So beautifully written. My favorite line is "The questions of what can stay in your life, what can go, what can be refined, and what can be added are all cleared up upon return from travel." It's so true. Travel is life inspiring. I love that travel also makes me want to continue to focus my efforts on a minimalist lifestyle and spend my money on experiences over materialistic items.
Thanks for the comment! And I am right there with you Carly. This year I am trying to focus on what I can subtract from my life in order to add more value. Less time on social media and watching television (especially the news) are always top of the list. Are there any other things you would suggest?
Saying no more often in both professional and personal if I do not have the time. This way I protect my energy for things I want to see or do more of. Agree on social media and TV. We have not have cable for years and do not miss it at all.
Thanks for the comment, Kyle. You are definitely onto something there that reminds me of the growth equation as Brad Stulberg calls it: STRESS + REST = GROWTH.
In other words, challenge yourself just enough beyond your current comfort zone, reflect on the experience and incorporate its lessons, get a little better, and then prepare yourself for the next challenge.
Absolutely. I read a lot about neuroscience and human behavior in my spare time and there is evidence that a 15% “failure rate” (or in this case, rate of discomfort) is optimal to open up neuroplasticity , or the brains ability to change itself.
So beautifully written. My favorite line is "The questions of what can stay in your life, what can go, what can be refined, and what can be added are all cleared up upon return from travel." It's so true. Travel is life inspiring. I love that travel also makes me want to continue to focus my efforts on a minimalist lifestyle and spend my money on experiences over materialistic items.
Thanks for the comment! And I am right there with you Carly. This year I am trying to focus on what I can subtract from my life in order to add more value. Less time on social media and watching television (especially the news) are always top of the list. Are there any other things you would suggest?
Saying no more often in both professional and personal if I do not have the time. This way I protect my energy for things I want to see or do more of. Agree on social media and TV. We have not have cable for years and do not miss it at all.
The “more foreign, more profound” comment is spot on. We must keep ourselves off-balance and forced to adapt in order to change ourselves.
Thanks for the comment, Kyle. You are definitely onto something there that reminds me of the growth equation as Brad Stulberg calls it: STRESS + REST = GROWTH.
In other words, challenge yourself just enough beyond your current comfort zone, reflect on the experience and incorporate its lessons, get a little better, and then prepare yourself for the next challenge.
Absolutely. I read a lot about neuroscience and human behavior in my spare time and there is evidence that a 15% “failure rate” (or in this case, rate of discomfort) is optimal to open up neuroplasticity , or the brains ability to change itself.