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- Adopting a traveler’s mindset in your own locality involves engaging with daily activities with conscious purpose and a sense of exploration.
- Discovering local sites, events, and dining establishments as if you were a visitor can provide you with a fresh perspective on your own community.
- Embracing the concept of psychogeography promotes local discovery and appreciating the marvels in the ordinary.
Nothing compares to travel for broadening your horizons.
It introduces you to new individuals, locations, and experiences that can leave an enduring impact long after your journey concludes.
“However, a significant experience does not always need to be something distant and completely foreign,” stated Dr. Andrew Stevenson, a Psychology professor at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK. He is the author of “The Psychology of Travel.“
You can discover enriching experiences anywhere, including your own locality, when you approach it with the same mindset as travel. Here’s how.
Think like a traveler
When at home, it’s simple for your environment to feel constricted by repetitive daily routines. Part of what makes travel appealing is venturing somewhere new or at least different.
“There’s an element of exploration, and even everyday occurrences can become intriguing or exhilarating, which also aids in creating lasting memories,” remarked Dr. Stephen Pratt, chair and professor at the Department of Tourism, Events, Entertainment, and Attractions at the University of Central Florida. He co-manages the YouTube channel Travel Professors. “Choices as simple as what to have for breakfast or lunch turn into deliberate decisions instead of mindless habits.”
Given that travel is inherently finite, travelers often attempt to maximize their time at a destination; however, this level of intentionality can equally be exercised at home.
“Many times, we think, ‘we’ll do it later’—whether it’s visiting that restaurant or exploring that attraction. We feel like we have limitless time,” he stated. “However, if we consciously strive to shift our mindset and plan visits to local sites, we can view our homes in an entirely new perspective.”
What to do
“Engaging in the activity of acting like a traveler within your own city can be quite fascinating,” Stevenson noted.
Here’s how to discover events and experiences in your vicinity:
- Visit your city’s tourism board website for local attractions and forthcoming events. These aren’t solely for tourists.
- Explore by city on Pinterest. The organization informs USA TODAY that numerous users begin with broad travel concepts, seeking inspiration on destinations and activities before refining their itineraries.
- Look up your city on Tripadvisor and sort by “Things to Do” and “Restaurants.”
- Utilize Facebook’s Events feature to uncover activities near you.
- Search “Things to do near me” on Google or your preferred search platform.
- Inquire with ChatGPT or your chosen AI tool about activities in your city, but consider suggestions with caution, as they may not always be practical.
“Relatively speaking, many individuals are quite unaware of numerous attractions within 50 miles of where they reside,” Stevenson stated. “You can maintain a sense of amazement and exploration, even regarding places that are relatively nearby.”
Perhaps it’s a neighborhood you’ve never really explored or a cuisine you’ve never tasted, or maybe a cultural celebration honoring a heritage different from yours. It doesn’t have to be expensive.
“You can organize your own picnics and enjoy various activities, like if it’s market day or a free concert or community gathering. I believe there are fantastic, budget-friendly options that can transport you away from the everyday,” Pratt remarked.
What’s old is new
You might explore locations you haven’t visited in ages.
“If you visited there as a child, it will be a completely different experience when you return as an adult,” Pratt noted. “I’m referring to attractions such as museums or educational sites that can sometimes feel tedious as a child… but when you consciously choose to go back, you appreciate it much more and notice many small details you might not have recalled.”
This applies universally. Stevenson elaborated on the 20th century French concept of psychogeography that suggests traveling the same route twice never brings about identical experiences, as numerous variables are perpetually in flux. Essentially, it’s about the journey rather than the destination. It promotes traveling nearby, slowly, and in a detailed manner.
“The counter to that is flying long distances to destinations customized for those making such long journeys, making them almost resemble places you’re familiar with,” he explained. “Many travel hotspots have been somewhat standardized, haven’t they, to provide comfort to travelers and discourage them from exploring beyond their comfort zones.”
What not to do
Pratt recommends venturing beyond that comfort zone locally about once a month.
“It’s truly impractical to do so weekly or every weekend,” he stated, but it necessitates some dedication. “Otherwise, as I mentioned, we fall into our usual routines on the weekends, like sleeping in and such. We still have household chores, of course, but you still need to plan and allocate time for this, so I think it’s a mindset issue.”
A mindset of receptiveness is equally significant as you embark on these new experiences.
“We often feel compelled to evaluate every experience on a scale from five stars to one star,” Stevenson stated. “In fact, the mindful traveler is encouraged to interact with their surroundings but refrain from deciding if it’s good or bad, as we all understand that every place has something intriguing to offer.”
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