How Slow Travel Completely Transformed My Approach To Exploration
“Speed is the enemy of attention.” - Simone Weil
I read the quote above about a year ago and felt a total tidal wave of recognition. It acknowledged something I had been fighting to find the right words for.
Speed. The fast-paced, hustle culture America has imparted upon me (subconsciously at first) has done me a disservice. It’s overwhelmed me in all aspects of my life. It’s denied me the opportunity to be attentive in my life.
My Personal Journal With Mindfulness
I’ll begin by confessing that I am a naturally driven human who has people pleasing tendencies and high functioning anxiety. Add to that my impulsive character traits that those closest to me can attest to. I’d say I’m a pretty hardwired “over achiever” when it’s all said and done. My early twenties were filled with nose-to-the-grindstone days working four jobs, and the deep desire to make something of myself. Looking back, I recognize that I rushed through those years in so many ways with.a “okay done… what’s next?” attitude.
Things began shifting about two years ago. I began my journey into the slow lifestyle (and later slow travel) with a graduate class called “Mindfulness For The Classroom.” My teacher, an incredible professor who’s made it her soul mission to inform teachers on how to incorporate mindful practices in the school setting, had us practice mindfulness in all forms for four weeks. I journaled, I meditated, I listened to music without distraction, I walked, I washed dishes with attention, I quieted my mind. It was transformative.
After the course had been completed, those personal practices began to seep into my life more and more. I began questioning my desire to work excessively, my need to feel validated in professional settings.
The real changes began after I started to say “no” to work opportunities for my personal well being. Bit by bit, I began to live more slowly and mindfully. (This is not to say that I have the perfect practice… trust me! I’m still a huge stress-ball and an overachiever who definitely is flawed.) But nevertheless, the adoption of a mindfulness practice made me feel more like me at the end of the day.
Ortisei, Italy
When I came time to travel that summer, Luke and I had big, big plans. But for a portion of our trip in Northern Italy, we intentionally planned to take things slow. And that’s where the magical little mountainside town of Ortisei came in. Tucked in the basin of the Italian Dolomite region, Ortisei is known as a ski town in the winters and a resting spot for many seasoned hikers exploring the national parks in the area. It’s a quaint little town with one piazza, lots of adorable Swiss inspired chalets and a few restaurants and cafes scattered in its cobble stoned center.
We had no plans but be present. To soak in nature. To eat deliciously. We had no itinerary. Just simply to take in whatever came our way.
In those warm and delicious days, I began noticing the magical light within the town around 4 pm. I began savoring our homemade snacks spread out on the fresh green grass after a long hike. I learned about the local language (Ladin - which manages to thrive despite pressures from Italian and German speakers). I read the folk tales of the region. I reveled in a post walkabout beer. I observed the wind whipping around the long lawns and the slow twinkling of lights from the chalets atop the mountains as the night crept in. I napped in the lush afternoons instead of pushing myself to go into town. I lingered longer at restaurants. I was still and I was incredibly fulfilled by the little everyday bits of loveliness I discovered along our journey.
Ortisei will always hold a special place in my heart because of these memories. I feel a deep kinship towards the town, a magical little place I can only hope to return to again one day.
A New Approach
Speed is the enemy of attention. But I also believe it is enemy of travel.
Before mindfulness and slow living became a present part of my life, I used to have a bucket list as long as the eye can see. Now I can recognize that “hustle” to complete a bucket list can really cause a lot of burn out for me personally. And, truth be told, it left me feeling quite distant from the places I’ve traipsed in the past. The destinations in which I’ve given myself room to breathe and be have a special closeness to me.
Slow travel has given me deeper experiences compared to broader, more superficial ones. With a mindful approach to discovering a new place, I’ve been able to avoid the frantic frenzy of task after task and place after place mindset. It’s let me find peace and connect with myself while soaking in new experiences. Giving me the time to reflect, ponder, ask questions, make connections. It’s allowed me to feel a deeper kinship towards the places I’ve traveled.
Speaking frankly, I understand the immense privilege I have to be able to experience slow travel. I also know that it can be adopted by any one, for any length of trip they’re available for. (I’m writing a post about the misconceptions involved with slow travel soon!) I know that slow travel sounds like “doing nothing” because the idea of hustling around the globe has been bombarding us for years … but it really is doing everything for the soul.
I know that some people may read about slow travel and think “yeah…. no. Not for me.” And that’s just fine! To those readers I would say one thing - next time you’re adventuring, give yourself 3 hours to just be in a place. No plans but that! See where this time takes you. This is slow travel too! Read more about what slow travel is here for a refresher!
For those that are curious and seeking this type of experience in their life… I can’t wait to dig deep into resources and guides, sharing my poetic observations on the road, and more. Slow travel, for those that choose to experience it and plan for it, can be transformative. I believe in it fully, and hopefully you will/do too!