When I ask
“When do you feel the most alive and free?”
what comes to mind?
For me it’s traveling.
A backpack on my back, sun in eyes, and no real plan or destination in mind. I am living in the moment, savouring the sights and sounds and food and people of the place I am in. I am spending time outdoors and just “living” and “being”.
So three years ago when my coach asked me “How could I get this feeling of travelling each and every day?”, my world changed.
I quit my permanent employment and for six months I asked myself that question each morning. I walked down different streets. I hung out in different places. I volunteered for charities. I said “yes” to anything that came my way. I went out of my way to find new adventures and experiences in my day-to-day life rather than waiting until I was travelling to allow myself to feel those feelings. I played and I savoured and I enjoyed.
And today with more regular work again, I still find as many ways to feel like I am traveling as I can. Things like:
- heading to a new café and people watching and thinking and dreaming
- going to a new show or museum or tourist destination in my own city
- getting off at a tube stop I haven’t been to before and looking around
- walking down different streets to a routine destination
- looking around me with eyes wide open as though looking at the city for the first time
For me it is about being truly present where I am, and looking for those little delights around every corner. That one question got me in touch with who I am and what I love, and for that I am truly thankful.
So now I ask you,
how can you get the feeling of being alive and free each and every day?
I would love to know what that would look like for you, and how you plan to do something that will take you there today.