How to Be a Mindful Traveller
janaline's world journey

Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller

I am sure that your first thought upon hearing mindful + travel joined together is that its about being hyper-conscious and conscientious about each and every little detail of everything you’re doing when you’re on vacation or out there one the road. But that is not what I mean.

I believe that travelling is not just about capturing the perfect Instagram picture, or sharing our every moment on Facebook. Before social media we travelled differently. Of course we had our cameras and captured moments, but these moments were for ourselves, they were treasured memories not staged photographs to please our followers and gain more likes.

Me with the beautiful magnolia blossoms
Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller

These days it is hard to escape the feeling that everyone is travelling and perhaps we are missing out. And that maybe travel has become more shallow than before. Is travelling really only about becoming famous on social media? Or making your Facebook friends jealous? Now more than ever, we need to take time to think about how we can be a mindful traveller, an admirer of earth. How can we get back to a more simple way of travel, like we enjoyed before Instagram and social media changed the way we travelled?

Beautiful Magnolia blossoms in Shanghai
It is Springtime in Shanghai!!

1. Take Your Time

Don’t rush. If everything you do and everywhere you go is rushed because you’re in a new place and want to see everything, chances are you won’t actually see anything. Take a deep breath and think about what you actually want to get out of the experience.

Do you want to see everything as fast as you can? Or do you want to have real and meaningful experiences in this new place, build relationships with people, and create memories?

Take three conscious breaths and stop dead in your tracks long enough to notice where you actually are. Take your time to prioritize your own awareness and realize the significance of each place.

Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller
Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller

2.Feel Each Step

Your body always exists in the present moment, whereas your brain can travel far from where you are. If you’re walking, notice each foot as it touches the ground, lifts and swings.

Notice the feel of the air on your skin. No need to make a big deal of it. Just enjoy the sensuality of being in your body. This awareness will help you remember how you actually felt as you travelled through a distant land, a new place, and a new culture.

Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller
Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller

3.Savour Each Moment

Eating? Taste your food. Hiking? Breathe in the fresh mountain air. Talking with a local? Really listen to them and remember what they say. Looking at beautiful sites, landscapes, and world wonders? Don’t think of it as only something to capture for Instagram or to share on Facebook.  Immerse yourself in the moment, and remember it.

Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller
Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller
Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller

4.Get Local

Don’t forget why you travel. To experience something new! The ability to go to a new place and remove yourself from your own cultural upbringing and constraints is a perfect way to practice acute awareness. Notice the subtle differences and embrace them. 

Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller
Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller

5. Relax and Rest

Put away those devices for awhile and have some time that is not governed by schedules, deadlines, and the latest news and information. Drink in something that is timeless and simply cannot be captured on a screen.

Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller
Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller


“One of the most powerful things you can do when you’re travelling is to let go and passionately wander. “

Tips on how to be a Mindful Traveller
Beauty in the middle of the busy city
  • How to Be a Mindful Traveller
  • How to Be a Mindful Traveller
  • How to Be a Mindful Traveller

28 comments

  1. I agree – my good lady often says we are tourists but I say we are visitors – we’ve come to see the local life, including the back alleys and off the beaten track non touristy spots – not just to take a few picture to share on social media! Happy travelling!! 😁😁😁

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  2. Beautiful post and very well said. You have just hit the nail on its head. Travel has become more of a perfect photo exercise than a whole experience of journey. Thank you so much for your wonderful post. I love travelling with your blogs and photos

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  3. Hi there! Wanna come to Italy one day? We are an italian language school and offer different kind of courses. Take a look on our blog and don’t miss the chance for such an amazing time here in bella Firenze! 🙂

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  5. I wish more people were like you and think like you. I’m so tired of the all the same Instagram and Facebook travel posts, it isn’t even funny, like all “instatravelers” have the same shots from the same places.

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    • Thank you so much Isabella!! I have found that Shanghai has made me more peaceful and mindful about the way I travel and just spend my time. It is crazy to see how attached people are to their phones and technology over here. So I now try conciously to spend less time online, on my phone or even taking photos, trying to enjoy the moment and just be there. Hope you have a fabulous week!!

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