How To Satisfy Your Wanderlust this 2020
The pandemic has clipped our wings. Everyone who loves to travel or has taken travelling as a serious occupation has taken a setback this year. 2020 grounded aeroplanes and temporarily closed down some of our favourite destinations.
When lockdown measures were implemented, we saw dream vacations cancelled, long-awaited honeymoons postponed and fantasised grand hotel staycations moved to next year. Staying at home may be a treat for some, but for the wanderlust travel bug, it is a nightmare!
Some travellers go and explore places, not for the 'gram or passport stamps but because this is a unique form of self-care. Travel heals the soul and reconnects you to yourself in a different way. It's not always about the destination, although most wanderlust travellers start with a bucket list. But as they go on their journey and stay present at the moment, wanderlust travellers discover what it's all about - the experience. The joys of travel are about meeting new people, trying authentic and exotic cuisines, enjoying a foreign and vibrant city, and the thrill of not settling down.
Now that we're locked down to our own cities and towns for a while, the itching traveller must find ways to satiate the wanderlust. If you're one of those people that need some form therapy, we recommend the following things:
Learn the language of your dream destination
Dreaming of a lazy afternoon under the coconuts of Bali? Imagining yourself eating steak in Rio? While you'll have to put that on hold for a bit, you can prepare for the inevitable trip by learning how to speak like a local. Many apps and online classes are available for free!
Create a dream board
The pandemic has taught us a few lessons here and there. We're reminded that life is short and putting on hold our dreams won't do us any good. So while we're waiting for things to clear up, create a dream board that'll inspire you to travel. Look up places, cultures, or events that you are interested in. Grab photos from the internet and create a wallpaper dream board that you can either print, display on your phone or laptop.
Improve your photography skills
No one is just sitting around while quarantine is happening. No, you are going to brush up on your skills! One significant skill you can have as a traveller is being good with a camera. Level up your photos with angles, poses and styles that are far from touristy. Document your memory the way you want to remember it.
Tinker with Google Earth
It might sound hilarious to go on a map, but when you are stuck in your house for so long, this might just be therapeutic. Open a bottle of wine, or indulge in some rich cake and explore the places you want to visit through your laptop. You can also use this to plan a future trip. Although we don't advise you to book anything just yet.
Go on an online museum tour
If the Google Earth tour may be too wild for your taste, going on an online museum tour may be for you. Many galleries and museums all over the world are doing online exhibits.
Watch movies and shows about travel
With all the streaming sites available, you can watch a travel show or a movie that will satiate your eyes. Live vicariously through the hosts or the actors going about the streets of Paris, or the ranches of Colorado. Maybe it's time to rewatch Eat, Pray, Love and enjoy a cheat slice of pizza? Make it a fun and unique experience.
Create a scrapbook and revisit the places you've been to.
How about reliving all the past travels you've had. Are there tickets, restaurant napkins, trinkets and souvenirs you have yet to arrange? You've seen many things and experienced a lot. Now is the time to neatly and creatively design them on a scrapbook.
Someday, with much hope, the world will get better. For now, we all have to be patient. Many of the things we do when travelling involve the state of mind: patience, resilience, initiative, and courage. More than anything we have that. So keep those travelling shoes on standby. Soon, we will fly again!
