Dear Readers,
As it gets closer to summer, I get more anxious to hit the road and start traveling. I can feel the excitement pulsing through my body and the longing to start meeting all of these strangers that I will soon call friends. While summer is a great time to get out and adventure, we don’t all make space or time for our travels. So, I created a list of 6 ways to travel without having to leave your city. These are day-trips. And—yes– they’re all free!
1. Take a trip to your local animal sanctuary.
Farm? Aquarium? Petting Zoo? …. Zoo?
No, sanctuary. All the above are places where non-human animals are exploited and don’t truly live for themselves. While I know that many Animal Rights Activists have spent some time in these wonderful places that we call sanctuaries, the general public has not.
I can promise you that you will leave with a sense of peace, child-like happiness and ease. Even if you don’t want to physically interact with any of the non-human residents, you’ll feel their soft presence and dive into new worlds when you hear about their individual lives and stories.
Many sanctuaries offer tours for free, but donations are suggested! They usually go directly to taking care of the residents.
You can’t get sweeter than this, folks.
2. Lucid Dream
This is a way that you can literally take yourself to new places. It may or may not be that you’ll be able to reach your desired destination on the first try, but when you do… it’ll be unforgettable!
Lucid dreaming occurs when you enter a state of dreaming, and then have awareness that you are actively participating in the dream. People can often decide where they go, what they do and who they see during lucid dreams.
Why might you even want to start lucid dreaming? Well, in our physical lives during travel we often feel limited by time, money or our physical ability to go places. When we lucid dream, none of these factors are issues. You can go anywhere!
3. Coffee Shop + Book
It’s almost like Netflix and chill…. But better.
I know, I know. This is a pretty well-known activity that you probably didn’t have to read this post to know about. But, I want to remind you of the magic of reading.
You. Can. Go. Anywhere.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons
4. Go Solo
Where? That’s for you to decide. Give yourself two hours to wander around downtown–in a new city or place– only following your intuition and whatever desires show up. No plans. No maps. Just go. There’s magic to be found, even in places that you think you already know!
Society often tells us that being alone is often sad, or it’s even considered weird. I’m here to tell you that this is not the case, especially when it comes to travel. Imagine being able to take your time and participate in whatever experiences you want…. that’s solo travel.
5. Get Active for Social Justice
But Calen, what does that have to do with travel?
Ahhh, let me tell you.
When you get involved with issues that are bigger than yourself, you enter a whole new universe. You are exposed to new people, cultures, issues and sometimes even places. You never know what bonds you’re going to form and where you may end up.
As soon as I got involved in fighting for social justice with different groups, my eyes grew wider. My mind expanded. I went places, mentally and physically, that I had never been before.
What are you passionate about? Get active!!
Collectively Free, The Save Movement, and Direct Action Everywhere are some of my favorite groups. Check ‘em out!
6. Meditate
Your mind is a powerful tool that can take you anywhere in the world. All you have to do is close your eyes, find an anchor such as the breath, and sail away.
Happy Travels!
Lots-o-love,
WanderWoman
Looking for more travel but don’t have the money? No worries. Learn how to travel larger and longer at WanderWoman.online.
What are your favorite day-trips? Leave a comment below!