Introduction
It’s very easy to become stagnant in familiar surroundings. Exploring untrodden places is a great way to introduce new energy into your life. Travel often ignites a journey of personal growth that’s driven by curiosity and the desire to immerse yourself in new environments. Unlike the repetitive rhythm of everyday life, novel experiences invite us to feel more alive by capturing our attention and inspiring interest in the world around us.
And the truth is, you don’t always need to travel far distances to open yourself up to this kind of discovery.
Have you ever thought about how many roads you’ve never traveled down right in your own backyard? I always have…. because they offer just as much opportunity for adventure. I really leaned into the concept of taking the long way home and seeing what’s on the road less traveled as an escape during the pandemic.
Being with your thoughts, and your favorite music in a moving vehicle is self-care, too! And I highly recommend it… Especially if you commit to making that time special!
Romanticize a little car adventure for the day or even just an hour or two. Seek out a new experience with the same enthusiasm you would if you were on vacation. It doesn’t have to be earth shattering, just something you don’t normally do. It can be as simple as having a cup of coffee in an unfamiliar cafe you happen to pass on the side of the road or driving out of the way to see something that piques your curiosity. (I once drove to a junk yard in the suburbs of Philly just to see a discarded Futuro House!)
Just do one small thing that disrupts your routine.
Explore that road you usually drive past. Take a walk on a charming street. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the park. Visit historic sites, or longstanding ruins, or gardens. Whatever is available near you. You’ll start to connect deeply with the place you live and the places you visit with each small step you take outside of your comfort zone.
Be spontaneous and take random drives to sit someplace different to soak in a new perspective, even if it’s just for a short while. When you do something out of the ordinary, no matter how small, you may find something to spark more self-discovery and wonder into your day.
I’ll be curating this space as a Car Journal. I hope you come along for the ride.
Sometimes the stories will be quirky, other times more predictable. Photos will come from both recent outings and years past. Some destinations will be well-known, while others may be hidden gems, or just random sights from the side of the road. This is simply a record of my wanderings. I hope it inspires you to do more wandering of your own.
Cheri Sundra 