Take a trip

copyright: Sian Wootton

Happy 1st of March everyone and Dydd Gwyl Dewi to any Welsh readers. I have convinced myself all week that today was the last day in February and therefore a good day for my last Love February post but as ever time has eluded me and I have no idea what day it is. But hey ho, here we go!

They say that sometimes a break can be as good as a change, and mostly I agree with this. Travelling or even just visiting somewhere new can be so enlightening and teach you a lot, not just about that place but about life and you may well learn some new things about yourself too.

copyright: Sian Wootton

When I was doing my undergraduate degree I lived at home, having previously been scared off by the horrors of a communal kitchen, but what this allowed me to do was to put my money into doing some exploring. And I have to say I'm glad I did; because during these times I learned more about the world and who I was in it. I learned to broaden my horizons and grow in much needed confidence. Mostly I preferred cities as someone who liked having a lot to do and not staying still too long. However as my life has changed I've learned to enjoy the sun and pure relaxation again. It can be so good for us to just really take some time out from the hussle and bussle. Although that can actually be difficult to do at first.

 From an early age I had learned that the universe doesn't owe you any favours, that you are not guaranteed an easy ride and in return I affirmed that if I wanted happiness then that was partly my responsibility to go looking for it. Making the decision to explore a bit more was very much my taking control of my own happiness. And while I might not have travelled far and wide or to many countries (I know I'm not the backpacking type) my experiences  have still helped to shape me as a person.

Sometimes taking oueselves out of our comfort zones but also without the commitment of living somewhere new can be liberating. And it's great to look back years later and reflect on the memories you made.

copyright: Sian Wootton

Recently my Mum and I went away for a few days to visit family in Brussels (having family abroad can be a great reason to help you visit new places,) and whilst travelling with a disability has it's own hurdles (which I will post more about soon, or you can read more in my travel series) it is still worthwhile. Being in a whole new environment and away from the same 4 walls and daily grind did us both a lot of good. Being in a city again was exciting. However it was more bareable with it being February so not at peak season, which when you are in a chair can be a blessing. Of course there is the joy of different food and in Belgium that definitely meant waffles and chocolate, which in itself made sure I was happy. It was great to visit a place actually I had never thought much about going to and that circumstances had led us towards. And although the purpose of the visit was to visit family getting the opportunity to see some of the sites with people that had researched it well to be able to move their certainly had it's perks. Life really can be what we make of it and I'm really grateful for every smile that crossed my face whilst there.

Copyright: Sian Wootton

Travel can be expensive though and just not be an option for many people who have other commitments and money just won't stretch to a holiday. But you don't have to go abroad to explore. You can stay in your own country. Even stay local. I bet there are lots of places on your doorstep that you have actually never been too. You don't even have to stay overnight, go on a road trip or by train. Break away from your normal routine. Act like a tourist and see the world with fresh eyes. Exploring new places can be great if you feel like you are stuck in a rut and living life in a monotonous routine. You can be as organised or unorganised as you like. Whether you have a clear idea of where you want to go and what you want to do there or whether you decide to jump in the car or train and see where the mood takes you. The great thing about the modern world of course is you can always Google your location and it will show you a number of hotels, restaurants and attractions near you to help you make decisions. Or allow yourself to just wander and explore. No maps, no technology; just fully immersed in a place and what it has to offer. Sometimes that break from technology can be good. Focusing more on whether you are having a good experience and not an 'instagrammable' moment. Perhaps that makes a great motto for travel and 'adventure'. Live it and breathe it. If you learn some valuable lessons along the way too then fantastic.

It can also be a great way to learn more about other people. Having the confidence to travel with someone can mean putting a lot of trust in them too. Personally, I know that there are only so many people I'm comfortable enough to let see me freak out on a plane. But exploring a new place together can make your experience even more fun. Again, whether that's full on travelling or just a road trip. The break from the norm will reveal new things about each other, some good, some maybe not so good; it's certainly a learning curve. As long as you have fun and enjoy the experience, even if bad things happen, just look for those silver linings and go make some fantastic memories.

Where would you love to travel to? Or is favourite place to visit at home or away?

Sian x