I get this completely Marie! I was travelling for four months earlier this year and it was amazing. Never felt the need to be anywhere, and life just flowed without looking at the clock or without an agenda. Now I’m back home I feel like I need to be in a certain routine and should be doing ‘x’ at ‘y’ time. This is not the way to live. One thing I’ve tried to do is imagine I have all the time in the world. Don’t be on a schedule, make time for all the things you want, and do your best to be present. Since I’ve slowed down and realised I can control time and make as much of it as I want, it’s been a bit easier to live in the present.
Regarding your want to travel again, just do it, make it work and bring your dog with you. If you really want it, you’ll find a way to overcome the obstacles in your way.
Hey Marie! First time reader that found you in notes (your article from Feb 2025 where you give the brutal truth about writing on Substack).
I REALLY understand how travel can inspire. I'm location-independent (a fancy way of saying I'm a nomad, since I don't own an RV). I also understand your desire to have "home". For me personally, I've had to spend a lot of time redefining my own definition of home.
I can also resonate with your creative side and how sometimes escape can be disguised as those productive, busy tasks that keep us from doing that one thing we love - creation. It's such a balance.
Not coming over here with advice, but to be a witness to today's post!
Thanks for sharing with us, and I look forward to following your journey!
"When I came home, everything was back to baseline. It’s the same when I have a fantastic weekend away with friends, or a night out, or when on a date." - I find this to be super accurate, Marie! I feel the same. I think it’s less about chasing the highs (followed by the inevitable lows) than to have a higher on average baseline of happiness. I’m still learning this as well! 💛💛
I’m totally trying to accept the highs and the lows. Shaking it up a bit helps, doesn’t it? I am going to try writing in the really funky coffee shop I found, every Thursday morning starting this week.
Practicing being in the NOW is challenging (for me included). but it is rewarding. Acceptance and being at peace with it makes it so not escape is needed.
There is always an easy solution Marie. :-) Notice the resistance and do it anyway. I get the same thing too. You really want to do something you love doing but something holds you back.
I am the same, I swear. Also, when there is too much going on that I need to deal with and solve and things don't seem to be moving on, everything feels stuck and out of control, all I want to do is pack some stuff and get away at least for a few days and just walk, hike, rest, stay away from the real world. Ideally go somewhere where I can't even access internet and the signal is scarce so nothing and no one can chase me down, like there is a doors hard shut between me and all the problems. But there is the dread of coming back home, or at least the awareness that it is a temporary escape and I will have to face again everything and cannot escape it.
Living in a moment and taking things as they come is so important, I would say fundamental but also extremely hard. Thriving when bored, worried, tired or uninspired, or when sh*t is hitting the fan again and again is something I need to learn and work on, but I can imagine it is freeing and likely necessary unless we are planning to drag ourselves to madness or burnout.
Yes! Traveling always brings on the creativity! It doesn’t even seem to matter if it’s a place I’ve visited many times or a brand new location. Fascinating that so many experience this too!
Some people just are nomads, they always want to be on the road and discover new places. I think society has, for some reason, trained us to think that this is somehow bad but think about: if we didn't have those people who discovered new places, then humanity wouldn't be where it is right now. So if you're heart is calling you to be on the road and explore, then what could happen or go wrong if you just allow yourself to do that?
I just recently found you through notes & feeling like you’re reflecting back to me just like a mirror!
I moved to London a year ago & absolutely loved travelling Europe for the first six months. And then…I just wanted to be still, to be a homebody. But with that came the crippling anxiety and self-criticism about not being productive…the usual.
I’m just slowly emerging from my sabbatical and it looks nothing like I imagined, but equally I’m finding myself at peace with how it’s unfolding. Recently joining Substack and penning my thoughts has been a powerful way for me to come back to myself.
Love the honesty Marie. There’s something to be said for getting out into the world to spark creativity! Maybe hang a different poster up of somewhere you love in the world in front of where you write each month.,😉
I get this completely Marie! I was travelling for four months earlier this year and it was amazing. Never felt the need to be anywhere, and life just flowed without looking at the clock or without an agenda. Now I’m back home I feel like I need to be in a certain routine and should be doing ‘x’ at ‘y’ time. This is not the way to live. One thing I’ve tried to do is imagine I have all the time in the world. Don’t be on a schedule, make time for all the things you want, and do your best to be present. Since I’ve slowed down and realised I can control time and make as much of it as I want, it’s been a bit easier to live in the present.
Regarding your want to travel again, just do it, make it work and bring your dog with you. If you really want it, you’ll find a way to overcome the obstacles in your way.
Good luck, and hope you’re doing well!
Grazie Stefano! That's such a great tip! I will definitely start using it. I will travel again soon. 😁 Hope you are also doing well. Ciao!
Ciao Marie, non ti preoccupare, spero che stai bene e mantieniti la testa alta!
Hey Marie! First time reader that found you in notes (your article from Feb 2025 where you give the brutal truth about writing on Substack).
I REALLY understand how travel can inspire. I'm location-independent (a fancy way of saying I'm a nomad, since I don't own an RV). I also understand your desire to have "home". For me personally, I've had to spend a lot of time redefining my own definition of home.
I can also resonate with your creative side and how sometimes escape can be disguised as those productive, busy tasks that keep us from doing that one thing we love - creation. It's such a balance.
Not coming over here with advice, but to be a witness to today's post!
Thanks for sharing with us, and I look forward to following your journey!
Hi Christine!! Welcome 😁 and thank you for sharing and thank you for following along 🧡
One famous guy once sang:
Well, it really don't matter much where you are
'Cause home is in your heart
It's a feeling that you wake with one day
What do you think?
Well, ain't that the truth!
Wanna know what he sings next? You’ll like it.
Some people keep running all their life
And still find they haven't gone too far
They don't see it's the feeling inside
Good morning 🌞
How true,,,
"When I came home, everything was back to baseline. It’s the same when I have a fantastic weekend away with friends, or a night out, or when on a date." - I find this to be super accurate, Marie! I feel the same. I think it’s less about chasing the highs (followed by the inevitable lows) than to have a higher on average baseline of happiness. I’m still learning this as well! 💛💛
Yep. It ain't easy doing nothing 😉
Nope certainly not 😅
I’m totally trying to accept the highs and the lows. Shaking it up a bit helps, doesn’t it? I am going to try writing in the really funky coffee shop I found, every Thursday morning starting this week.
Ooh that's a great idea! Yeah, I should switch environment more too... But then I always find an excuse not to!
Practicing being in the NOW is challenging (for me included). but it is rewarding. Acceptance and being at peace with it makes it so not escape is needed.
Soo true Colette!! Thank you 🙏
There is always an easy solution Marie. :-) Notice the resistance and do it anyway. I get the same thing too. You really want to do something you love doing but something holds you back.
Weird eh? Thanks Colin! 🧡
Yes, it’s actually annoying… I’m doing some work on myself to find out what it is and help me push through…
I am the same, I swear. Also, when there is too much going on that I need to deal with and solve and things don't seem to be moving on, everything feels stuck and out of control, all I want to do is pack some stuff and get away at least for a few days and just walk, hike, rest, stay away from the real world. Ideally go somewhere where I can't even access internet and the signal is scarce so nothing and no one can chase me down, like there is a doors hard shut between me and all the problems. But there is the dread of coming back home, or at least the awareness that it is a temporary escape and I will have to face again everything and cannot escape it.
Living in a moment and taking things as they come is so important, I would say fundamental but also extremely hard. Thriving when bored, worried, tired or uninspired, or when sh*t is hitting the fan again and again is something I need to learn and work on, but I can imagine it is freeing and likely necessary unless we are planning to drag ourselves to madness or burnout.
Yes! Traveling always brings on the creativity! It doesn’t even seem to matter if it’s a place I’ve visited many times or a brand new location. Fascinating that so many experience this too!
Some people just are nomads, they always want to be on the road and discover new places. I think society has, for some reason, trained us to think that this is somehow bad but think about: if we didn't have those people who discovered new places, then humanity wouldn't be where it is right now. So if you're heart is calling you to be on the road and explore, then what could happen or go wrong if you just allow yourself to do that?
I just recently found you through notes & feeling like you’re reflecting back to me just like a mirror!
I moved to London a year ago & absolutely loved travelling Europe for the first six months. And then…I just wanted to be still, to be a homebody. But with that came the crippling anxiety and self-criticism about not being productive…the usual.
I’m just slowly emerging from my sabbatical and it looks nothing like I imagined, but equally I’m finding myself at peace with how it’s unfolding. Recently joining Substack and penning my thoughts has been a powerful way for me to come back to myself.
Excited to connect on here with you!
Love the honesty Marie. There’s something to be said for getting out into the world to spark creativity! Maybe hang a different poster up of somewhere you love in the world in front of where you write each month.,😉