Traveling Is Self Care: How Getting Back to Travel Helped Me Find Myself Again
My London Trip With My Mom & Grandmothers Reminded Me That Sometimes Getting Back To The Things You Love Is About More Than The Destination
This post is a little overdue because this trip actually happened back in May. But sometimes you need a little time to process an experience before you can put it into words, and I think I finally have the words now. Plus life has been lifeing
If you know me, you know traveling is essential to my life. I love taking a trip, whether it’s by myself, with my family, or even with my friends. I’m not even picky about the length of the trip. I love a quick turnaround just as much as I love a long week away.
Once upon a time, I was on a plane almost every weekend, taking international trips at least once a quarter. But when I moved, everything changed. I went from living at home with my parents for free to moving to another state and paying big girl bills. Then, on top of that, life started lifeing, and different transitions changed my income in ways I never expected.
My traveling was cut back.
I’m blessed to be part of a family where traveling is essential to us, at least twice a year, so although it slowed down, my traveling never completely stopped. The trips became more domestic, and international travel went from several times a year to about once a year.
But I missed it.
I missed getting on a plane, planning trips, experiencing new places, and having something to look forward to. Traveling has always been one of the ways I enjoy life, so being in a season where I couldn’t do it as much as I wanted to for almost two years was getting to me.
I Prayed to Get Back to Traveling
One of the things I prayed hard about at the beginning of this year was getting back to traveling.
I’m not a fan of vision boards, but this year I was encouraged to make a prayer board. Against my own wishes, I did it. And travel was all over it.
God has truly answered that prayer.
This year, I was blessed to start off strong. My income hadn’t fully transitioned into the place I wanted it to be, but God blessed me with different streams to supplement it. On top of that, my family covered some of the trips we took together.
I have already been blessed to travel domestically over six times times and internationally twice. I don’t say that to brag. I say it because I know where I was for the last a couple of years ago, and I know that this is an answered prayer.
To see myself getting back to something I love brings tears to my eyes. Not because everything is perfect or because I’m completely back to where I was, but because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
And London was one of the biggest reminders of that.
London With My Mom & Grandmothers
One of my favorite trips of all time was London in May.
The trip was for Mother’s Day, and it honestly ended up being one of my top five trips I’ve ever taken.
Part of that was London itself. The beauty, the history, the culture, the architecture, the people, it all had me in awe. There was something so special about being somewhere with so much history and getting to experience a culture different from what I’m used to.
But what made London so special was who I got to experience it with. My mom and both of my grandmothers. It was the perfect Mother’s Day getaway.
Watching them explore this beautiful country, experience new things, and see things for the first time brought me so much joy. There’s something special about being able to create memories with the people who helped create so many memories for you.
And that trip reminded me that I’m truly rich. Not because I was able to fly priority, experience airport lounges, shop, stay in beautiful hotels, or travel internationally.
I’m rich because I was able to experience this. I got to experience London with my mom and both of my grandmothers. I got to watch them explore. I got to laugh with them, shop with them, eat with them, and create memories that I know I’ll cherish forever.
Everything else was just the icing on top.
A Little London Recap
Of course, I documented the trip because there was no way I was going to experience all of that and not have the footage to look back on.
We stayed at the beautiful Sea Containers London, spent a night in New York, flew Virgin Atlantic, which is my favorite, and explored so much of the city.
We found some really cute pieces while shopping, visited Buckingham Palace, explored some of the classic tourist attractions, and even went to the movie theater to watch The Devil Wears Prada 2.
One of the unexpected highlights was meeting my friend Jem, who is from Jamaica but had lived in London for years and was actually moving to Canada this year. It was such a cool connection to make while traveling.
She also has a YouTube channel, so definitely check her out. (CLICK HERE)
There was so much more to the trip, but those are some of the moments that made London so memorable for me.
And, of course, I had to document it all. The full video recapping will be coming THIS FRIDAY.
And I’m Not Stopping Here
The best part is that London wasn’t the end of my travel season.
Since that trip in May, I’ve already been blessed to take three more trips. And God willing, I’m not stopping.
I’m still getting back to the version of myself who gets excited about booking a flight, planning an itinerary, putting together my outfits, and experiencing somewhere new.
I’m not saying I’m back to exactly where I was before. I don’t think I need to be. I’m just grateful to be moving forward.
Sometimes getting back to the things you love happens slowly. Sometimes it looks different than it used to. And sometimes you have to wait for it.
But when you finally get to experience something you prayed for, you realize the waiting made you appreciate it even more.
London was more than a trip for me. It was a reminder that God hears me. A reminder that life is meant to be experienced. And a reminder that I’m rich because I get to experience it with people I love.
I’m getting back to traveling. And I couldn’t be more grateful.
