The positively selfish traveler
- Dawn Sharifan
- Dec 8, 2021
- 2 min read
The Positively Selfish Traveler is present in the moment, by creating awareness of their desires, needs and commitments, before, during and after their travels. This allows them to drop into full awareness and be truly Positively Selfish. It is said that travel is experienced three times. 1. Planning. 2. Experiencing. 3. Revisiting. Planning: The PS Traveler may want to do the following in the planning stage: Create clarity on why they are traveling
Learn some of the language
Listen to the music of the country or community
Decide if there is a budget and if so, is it strict or a "ball park"
Envision into how they want to feel at the end of the experience
When traveling with others the PS traveler, articulates their needs and speaks their needs and desires
PS Travelers know what budget they have and where they will invest/spend money and where it matters (hotel, AirBnB, hostels, private tours, class of travel) and communicates this to fellow travelers. This may result in discovering others you would like to travel with or envisioned you would travel with might change. These agreements/expectations are expressed and agreed upon with fellow travelers before the trip begins. This can be a creative and fun exercise. Perhaps not everyone does everything together, dates may differ between travelers, or groups uncover in advance that they may not be well suited to travel together and agree to share stories and photos upon return.
Experiencing:
Positive Selfishness might look like supporting businesses that align with your values, how you move through the community (tour buses, local transport, private tours) and the environmental footprint you leave during your travel.
PS Travelers tune in to what wants to happen during the day/trip. This can be accomplished by presencing oneself before heading out for the day, before deeply looking at a piece of art or taking a bite of a local delicacy. It might look like going to Rome and not seeing the Coliseum because the PS traveler knows what they want to get from their travel vs. what the travel guide tells them they should see.
Revisiting:
PS Travelers can experiment with different ways they would like to revisit their travel. Which sense wants to be indulged?
PS Travelers may choose to make photo albums or videos of their trip. Group travelers can decide if they would like to share all photos/videos together so many memories and angles of trip can be seen. PS Travelers know if they have a passion/desire to revisit via photos, or if their memories are sufficient.
PS Travelers may also journal and reflect during the trip. Perhaps before they head out for the day or to revisit at the end of the day. Rereading these entries may be something that brings the PS traveler joy.
Preparing a dish or drinking a special wine, when back home, that takes the PS Traveler back to a special moment.
Lighting a candle with a special scent, or perhaps using a special bath soap can bring memories rushing back.
How ever you choose to travel, you have the opportunity to travel with intention and Positive Selfishness!
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