Do you travel for self-care and self-preservation? I don’t know about you, but I know that it has always been necessary for me. I’ve been taking self-care / self-preservation trips and experiences for decades. It began with domestic travel many years ago and later evolved to international travel. Nevertheless, it has been a part of my life for many years, and I don’t see it ever going away.
When I was deep in the corporate grind, I always made sure that I had something that I could look forward to for myself. That something was TRAVEL. Travel and exposure to different environments, cultures, landscapes, and cuisines are at the core of who I am. Without it I feel empty, lost, void of reality and living. A huge part of me has always had the need to not be confined to social norms and narratives, especially when it doesn’t bring happiness and peace and often brings just the opposite.
Because of this, I would plan to go somewhere every other month and when possible, every month. I chose to plan a getaway for myself as a measure of unwinding, relaxing, having a good time, good food and to always have something to look forward to rejuvenating, revive and restore myself before heading back into the grind.
In the earlier years, it would be 5-hour driving trips to Panama City Beach, Florida from Atlanta, or a trip to Southern California, and of course the destination that I’ve traveled to the most in my life, Las Vegas. Las Vegas has always been my go-to spot to chill and do whatever I wanted to do, simply because I could.
While many often think that Las Vegas is just for “gamblers”, it is not. There’s so much more to do than to be at the slot machines and tables. I’m not gonna lie, I love the gaming Vegas has to offer which is why it is “gaming” for me and not “gambling”. When you play responsibly, it’s gaming. When you become irresponsible, you’re gambling. Therefore, I would take my designated amount of money for “gaming” and would have a good time just as you would budget to go anywhere or do anything else. As I mentioned, gaming is just one small part of Vegas.
It's always good to be able to chillax by the pool, walk the strip, go to Fremont Street, go to Red Rock Canyon, ride out to other parts of the desert, including Lake Mead in Boulder City and even venture out longer to places like the Grand Canyon.
A huge part of going to Las Vegas is the food, shows, concerts and people watching on the strip. I’m just sayin’, let’s keep it real. People watching is a necessity, especially in Vegas.
In the earlier parts of my traveling journey from the United States, other than Las Vegas, I would go to Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean which were close places where I would go and relax for self-care and self-preservation at the start of my self-care journey.
Since that time, I’ve gone all over the world to do the same and more. From Africa to southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia, I’ve been very fortunate and privileged to be able to enjoy several countries across six (6) continents to date.
It’s still necessary to present day for me to have time in destinations away from home for self-care and self-preservation.
I’ve been told that I seem so much happier when I’m elsewhere especially when still living in the states. Guess what? I was happier. That remains to be the case to this present day. Afterall, aren’t we living for our pursuit of happiness?
What are things you do for self-care and self-preservation regarding travel? Where do you go? Do you chill by the pool, on the beach, on the balcony of your accommodations? Do you go get a spa treatment, facial, etc.? Do you get a massage in exotic places? Do you feel as though it is necessary for your well-being? If so, how? I’d love to hear from you.
Anyway globetrotters, keep trottin’ this globe and take good care of yourself and don’t forget to take time for yourself.
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