I’m an anxious person, and this used to spell disaster for me when I was away from home.
Until I was about 26, I was dealing with my mental health in ways that didn’t help—toughing it out, reading self-help books, blaming my job for the stress I was under, and wishing that I could just “get it together”. Continue reading If You’re an Anxious Traveller, Slow Travel Might Be the Answer
Next week is the Easter Bank Holiday, and the longest bank weekend of the year. I love this time of year for travel—Spring is already in full swing in most places in Europe, bank holidays lend themselves to special flight deals, and Christian-majority countries sometimes have fun themed events for the Easter holidays. This bank holiday, my partner and I have different ideas for what … Continue reading 3 Day Trips to Take This Bank Holiday Weekend
I’m introverted by nature, and although I love travelling, sometimes being in a new place can feel like a “heavy lift” mentally. All of the things taken for granted in my regular life—that I’ll know what all the street signs say, how to order a coffee, and what way to look before I step into the street—all go out the window. It can be challenging to question things you take for granted. Continue reading Free Peaceful Places to Rest While Travelling (That Aren’t Cafés)
Trying to see everything when you travel can leave you exhausted. Here’s why I now plan just one activity per day—and how slowing down makes travel more meaningful. Continue reading Why I Don’t Try to See Everything When I Travel (And Why You Don’t Have To Either)
I love slow travel; mindful trips, where I get to ask myself, “What would make me happiest?” and use the answer to fuel days of exploration of a new place. But there are some vacations where I want to do absolutely no cultural discovery; where the point isn’t to go out and see things, but to recharge by bowing out of activities altogether. Enter: the … Continue reading “Fly and Flop” Trips: How to Plan a Truly Relaxing Holiday
Sometimes I think I’m becoming addicted to my phone. This gadget is my camera, my bank, my list-maker, my television, my music-sharing device, my gateway into my friend’s lives (via social media), and my communicator for my loved ones. So it’s understandable that there’s a draw to it—but I worry that I’ve started going full days without being able to put it down. This becomes … Continue reading How to Disconnect From Your Phone While Travelling (4 Simple Analog Tools)
I’ve been in a job that’s been nearly 100% remote since the pandemic. The company I’m with was in the fortunate position to have an ending lease during the pandemic, and the one they replaced it with is much more creative; open-air community spaces, meeting booths, and a coffee-shop style setup. If you need to come in, there’s a hot-desking system that works on a … Continue reading What Working Remotely Taught Me About Slow Travel
Yesterday I biked to a friend’s house—I don’t have my own bike, so I took a rental, and because I’m not used to riding in the city, I stayed only in bike lanes that were separate from car traffic, separated by cement curbs. I took my time, as I wasn’t in a rush.
I counted no fewer than three bikes overtaking me in the first five minutes of my trip. Continue reading How to Slow Down in a Fast-Paced City (Even in London)
Sometimes you don’t need a big trip to re-energize—you just need a few quiet days. Life lately has been feeling chaotic, and the impulse to get on a plane and forget about everything for a short-term trip is very tempting. When I imagine it, it feels simple. But I know that’s just because I’ve become too used to city breaks that they feel easy to … Continue reading What to Pack for a Slow City Break (and Why Less Is Better)
Lately I’ve been thinking about how cities dictate the direction our lives take. The places we live and work don’t just shelter us—they present options for us to live our optimal (or less-than-optimal) lives. An elevator ensures that I’m not panting by the time I get to my fifth-floor office. Having a gym I can get to in under 10 minutes makes working out infinitely … Continue reading The Architecture That Trains Londoners to Live Differently
No Small Wander 