How to Journal While Traveling
PRO TIP: Bring a journal when you travel!
I often try to bring a journal with me at every place I visit. This gives me a chance to document everything on paper so I don’t forget little details years from now.
Maybe you’re thinking “I’m going to be traveling the whole time, I don’t have time to journal!” and at first I thought this too, but on my first solo journey, I realized the majority of my journaling time was spent on the go or while I waited. I probably did 80% of my writings on trains, airplanes, or waiting in an airport. Sometimes if the friends I would travel with wanted to head in early, I would go to my room and journal before falling asleep.
Maybe you’re thinking “OK but what would I write about?”
I use the same basic tactics for my writing:
How did you get to where you are right in this moment? What gave you the idea to book this trip? Where are you going? What are you most excited to see? What are you bucket list items for this trip? What dishes do you want to try? Where will you be staying? What will you be doing? What is one goal you want to set for yourself on this trip?
Once I write those ideas down.. if I still have time to journal, then I write about the present moment.
What do you see currently? What did you eat and drink today? What sounds do you currently hear? Where are you right now? Who are you currently traveling with?
And on the journey home from exploring a new destination, I ask myself these journal prompts:
Would you like to live at the destination you visited? Why or why not? What do you think living in that destination would be like? What would a normal day be like if you did live there? How are things similar or different from that destination to your home town or current place of residence? Which traditions have you learned here that you would like to bring back home with you? I finish with replaying everything that happened from start to finish on my trip, and I like to highlight one lesson I learned from my trip.
Journaling may feel difficult and bothersome at first.. but it is so helpful to reflect years later when you’re wanting to look back and experience all those wonderful memories again!
PROTIP: If you find yourself needing to use the internet, go to the restroom, or take a break while traveling...
Stop in a McDonald's or Starbucks! These places tend to have free wifi and are easy to grab something cheap while also resting before a flight or train where it may be hard to find a place to rest or stall while waiting for your departure.
