After taking a couple months off on a writing hiatus, I am back into into 2024 with a lot of great plans and adventures upcoming. That being said, let me divert for a quick post.
I always enjoy living life in the semi-fast lane. Or to the fullest, that is the way I like to look at it. (Obviously. We know the name of this blog.) I love to gather inspiration, dream about new places and ideas, and then plan last minute. And this keeps me busy. I love being busy. (Super niche opinion, I know.) But lately an introduced mindset has been causing me to reflect and slow the hell down and I think it more than relates to this blog and traveling.
One of the trends that I liked the most in social media in 2023, was the idea of “the art of noticing.” (Yes, it seems and is as philosophical as it sounds but follow through with me.) Although I feel that most social media trends have an idealistic montage of how you should be living your life, I think this particular idea holds some real potential. “The art of noticing” in my understanding is just being aware of the mundane beautiful objects, places, and habits around you and re-noticing their value. It reinforces this common theme I find myself drawn to and often write about, that contentment comes more from a perspective in enjoying life rather than a quantity in life.
I am guilty of ignoring the present most of the time. I think often in America, we get caught up in production of all things and forget the process of being. I know that this feels SO real in my 20s. The number one question you are asked when meeting anyone is “What do you do for work?” or “What are your next steps?” And then you see all your acquaintances on social media doing everything you are told you have to do like moving to new cities, going out all the time, traveling the world, getting married, having babies, and having enough money to fund all this. And yes, I absolutely think it is great to challenge yourself and try new things out, but the pressure and comparison of it all makes it really easy to get lost in the mix. Enter ~ slowing the hell down ~ and this idea of “the art of noticing.”
Traveling, at times in my life, was also more of a production than a true enjoyment. I think this is also relatable with all the planning, financial concerns, and making it seem like going on this trip was “worth it.” But the best trips I have ever been on, have and will always be the ones where I did not plan, I did not have expectations, and I just took in what was happening around me. It’s just noticing the things around you that truly is what makes traveling so exciting, adventurous, and new and perhaps if you notice these things in your daily all of it becomes exciting, adventurous, and new. Ultimately the art of noticing also seems to be a synonym for living in the present or being grateful for what you have. This all seems to be very correlated because it seems to come back to not trying to control a situation but rather enjoy the situation that you are currently a part of. My father keeps appearing as a sage celebrity figure on this blog, but, as he used to tell me, it matters less what you can do in an attempt to control a big situation, but rather your attitude towards it. This is how you will define the experience. I really like the idea of this. It somehow provides that sense of control, doesn’t it? Sometimes a 4 euro bottle of wine, boxed pizza, and a sunset is a better experience than an expensive helicopter ride over the city. Sometimes it is not. Point is it always goes back to perspective.
Hold up, full circle moment. The “art of noticing” and living fully, they both seem to be definitely taken from the same chapter. If not both projecting the same idea, then at least one idea enhancing the other.
Anyway, thank you for indulging me in my reflections lately, and as always the conversation is always open. Send me a message, I absolutely enjoy hearing different or similar thoughts! I am very excited for this upcoming year, a lot of big and small adventures and I will be dropping all my intel on the Azores very soon!
*Disclaimer: I have no affiliation to any business or company listed. All reviews and opinions are based on my individual experiences and are subject to change.
LIVE FULLY 