When you think about traveling, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
Maybe planes, photos, touristic spots or even a palm tree. But I bet there is also a feeling of excitement that arises everytime you hear the word “travel”.
That feeling is real and I have been experiencing it for more than two years during my journey as a digital nomad.
It appears whenever unusual sensations and tickles remind me that I am surrounded by new energies, sometimes wild nature and powerful mountains.
Everytime I look out the window to observe the sky and trees welcoming me in secret.
Everytime a stranger waves back to me and smiles at me like we were old friends.
These feelings are wholesome.
Traveling is full of rewarding human experiences, but depending on how you live it, sometimes it can be very exhausting to the point that you might need a vacation from your vacation.
Traditional tourism and the clutter of modern life sometimes can be the cause of this problem since they can distract you from finding what matters the most to you while traveling.
Tours that hardly leave you time to dissipate the mind, jumping from one place to another with the pressure of ‘seeing everything’ and barely having control of your day is probably what more tourists have to deal with. At the end, you let yourself be carried away more by the material experience than the spiritual one.
So, how can you experience your travel time with meaningful and memorable events that — why not — can change your life?
My boyfriend Douglas and I, without really knowing, have been applying the concept of ‘slow travel’ during these past few years. And this lifestyle is probably the answer to the question above and is also a big factor that has been keeping us motivated to continue on the road.
What is slow travel?
Slow travel is about the journey, not just the destination. Being excited about where you’re going, but being just as excited by how you get there, the people you meet, the sights you see and the experiences you have along the way. About slowing down to acknowledge that the journey you’re on allows, for the briefest moment, the chance to peer into someone else’s life and to share that moment in time with them.
— The Travel World.
As digital nomas, the concept of traveling varies greatly from a conventional tourist. Since our life has adapted to the nomadic style, it has allowed us to be more conscious of our presence in each destination and to ask ourselves more often— why did life take us here? — how we are appreciating this exact moment? — or — what does this place have to show and teach me?
But this mindset doesn’t have to be adopted just by digital nomads, every person no matter how often they are traveling, has the opportunity to take a different direction and experience their trip in a more meaningful way.
I would like to share a beautiful memory from my trip to Brasil, to show you what happens when we ask with our heart the next question:
What does this place have to show and teach me?
A year ago, we visited a small town in the middle of Brasil, in the very center of South America, called Alto Paraíso. Of all the amazing natural spots we visited there, the one that stick out the most to me was ‘Loquinhas’.
Let’s imagine a mountain full of vegetation and a road that can take you to every stage of this mountain, to the right and left — like floors from a building.
Now, imagine that on every stop, there is a waterfall that leads to a lagoon of crystalline waters with turquoise, green and blue tones. Surrounded by monkeys, butterflies, birds, little fishes and so much more wildlife.
Each spot was special, as if nature had created them for healing purposes. The energy from every waterfall was incredible and the whole mountain was inviting me to break free of my own fears and doubts.
I could perceive how my heart was totally attuned to the loving energy that was emanating from the mountain and was welcoming me like a grandkid in the arms of her grandmother.
We met an amazing guy that was playing the guitar while walking. He saw us and decided to play for us. It was beautiful to listen to his music and talk to him about life.
On the road, the first two waterfalls were guiding me to trust, to open my heart and soul, and surrender to this energy. The next two, helped me to let go of these old beliefs that were limiting my own growth and the last one was like out of a movie, one the most beautiful landscapes I have visited.
This last waterfall was on top of the mountain and the water was literally falling to become a single thread, surrounded by small caves inhabited by cobras, the energy of this place was mysterious and wise. It showed me compassion and freedom. I felt loved and empowered as a woman, human and apprentice. Empowered to be myself.
It was an experience that I will never forget.
Now imagine that instead of visiting this place with an intention, we just went to pass the day and take some pictures. Don’t get me wrong, I took many pictures and recorded some videos, but that wasn’t the main purpose of the visit.
I want to end by reminding you to enjoy the small details of life, connect with yourself, the people around you and nature. You will be rewarded, I promise you.
You never know what life has to show you until you ask.
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