Three things I do to make my travels more intentional

Tiny precursors can add tremendous depth to our experience

Hello you

I’m writing to you from Bali this week, on my travels again. This trip was born from a feeling to follow and endless synchronicities. Yet to regret trusting the unknown when the stars align, here I am.

There are three things I like to do to curate a more intentional slower experience in faraway lands and I thought I’d share them in this week’s letter for anyone else who loves travel and adventure but can also find it overwhelming. Some of my most precious memories were made while travelling, unique moments impossible to recreate. Here’s how I’ve drowned out the noise to take them even deeper over the years.

The first is to create a packing list. I do this by getting realistic so I can pack for the trip I’m actually going on, not the fantasy or worse - panic version in my head. I simply search the weather for the place I’m staying in and write down the activities I’ll be doing while I’m there. As I’m a carry on only suitcase girl, if I’m travelling for longer than a week I take enough for seven days and then do a wash. I shared my detailed carry on only packing list for one month in Italy here if you’d like an example.

The second thing I do is to create a vision board on Pinterest. I like to do this because I create while I’m away and I have the tendency to get overwhelmed as well as distracted which can feel like a fun way to play for a while but soon turns into stress. Having a vision board helps me visualise the feeling I want embody on the trip and acts as a style guide throughout to keep my photos and vlogs on track. Most importantly it stops me trying to capture everything as this has led to burnout in the past. Additional tip for anyone who loves photography but gets click happy - download the golden hour app, take your photos in the morning and evening when the light is best and tools down in between.

The third is to set an intention for my trip. Sometimes this can be very short and simple. In Italy it was, finish my novel. Other times it can be more nuanced or even a question. This time around, I wrote the following in my journal…

An openness to inner union is my intention for this trip, to balance my inner masculine with my inner feminine. Not so I can be an isolated person, so I can be a stronger whole person who is better equipped to connect with others. Two halves make nothing, two wholes make infinity. I have no expectations, nothing I’m hoping or looking to find. I already posses all the peace, stillness and resources I need to create the life I desire. Abundance lies within me, ready to call on whenever I need. This trip is about experiencing, because I can, want and am willing. And even though, not much has happened yet, I’m already grateful for it.

Are you naturally intentional with your travels or do you need a few anchors to take you deeper like me? I’d love to hear.

Lots of love

Jessica xxx

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