to stay inspired as a traveler is to create a travel photo album. It helps me to organize my photos and jot down meaningful moments before they’re lost to my fuzzy memory. And, by doing so, I get to relive my journey (as well as share it with friends and family long after I’ve returned home).
I have volumes of books I’ve created from my many adventures. And, flipping through them years later, I’m always taken back to exactly how I felt at the time. The rich smell of the Nutella crepe I enjoyed as I walked to Notre Dame. The tearful embrace of an elderly woman who sold me a dress at her small shop in Bali. The arresting cold that took my breath away as I jumped into the waters around Antarctica.
Each detail is carefully recorded and kept safe in the time capsule of a few hundred pages.
Discover my tips on how to create a custom photo album here.
5. REDECORATE YOUR SPACE
Stuck at home? Then, bring your travels into your living space! Whether you decorate with maps, globes, or keepsakes from your many adventures, there are countless ways to make your home a wanderlust-worthy oasis.
For example, in my home, I have displays of souvenirs from all over the world. A lantern from Marrakesh, a statue from Singapore, an ostrich egg from South Africa, a vase from Ireland, a painting from Cuba. They add a unique flair to my decor and serve as reminders of the amazing places I’ve explored.
In addition to these keepsakes, I’ve also decorated a guest room with travel books, metallic city maps, and my photos. It’s my favorite room in the house and makes me endlessly happy.
Get ideas for affordable and fun travel-inspired home decor here.
6. JOIN TRAVEL COMMUNITIES
One of the best aspects of travel is the people you meet along the way. But, you don’t need to go too far to find like-minded jetsetters who share your passion for seeing the world.
There are tons of travel communities out there that allow you to connect either in person or online with other travelers. In fact, there are groups for every kind of travel imaginable! And, what better way to stay inspired as a traveler than chatting with “your people”?
Some of my favorites groups include:
- The Blonde Abroad Travel Tribe: Kiersten’s group that connects strong, independent women who love to hopscotch the globe
- Nomadic Network: Nomadic Matt’s community of over 20,000 members with tips and inspiration from all over the world
- Travel Insider Bucket List: brought to you by the team at Insider, this group uncovers hidden gems and features members’ inspiring travel stories
- Thorn Tree: established by Lonely Planet in 1996, this is one of the longest-running forums for travel feedback and advice
7. FIND ADVENTURE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD
Finally, if you’re unable to travel there’s still plenty to see in your own backyard! The everyday is easily overlooked, but often no less interesting than what you see when you’re away.
Check out that museum you drive by all the time but haven’t gotten tickets to. Spend the day at that local park you’ve never explored (or find the nearest National Park and enjoy its natural beauty!) Attend a nearby festival, concert, or celebration. Or make a point to taste new foods at unfamiliar restaurants you’ve never tried before.
There are plenty of resources to spark your curiosity for local treasures! My favorite is Atlas Obscura, which helps you find the weird and wonderful all over the world. In fact, that’s how I first heard about the International Church of Cannabis in Denver when I was trying to find something different to do in my own community! Its prismatic interior was one of the most unbelievable sights I’d ever seen and it was only minutes from my home (how convenient is that?!)
And, there you have it! Seven ways to stay inspired as a traveler when you’re at home. What are some things you do to scratch the travel itch? Comment below, I’d love to hear about them!
You May Also Like:
» 10 Wanderlust-Inspiring Movies
» 10 Quotes To Inspire Your Adventures
» 45 Best Songs About Travel
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