Six Ways To Travel With Kindness
When traveling, we are opened up to many new possibilities. Our senses perceive new sights, sounds, smells and tastes, which can be a gratifying experience. We might also find things that are way outside of our comfort zone to experience. The purpose of this article, however, is to explore how adding a component of kindness to our adventures can benefit us in yet another way.
It isn’t always easy to repay the places that provide so much enjoyment – but it’s essential to try. This article offers six suggestions on how to give back when traveling.
Out Wandering How To Travel And Pay Forward Kindness
By wandering and traveling to diverse destinations, we automatically receive countless benefits. We can learn from each journey, make new friends and form lasting memories.
Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.
Including Kindness In Travel
Hey there, fellow human beings. I am so glad you are here!
When traveling, it’s a good idea to have an open mind to as many new possibilities as possible. We will encounter experiences that are way outside of our comfort zones. As our senses perceive new sights, sounds, smells and tastes, each of those little things will make way for a more gratifying experience.
Embark on a journey of kindness with these six inspiring ways to travel.
Support Local
Our adventure starts long before we board the plane, enter the bus station, or drive to the train station. A lot of money goes into planning for a vacation or trip. I’d like to give you a little help in also being a kind stranger.
The best way to positively impact the places we visit is to do a little research on local businesses in the areas we will be traveling to before we go. This ensures the money we spend there stays in the community and directly benefits the local restaurants and small businesses.
After you’ve found the perfect destination and flight deal, spend at least as much time discovering local a hotel room, services, experiences, and other activities that will support the local economy on your trip. You might even hire a tour guide to show you around.
Just imagine the wonderful time that would bring!
Give More By Taking Less
As guests in another place, we can always give back by taking less. Be mindful of water and electricity consumption, particularly when traveling in areas of drought and limited resources, for example.
Another way is to be genuinely curious about the local culture, beliefs, resources, and language. Cultivate respect and lasting positive impressions by performing the following common sense items:
- Read up on cultural customs and learn a few phrases in the local language.
- Set expectations and opinions aside and sit with local people, hearing their stories.
- Ask questions about traditions that are held sacred, participating when possible.
- Request permission before taking their photo; show them and offer to send them a copy instead of just taking pictures.
Doing these important things goes a long way toward building long time cultural bridges.
Out Wandering Note:
On a recent yoga retreat to The Goddess Garden, Costa Rica, I found the packing list strange when I read, “Don’t bother to bring a hair dryer.”
What made me pause is, well, I neeeeed one. So I asked more questions about it and found that in other countries, especially in rural areas, electricity can be sketchy, and hair dryers pull a lot of it.
The point I am trying to make, however, is if I am going to be a good steward in another country, what I really neeeeed to do is give more and take less.
Give Back By Remaining Open
The way we approach a new location is essential. The people who live in the places we travel to have untold knowledge and skills.
Instead of thinking we need to fix their problems, keep in mind everything we can learn if we remain open to their cultural ways and exchange ideas with a beginner’s mind. By listening, observing, and learning from our new friends, the good news is we will better share skills, stories, and fun.
Create Magic
Traveling to new places should be more than just getting there, having drinks, eating exotic meals, and taking photos. Instead, go slow, smile and take advantage of every first time opportunity along the way. Taking a little time to dive deeper and connect with the people and situations surrounding us will open doors to unexpected opportunities.
And, when we travel this way, who knows what will happen? A creative act may ensue. We might meet someone along the way who points us in the direction of a local artisan whom we take a lesson from or a master chef who teaches us to cook a regional dish.
We may be introduced to a situation where we can volunteer, perhaps at a local animal shelter or other nonprofit organization. Or where the local musicians perform authentic, local music. The bottom line is when we are curious, that’s where the magic happens.
Stop, Slow Down and Please, Look Around
While traveling, our main objective shouldn’t be collecting “likes” on social media. Also, it’s a great idea to try to avoid getting too wrapped up in accomplishing everything on your bucket list for that trip.
Instead, pay attention and experience every organic discovery and authentic adventure. Take a deep breath. Stop, slow down, and please, take a lot of time to look around you. Some of the best places you will visit while traveling are those right in front of you.
It’s a great thing to take a few photos, then have the good sense to put away the phone and camera and take in the scene. Travel is much more than what is seen on social media.
By being present, we also won’t miss an opportunity to travel with kindness. Meeting extraordinary people along the way is just part of the experience when we do.
Out Wandering Note:
So, making images is my jam, my thing, and something I LOVE to do. Additionally, it is essential to stop, slow down and look around.
Managing my photography time is a work in progress for me while I am out wandering. To help with this, I am intentional each day to understand what photos I will need to make for a creative project, article or blog post.
Pay It Forward
Traveling with kindness also gives us a chance to contribute positively even after we’ve returned home.
While traveling, we may notice groups, businesses, projects and people we could help. The love can continue after we return home, too. We can share our experiences with friends and family, give a shout-out on our website and social media, or write a newsletter about them and the experience we just had, for example.
When posting a photo on Instagram, be an influencer by adding details to help others find and support that person, business, neighborhood, or small town.
By sharing our experiences and stories, we get to pay it forward and introduce other travelers who rely on recommendations from those who went before them to the experiences that impacted our journey.
Traveling with kindness along our journeys opens up new experiences and is very fulfilling. By paying attention to the details of daily life in our surroundings and getting to know more about those beautiful people we meet, we bring back more than just memories. Who knows, we may create a life-long friend or make it a better place.
Live happier. Explore more of the world around you. It’s the only way to grow.
~Kirsti Out Wandering
I love stories like this. In December 202, a Dairy Queen customer in Minnesota sparked a community to give back. Read it here: Random Acts of Kindness Day sparks a 2-day ‘pay it forward’ chain at Dairy Queen in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Kirsti, these are brilliant ideas and are really important! If everyone did. a few of. these when travelling and in day to day, it’d make a big difference!
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you Bea Adventurous! 🙂