“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.”
– Lin Yutang
Today my 83-year old aunt asked me, “How do you keep traveling so much? How can you do that?”
I had been pondering that same question and although I don’t agree that I travel that much (I have travel writer friends who are NEVER home), I had come to the conclusion that it was time for a temporary shift in plans.
“I have,” I said (with what can only be described as a bit of a proud swagger in my tone), “…decided I’m not going anywhere before January 1st, 2014.
I sat back in my chair, pleased and self-satisfied with my astonishing and incredible announcement. I decided to add a real capper, “I might not even go anywhere for a while after that.”
Whew! The sacrifice! The commitment! The opportunity for routine!
“That’s it?” (My aunt had her own tone in her voice; a tone that said, big deal missy). But she’s polite, so what she said instead was, “That’s not very long from now…”
Well. It is and it isn’t.
It’s long enough for me to take on a six-week volunteer commitment (starting tomorrow with The Writer’s Exchange). It’s long enough to visit my dad in the home once a week without missing big gaps due to a trip. It’s long enough to book some regular and ongoing walks with friends. It’s long enough to take a winter course or do some art workshops or to set up our new apartment so it doesn’t look so temporary or to really get to know our new neighbourhood or to practise living in one and only one place and who knows what else it’s long enough for…
I love to travel.
And.
I love to be home.
The decision to stay home for the balance of 2013 (That’s right! The rest of the year!!) has helped me feel grounded…in a good way. I have been craving a sense of continuity and community and I recognize that it’s pretty hard to create that if I keep taking off. Ironically, there is the added benefit of feeling a different sort of freedom by virtue of creating a no-fly-zone structure.
So. This might not seem like a very long time to my aunt or other people who are good at staying home…
But for me. This is big. Really big.
That is really big. Sounds exciting. Really. And I love the looks of that writing program for kids. How fun! They shall be blessed to have your participation. Here you go, inspiring more young lives in a completely positive manner.
Thanks Mary. I’m trying to take a page out of your book and get more involved in being at home. I love that you go to your back yard studio and get so involved in making your angels. And yes, had my first morning at the school…whew! Not sure how you teachers ever managed for an entire day of that stuff. Crazy!
My boots are by the door.
Does that mean you’re ready to hike or ready to take my place on a trip?
That’s exciting and what a great idea. I often resolve to stay home ( and get fit, learn how to play the steel drum etc) , and then some crazy amazing press trip comes up and away I go. Do not open your in-basket or let temptation sway you from your goal!
Michele, the fact that you’re in Mexico for day of the dead (and I’m not!) is already killing me.
But in order to make sure I can’t leave, I am painting myself a the routine-corner by committing to several different things. Just came from my first morning of the once-a-week-for-five-weeks elementary school program, I’ve promised my dad I’ll be there every week and I should know soon about a studio rental until the end of this year.
I won’t be able to accept any press trips this way.
It’s crazy how much effort is required to outwit myself 🙂
I love this – I understand the call for a bit of routine, “to book some regular and ongoing walks with friends.” I crave that in my own life, where I feel like each week there’s always something throwing off the opportunity for routine. And it sounds like the balance of 2013 is just enough for you. It will be interesting to see how that feels once you try it on.
Angie, I know what you mean about feeling like, “there’s always something throwing off the opportunity for routine”. What I’m trying to do with this idea is to create a basic structure or framework (a very loose routine), and then practise accepting that the other stuff that inevitably pops up within that IS part of that routine. I’m hoping that little reframing of the issue will make it easier for me to roll with it 🙂
Right now, building that basic tree fort of routine – and staying out of the airport – are my biggest challenges.
Well dear, while you are staying home, I will be traveling. At least, for a little while. I have taken a Tour Specialist job at Adventure Cycling Association in Missoula Montana, and Tom and I will be leaving around Nov. 8 to drive down there. In essence, I am moving, and he is moving back and forth a couple times a year. New adventure begins!!
That is so cool Mandy. Of course, I am immediately jealous and want to go with you! I love Missoula and I LOVE Adventure Cyclist. Say hello to Mike Deme for me 🙂