Six positives a pandemic has on travel
I don’t know about y’all, but these past few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. Somedays I’m literally happy, sad, anxious all within a few hours. Keeping calm in this time of quarantine has been filled with CBD waters, phone calls with friends, and outdoor walks. Uncertainty is a big anxiety trigger for me, but I’m learning to just take each day as it comes.
I have always been an anxious person, but never deemed myself to have “anxiety.” It wasn’t until last year on a trip with my mom in Belgium that we discussed how when I’m traveling I am anxiety free, which is odd since most would say they are stressed when traveling abroad. When we got home, I started to notice some habits I had that weren’t your textbooks “anxiety attacks”….like over scheduling myself, overindulgence of foods, and irritability towards others. I’ve even stressed myself out to the point of rashes and other health issues. But not many would notice my anxiety if I didn’t mention it. What I’m saying is, we’re ALL fighting internal battles. Let’s be gentle to ourselves and others.
And what better week to talk about mental health and staying positive than Mental Health Awareness week. I have begun to find ways to help me with my anxiety and seeking help is not something to be ashamed about! Just know there are ways to manage and cope, and please don’t be afraid to reach out to others for support.
So, to keep things light and positive, here are six silver linings of this covid 19 pandemic-
Middle seats going away! (Maybe)
We will miss you or your inconvenience, and your cheap costs to get to a destination. NOT. Although this one is not certain to happen, airlines are leaving middle seats open right now for social distancing and I’m happy to have the extra room. I hope we keep this for a while.
Booking cancellation & change fees being better
For many airlines right now, they are eliminating their cancellation and change fees for an extended period of time. American Airlines for instance if you book before May 31st, you can cancel or change any flights booked through the end of the year.
Learning how to make dishes from other countries
So a goal during quarantine I had was to learn to cook more recipes, specifically healthy twists on some of my favorites. We as a family had been craving fried rice, so I found a recipe for fried cauliflower rice. And let me tell you, it was GOOD. Not as good as the real deal, but great for those cravings when I’m trying to get in my veggies. Even my dad kept asking “is this really not rice??" It’s fun to learn how to make new dishes from other countries. Maybe take the time to make handmade pasta? Or maybe just get Indian takeout if you don’t want to cook….haha. Just Keep exploring with those taste buds
Reduction in air pollution
In India, they can see the Himalayan mountains again. In Venice, the water hasn’t been this clear in decades. And in Florida alone, there has been a 30% reduction CO2 omissions. It’s beautiful watching earth get this time to heal.
Taking the time to slow down
As a traveler, I can be quite chaotic. I love to keep up a quick pace, seeing as much as I can in a short period of time. Usually I need a vacation from my vacation! Even in daily life, I tend to be a go, go, GO kind of person. During this pandemic, I have found myself taking the time on walks to observe the birds flying over the lake, noticing the blooming trees, and just taking deeper breaths. I hope we can all continue to slow down and really take in the experiences when we travel again.
Appreciating the beauty of this life
If there’s anything I’ve gained from this time of quarantine, it’s knowing that traveling is a privilege that can be taken away at any minute. So go when you can! Stop putting off seeing this beautiful world. When it is free to do so again, I will be exploring every inch of this earth with wider eyes and an open heart.
Sincerely,
Sarah
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