Ah, eternal winter. If there’s one thing that can crush a girl’s spirit, it’s probably just that. Of course spring will come around again soon, but sometimes it can be tough to entertain a sense of hope, much less wanderlust, during those days when you have to battle tundra just to get to class.
Still, subzero temps are no match for imagination. On those days where you‘re stuck indoors dreaming of sun, there are plenty of ways to spark up your inner sense of wanderlust.
Plan your next adventure
Even if you don’t know when you’ll actually go, there is no harm in daydreaming. Research places you’ve always wanted to visit. Where is the world’s best coffee shop? What about the best hiking trail for fall?
Meet up with a fellow adventurer
There’s nothing like reminiscing on past trips. Sometimes we need to be reminded of why we love traveling so much, and no one can refresh our memory like those who share that affinity for new places.
Look at maps
Maybe this isn’t for everyone, but if you’re like me, you can waste away hours exploring a map. If you want to go everywhere, you’re not alone.
Mementos, mementos
All those photographs, maps, tickets and brochures can lend themselves to an entertaining afternoon, not to mention some serious creativity if you’re feeling crafty.
Here are some unusual artifacts to collect next time
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Candy wrappers
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Colorful newspaper advertisements
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Bottle labels
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Napkins from cafes and restaurants
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Magazine cutouts
Don’t dismiss the staycation
While you are waiting to catch your next flight, try kick-starting an adventure where you’re at. Say, you’re heading to Mexico with your girlfriends this summer. Head to a cantina to laugh and get excited over chips and salsa.
Listen to your adventure playlist
Music keeps us all going, so curate a set of songs that reflect your love of travel.
Here are a few of my favorites if you need them:
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“Sleep on the floor”- the Lumineers
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“Hard Sun”- Eddie Vedder
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“Snow (Hey Oh)”- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
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“Lost in the Light”- the Bahamas
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“Dreams”- Fleetwood Mac
Write in (or start) a travel journal
This is a great pastime for those days when your stuck indoors. If you already have a journal, waste away a couple hours musing over past adventures.
If you’ve yet to start one, you don’t have to wait until you’re traveling to start. Write down little prompts in your journal. Say you’re traveling to Italy next semester and you’re wondering where you’ll find the best pasta, a very important question, write it down! Months later, when you can answer, it will be like having a conversation between two time frames.
There you have it; happy traveling, happy dreaming, happy writing. As always, hang on for the ride.