A moment of truth
Sunrise yoga at Sky Garden in London!
Six weeks in Europe have flown by! I have one week left in Europe before this adventure comes to an end. I am so privileged to have been traveling for so long, and it has truly been a life-giving experience. Although my stomach and spirit will be sad to leave the wanderlust life, my body and budget will be ready! 😉
Moment of truth - I have learned so much about myself on this trip and wanted to share a little with you in this post. As someone who is traveling with an auto immune condition and anxiety disorder, fatigue plays a big role. I have learned to slow down - a practice that is only a few years in the making for me - and listen to my body.
Pausing for a tea and snack in a chill café in Spain.
Relaxing walks with no destination (a previously foreign concept to me as a “point A to point B person”) and long naps have been solid companions for me on this journey.
Reading on the train, closing my eyes in the sunshine on a bench or just taking my Airpods out and attuning to the the sounds and sights around me, have been practices I’ve implemeted.
Feeling the natural beauty in Vondelpark, Amsterdam.
Taking mindful moments to be in nature, touch trees and pause to take deep healing breaths when my shoulders tense up or jaw clenches. My acupuncturist back home said touching a tree or walking barefoot in grass (which it’s been a little too chilly to do out here) are some of the quickest ways to relieve stress.
Reading on the train in Berlin. Current book: “Normal people” by Sally Rooney.
Traveling with antidepressants are a game-changer! My SSRI medication makes me extremely less anxious. I have experienced several weeks in a foreign country with and without the medication, and the difference is truly incredible. Immensely less worry, substantially more peace.
Abandoning the tired and wired lifestyle that comes with these conditions and making decisions each day that benefit my mind, body and soul is a conscious practice.
Long bike ride with no destination in London.
I make a lot of mistakes, but I learn from them. I encourage myself with a lot of positive self talk and self-compassion. Re-parenting yourself is hard, but giving yourself that grace in the smallest moments can have the biggest impact.
God’s presence and providence has been with me every step of my life, and I feel it so closely in the moments that I’m alone. I am grateful for His power and love to keep me safe: He freely gives me stability, security and strength in moments of weakness.
Stopping to take in my surroundings (and Facetime with my niece!) during a two-hour walk exploring in Málaga.
Overall, prioritizing rest on vacation is hard and has been virtually impossible for me in the past, but with these spiritual tools (plus medication + a massive bag of supplements!) I have been able to find a stillness in not being too hard on myself by setting rigid plans or unrealistic expectations and just taking each day as it comes.
Even writing this, I am grateful to see how far I have come.
