There’s a fluidness between choosing to live simply and choosing to explore the world.
Simple living allows us to focus more on things that matter to us– faith, family, advocacy, community– as we shed off the frivolous things that ensnare us. But sometimes, simple living is seen as limiting: tighter budgets, unfilled schedules, and a general sense of boundaries that discourages adventure. In all the rhetoric about trimming off excess, it’s no wonder that simple has been equated to boring.
But, despite this convincing perspective, the opposite couldn’t be more true. Living simply can give way to all kinds of adventures near and far. In fact, travel is an excellent way to enjoy the simple life. Sure, there are those who desire to live simply and to enjoy the comforts and adventures of home. Meanwhile, there are others (like me) who will take every chance possible to journey somewhere new.
Why Travel Is An Excellent Component of Simple Living: 5 Reasons
1) Travel invites us to unplug.
The world is becoming more and more connected by technology, but there’s still the moment on the plane when all electronics need to be shut off and stowed. I appreciate that moment when I’m forced to sit still as we roar into the sky.
In those hours spent in transit, we become more aware of our thoughts and of our surroundings. Perhaps we’re forced to have conversations we have been putting off, or we retrieve old memories that have been buried deep. While many of us try to unplug on a regular basis, there’s nothing like travel that makes it a must.
2) Travel is about the experiences.
Many people who pursue simple living talk about collecting experiences rather than things. This is an excellent mindset with which to travel; after all, it’s more about the new things we see, do, hear, taste, and feel than about any item we might purchase. Those who travel often eventually realize that no souvenir can capture the challenges and rewards of a good trip. Collecting memories is a great way to keep clutter out, while gaining invaluable richness.
3) Travel opens our eyes to simpler ways of life.
Whether it’s a slower pace, a dirt floor, seasonal dining or minimalistic decoration, travel exposes us to extraordinary ways of living. Many people return from adventures abroad with a newfound desire to relinquish some of their material pursuits in favor of a philosophy they would prefer to integrate into their lives.
For those of us seeking to live simply, travel can remind us that there is always another way: to own less, to rush less, to worry less, and to strive for less. Something about seeing others thrive without the hustle and bustle of our own culture helps us realize that we don’t have to hustle and bustle either.
4) Travel gives us the chance to retreat and reflect.
I’ve never been good at the “staycation.” I think it takes huge amounts of discipline, and quite frankly I don’t have it.
Traveling, on the other hand– whether to a distant country or simply up the coast of California– helps me gain perspective. The worries that inevitably settle in when I’m in my home environment (or in my car) become smaller as I gain some physical distance. I think it’s healthy to invest in that opportunity simply to move ourselves away from our homes and communities for a little while. The freshness and the challenges of a new environment can help us reconsider each component of daily life.
5) Travel shows us we can live out of a suitcase.
In the summer of 2014, my husband and I unexpectedly traveled abroad for over a month. We had planned to be gone only for 10 days, but family matters kept us overseas.
The result? We made our wardrobes, supplies, and books work for us. It was difficult, but we survived. And what I realize every time I travel is that I can live with less. Even if it means wearing the same pants everyday, it doesn’t really matter that much.
The bottom line: travel is the minimalist’s luxury.
Some people have asked me, “How can life be interesting when you choose to live simply? And in your twenties??” My response to them is, how could it not? We’re freed from the rat race, the pursuit of more and fancier and better, and we can choose adventure instead. Opening our home makes life interesting. Choosing courage makes life very interesting. And being able to spend our time and resources on travel is certainly interesting.
Travel has always reminded me of the reasons why I celebrate simplicity and seek it in all aspects of my life. Perhaps the pairing of travel and simple living is hardly original, but I hope more people are able to see the connection and enjoy it.
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While we are go to travel such kind of information helps us so more and we also enjoy our journey so much. So i think you take a right and very effective step in here to make our life so more enjoyable.
So glad to hear this resonated with you– and thanks for your comment! I love traveling in Europe because of the slower pace: longer lunches and quiet moments indeed!
This is definitely true, although some people would see simplicity and travelling as mutually exclusive (because of costs, stress, etc.). When I travelled to Europe, I think I came back with a simpler mindset because I saw how other people lived their lives differently to my own. I learned to appreciate the small things like a cup of coffee and a quiet moment just reflecting. Travelling makes us focus on what’s important.
I basically compare the price of everything to airplane tickets 😉 It goes like, this amount for XY?! That could bring me to …! 😉
Yes!! I’m excited to travel with our future kids as well. Although, we’ll probably focus on national parks!
Oh, Kiki! Sometimes traveling is a great opportunity but the timing just isn’t right. Maybe you’ll get to go on a big adventure in the future when you feel more up for it!
You’re so right. Life is made up of memories and experiences, and travel adds to that. Thanks for reading, Joy!
Good for you, Leigh! 🙂 It’s a journey we’re all on, I think!
Thanks for reading, Kat! We so enjoyed our honeymoon as well… it’s so great to be able to get away.
The poor TSA agent! I’m sure they end up sifting through all kinds of grossness.
Thank you Marcella! And exactly, living simply means travel is more affordable!
Yes… I’ve so appreciated the moments I’ve had to explore and adventure. Those stories last a lifetime!
Yes!! Aaron and I have yet to get each other anything this year… and we’ll probably end up making a pact to go somewhere!
Ah thanks girl! 🙂 I love looking out the window with nothing to rush about. It’s fantastic.
Ah thanks Jordan! Travel has that magical ability to change us, indeed!
Yes!!! Oh my gosh where are you going??
Ooh yes! Can’t wait for you to go on a trip some time (and blog about it!)
I so wish I had traveled more before I settled down and had kids. But I am really excited to start traveling with them!
I do regret not traveling more when the opportunity presented itself. In 2009 I had the chance to study abroad in Africa. The horrible truth, I was scared. Who knows, it could have been the most amazing thing I’d ever done. I notice that with friends and family who travel, they are less stressed.
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
YEP! Travel is one of the reasons we refuse to accumulate more “things” or own a larger house than we need. Life is made up of memories and experiences and travel simply makes life feel rich. Wonderful post.
You are smart to realize this in your 20’s! I’m 40 and just now starting down this path of simplicity and downsizing.
Yes to all of these points—particularly the ones about unplugging and enjoying the experiences. Our honeymoon this summer was honestly one of the most therapeutic experiences for us for those very reasons. Great post as always, friend!
xoxo
Kat
The first time I was chosen by TSA for extra screening I responded with, “Cool!” Hey, it was an experience I hadn’t had yet and experiences are what travel is all about, right? Unfortunately for the poor TSA agent our bags were full of dirty clothes which we planned to wash at out next stop–one of the realities of traveling with just carry-on bags.
Amazing post! Totally 100% agree with everything you’ve said 🙂 Travelling is a great great way to live in the moment, have time to reflect and to take everything in 🙂 Whats more, living a simpler life can sometimes mean you can afford to travel that bit more too!!
This is so true! I never want to own too much since you have to find somewhere to put it all when moving a lot, and like you pointed out, this same travel shows me how little I really need. And experiences will always be better than things 🙂
Houston and I have said we would much rather invest in experiences together rather than buying Christmas presents! We love planning big and little getaways or going out and doing something rather than buying more “stuff” for the house/closets/garage! 🙂
“In those hours spent in transit, we become more aware of our thoughts and of our surroundings.”
We went to Atlanta this past weekend to visit some friends, and I had this same realization on the way there. It’s a two hour-ish drive for us, and I found myself gazing out the window, enjoying the freedom to think about whatever I wished. There was no hurry or pressure. I prayed a little bit, pondered, reflected, etc. It was wonderful.
I like this post, girl.
I absolutely love this post and second everything you’ve said Daisy. There really is nothing better than traveling…makes you reevaluate all your priorities!
Experiences > things, always. Travel plays right into that and it’s something I’d pick over ~stuff~ every single time. I’m going on a trip in January and I’m really looking forward to unplugging when I’m gone, and to soak up all the experiences instead of fretting away my time and money shopping or something! I can’t “staycation” either despite my city being one that people frequently pick as a vacation destination. I get too antsy!
I’m a huge fan of spending on experiences and not things because, as you said, I find those memories make me feel more fulfilled than any possession could! I hadn’t really thought about the other benefits you discussed so now I am even more excited for my next trip…I just have to figure out when that is haha