Being spontaneous allows us to open up to the unknown, pushes us out of our comfort zone, and lets us experience things we would never have planned. That flexibility to change direction at the last moment, or to decide on the spot that a new place, an unexpected conversation, or a sudden detour are unique opportunities, is what truly enriches every journey.
Your article reminded me that sometimes the most valuable experiences aren't in the plans but in what arises without having been anticipated. Thank you for such an inspiring reflection!
Javier, thank you for your warm and sincere comment. I couldn’t have said it any better here! The mission of spontaneous travel is to allow for the opportunity to change plans. It means as travelers we allow ourselves to meander down a newly discovered path, or to take an unexpected side trip that suddenly changes everything for the better. I love that you mention flexibility, I think that’s the keyword here. To build in the option of heading west instead of going north. Sure there’s risk involved and it may take you to some unexpected places, but isn’t that what feeds curiosity and resilience? Thanks for being such a great reader and subscriber. Your perspective is always welcome.
Wow! Your reflection on staying in the present while traveling is first-rate and so insightful. So many people, when they travel, just do the tourist route, which is fine if it meets their needs. They often check off things-to-do-when-traveling on a list. Spontaneous travel, as you point out and aim for, is a great guide into living in the present. I agree that social media can pull us away from our life purposes, but you are so steadfastly a spontaneous traveler, and your wanting/needing to stay in the present is an affirmation of your very essence. I love this post and know others would benefit from reading it.
Like you, I love Walt Whitman! His poetry is freeing and liberating, not to mention brilliant. I've never read Whitman's poem "Spontaneous Me," though, and I will now read it.
Thank you for taking us on your journey of finding the essence of traveling spontaneously and staying in the present. Enjoy your trip and the music!
Beth, thank you so very much for sharing your reflections here. I think one of the reasons I started this project was to get people to break out of only gadopting the suggested tourist route. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with following a well seasoned travelers advice (to this day I still look to the wisdom of travel author Rick Steves for places to inhabit). It’s when we don’t infuse our own intuition and desires and creativity into the journey that we might become less inclined to step out and take risks. Yes," do read more Whitman. He’s my spirit mentor on my own great Big Journey. Thanks for being here and for being such a terrific kindred spirit!
Thank you so much for inviting me to your pages. Only a few articles in, and I already know that I will be looking forward to receiving your weekly thoughts and stories of your adventures.
I'm not sure that I have come across the term "spontaneous traveller" before, but I would proudly wear the label if someone wanted to hang it on me!
Nearly 40 years ago, I set off on an epic trip around the world that lasted a whole year. The majority of my time away was spent in Australia, but the route to get there was via the Far East, and returning via New Zealand and United States.
I was a young twentysomething, not at all street-wise, and thought I was the bravest person on the planet. Of course, in reality there were hundreds of others doing the same thing, but we all identified as travellers, not tourists.
Every day was about having plans, making decisions, budgeting etc, but most of all being free as a bird and heading off in any direction that took my fancy. That year was the year I really came of age, and the memories of that time are as clear in my head as if they happened only yesterday. What memories!!
These days, time has been more restrictive and the tourist in me has overtaken the traveller, but only in my quest to see as much as possible in a few weeks. But now that I have finished working, I am definitely looking forward to being more spontaneous and taking advantage of my inquisitive nature again.
Thanks again Gerard, for your friendship and for inspiring me to get out there. It is an absolute pleasure knowing you, and I look forward to some adventures in your company sometime soon ❤ xx
Dear Gerard.
What a wonderful article you've written!
Being spontaneous allows us to open up to the unknown, pushes us out of our comfort zone, and lets us experience things we would never have planned. That flexibility to change direction at the last moment, or to decide on the spot that a new place, an unexpected conversation, or a sudden detour are unique opportunities, is what truly enriches every journey.
Your article reminded me that sometimes the most valuable experiences aren't in the plans but in what arises without having been anticipated. Thank you for such an inspiring reflection!
Undoubtedly WWTHOAT.
Javier, thank you for your warm and sincere comment. I couldn’t have said it any better here! The mission of spontaneous travel is to allow for the opportunity to change plans. It means as travelers we allow ourselves to meander down a newly discovered path, or to take an unexpected side trip that suddenly changes everything for the better. I love that you mention flexibility, I think that’s the keyword here. To build in the option of heading west instead of going north. Sure there’s risk involved and it may take you to some unexpected places, but isn’t that what feeds curiosity and resilience? Thanks for being such a great reader and subscriber. Your perspective is always welcome.
Hi Gerry,
Wow! Your reflection on staying in the present while traveling is first-rate and so insightful. So many people, when they travel, just do the tourist route, which is fine if it meets their needs. They often check off things-to-do-when-traveling on a list. Spontaneous travel, as you point out and aim for, is a great guide into living in the present. I agree that social media can pull us away from our life purposes, but you are so steadfastly a spontaneous traveler, and your wanting/needing to stay in the present is an affirmation of your very essence. I love this post and know others would benefit from reading it.
Like you, I love Walt Whitman! His poetry is freeing and liberating, not to mention brilliant. I've never read Whitman's poem "Spontaneous Me," though, and I will now read it.
Thank you for taking us on your journey of finding the essence of traveling spontaneously and staying in the present. Enjoy your trip and the music!
Beth, thank you so very much for sharing your reflections here. I think one of the reasons I started this project was to get people to break out of only gadopting the suggested tourist route. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with following a well seasoned travelers advice (to this day I still look to the wisdom of travel author Rick Steves for places to inhabit). It’s when we don’t infuse our own intuition and desires and creativity into the journey that we might become less inclined to step out and take risks. Yes," do read more Whitman. He’s my spirit mentor on my own great Big Journey. Thanks for being here and for being such a terrific kindred spirit!
Dear Gerard
Thank you so much for inviting me to your pages. Only a few articles in, and I already know that I will be looking forward to receiving your weekly thoughts and stories of your adventures.
I'm not sure that I have come across the term "spontaneous traveller" before, but I would proudly wear the label if someone wanted to hang it on me!
Nearly 40 years ago, I set off on an epic trip around the world that lasted a whole year. The majority of my time away was spent in Australia, but the route to get there was via the Far East, and returning via New Zealand and United States.
I was a young twentysomething, not at all street-wise, and thought I was the bravest person on the planet. Of course, in reality there were hundreds of others doing the same thing, but we all identified as travellers, not tourists.
Every day was about having plans, making decisions, budgeting etc, but most of all being free as a bird and heading off in any direction that took my fancy. That year was the year I really came of age, and the memories of that time are as clear in my head as if they happened only yesterday. What memories!!
These days, time has been more restrictive and the tourist in me has overtaken the traveller, but only in my quest to see as much as possible in a few weeks. But now that I have finished working, I am definitely looking forward to being more spontaneous and taking advantage of my inquisitive nature again.
Thanks again Gerard, for your friendship and for inspiring me to get out there. It is an absolute pleasure knowing you, and I look forward to some adventures in your company sometime soon ❤ xx