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Travel State Of Mind

Is there such a thing as a travel state of mind? Do you feel happier when you travel? Are you more adventurous? Confident? And if so… do you prefer your traveller self?

It’s now two and a half years since I left full-time employment. Wow, that went fast! Since then I’ve spent my life jet setting, as I worked hard to turn my passion for travel into a full-time job. From hiking volcanoes in Indonesia and sailing around Croatia, to eating my way around Barcelona and exploring Chile’s Atacama Desert… it’s been one serious adventure!

Photographing the lagoons near El Tatio, Chile
Photographing the lagoons near El Tatio Atacama, Chile (Photo: @BackpackerMacca)
Piaynemo, Raja Ampat
Piaynemo, Raja Ampat

I’ve written before about how this travel blog came about and why I love travelling… I even blogged a few weeks ago about how I try to keep travel fresh and exciting when it’s such a regular part of my life. This blog is just part of my unconventional career, as I’m often busy working on travel content for the likes of Metro, Lonely Planet and Skyscanner.

But as the travel bug continues to be such a huge part of my world, are the destinations luring me in, or is it more about the person I am when I travel? Well, in all honesty it’s a combination of the two.

Meeting the kids in Arborek Village, Raja Ampat
Meeting the kids in Arborek Village, Raja Ampat

I’m naturally curious, and after travelling to a few destinations, I found myself keen to explore more. That lust to explore and understand our planet has only increased as I’ve ventured further afield.

Yet there’s another huge other aspect to it. I went on my three-and-a-half month adventure around Central America, Mexico and Cuba because I was pretty fed up. I’d hit rock bottom. I was exhausted by my 24/7 job and non-stop life and couldn’t see a way out. I was a super-duper-organised-type. The one with two phones, a laptop, and a schedule hectic enough for two or three people. People like me didn’t just quit… or did they?

I’m a strong believer that if you don’t like something, you should change it. So off I went. I learned Spanish in Mexico, volcano boarded in Nicaragua, kayaked in Panama, drove around in retro cars in Cuba and learned about Mayan history while clambering all over the ruins in Mexico and Guatemala.

Photographing the incredible view of sunrise from Mount Batur, Bali
Photographing the incredible view of sunrise from Mount Batur, Bali

I noticed quite a change in myself. Travelling encouraged me to be more confident, stop obsessing over how I looked, try new foods, spend less time looking at my phone, and be more active. I’ll admit I wasn’t the most adventurous person before travelling, but suddenly I was jumping into waterfalls, sliding down volcanoes and even hang-gliding! I made new friends from all over the world and within just a few days of being abroad, I felt excited by life again.

Arriving in Costa Rica
Arriving in Costa Rica
Looking out over Tikal, Guatemala
Looking out over Tikal, Guatemala

I guess I found my happy place! While that trip was about the ultimate escape – body and mind, I think I’ve started to look at things differently in general. I’m more open-minded, confident, active, adventurous and relaxed. Whether I’m travelling the world or back home in the UK, I try to embrace what’s in front of me.

Hopefully it’s something you can do too! Sometimes it’s just a case of venturing to a different restaurant in your area, shaking up your schedule, hopping on a train to explore somewhere new or switching off your phone and enjoying a simpler life.

While travelling I discovered a passion for photography and making videos – things that I do both at home and away! I guess travel has been a refreshing lesson in self-discovery.

Enjoying lunch at Bar Boulud, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
Checking out a new restaurant with friends in London

Eurostar selected me to be part of their “Travel State of Mind” campaign – a state I certainly possess! Hopefully after this you’ll remember to bottle the positive feelings you have while travelling and apply it to your everyday life!

Are you less stressed, more adventurous and more active when travelling? Do you think travel can make you happier? I’d love to know your thoughts.

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Travel State Of Mind

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

6 thoughts on “Travel State Of Mind”

  1. I can completely relate to this post after travelling for three months in Africa recently. I needed time away, thinking space and I completely agree that it can change the way you think – you stop obsessing over silly little things and start to open your eyes. Also, I began to reflect on how odd our rat-race lives can be sometimes! Great read and thank you for sharing – I found myself nodding along as I read this piece!

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  2. Good thoughts, Chloe.

    I’ve found that I’m definitely more adventurous when I’m traveling! I mean, I didn’t spend all that time and money reaching a new place to just chicken out 😉 For me, traveling to new places is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Technically, I could go back… but it would require time and effort like I said before. Might as well experience traveling to its fullest extent or else I’ll probably regret what I haven’t done!

    Kim

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