Last month, I wrote a piece about how I pushed myself to do too much on a trip, and I paid the price with my mental health. I sometimes struggle with being a harsh critic of myself; of noticing when I fall down, and forgetting when I get back up. But I was looking through photos of that trip recently, and I found one that … Continue reading Sometimes, Improving As a Slow Traveller Means Holding All the Purses
Sometimes, humanity’s greatest achievements are pretty gross. My partner and I were looking for a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon, and landed on the Brunel Museum—a small, out-of-the-way museum that’s south of the river in Rotherhithe. It’s focus is engineering/architecture, which I will admit isn’t my forte; it’s much easier for me to get excited about a piece of art then a piece … Continue reading Ego Death at the Brunel Museum: A reflective visit to London’s Thames Tunnel museum
Travel days—the days where you’re going to or coming home from your destination—can be stressful. Navigating public transit, long lines through security, getting through the airport and finding out your airline has declared bankruptcy (RIP Spirit Airlines!)… it can be a lot, especially if you’re an anxious person. If you’re looking at reducing travel anxiety, check out these practical tips for a calm travel day: … Continue reading How to Have a Calm Travel Day (Tips for Reducing Travel Anxiety)
This bank holiday weekend, I wanted to take a break from the hustle and bustle of London for a day trip. After considering a few places, I decided to head to Richmond for a day trip that was equal parts boutique shops and cheery pubs, and nature-filled walks with views of parks and rivers. I wanted to share my itinerary—although I feel like I did … Continue reading The Perfect Nature-Filled Slow Day in Richmond, London
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
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
This week marks over 13 years of living in London. It was an adjustment, certainly—although I’ve written about how hard it was for me emotionally, some of the hardest culture shock moments actually happened gradually, as I was living in London as a Canadian. Culture shock in London can sneak up on you; there many things I never thought were unusual in my hometown of … Continue reading Culture Shock in London: 23 Things That Surprised Me After 13 Years
This week, I’m celebrating 13 years of living in London—what started as a post-university trip to get an internship became a full-time job, and although I’ve travelled a lot, London is the place I’ve called home for over a decade. I’m not a big history buff; it was never my favourite subject in school, and I can’t say that it’s something I go out-of-my-way to … Continue reading 3 Ways London’s History Shapes How the City Feels Today
No Small Wander 