Can you believe we're on the cusp of a new year? It has me dreaming about what's next and thinking about ways to enhance our explorations in 2024—individually and collectively. How, as travelers, can we be more present and appreciative of the people and wonders around us while embracing a form of travel focused on forming meaningful connections, discovering more about ourselves, and positively impacting the communities we visit?
Last month marked the release of my first book, I Could Live Here: A Travel Memoir of Home and Belonging, a story of deep connections, forming bonds, letting go, and uncovering layers of ourselves and the places we visit. The book advocates adopting a mindset that values adaptability and the ability to find belonging in diverse environments, experiencing different lifestyles, accommodations, and communities. Whether it's an ecological casita in the Etla Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico, a sleek city apartment in Medellin, Colombia, or a historic coastal cottage in a Scottish conservation village, long-stay travel allows for a dynamic and ever-changing sense of home.
The response from those who have read the book has been amazing. I love hearing about the questions and insights the story triggered for you. Thank you for that! For those considering extended adventures in 2024, I wanted to share some tips for nurturing a genuine sense of home and belonging on the move.
TRIBE VIBES: BUILD YOUR ON-THE-GO FAMILY
Creating bonds with those who call the destination home adds a unique layer to your travel experience. Opt for homestays, guesthouses, or boutique hotels run by locals. The hosts and other guests may offer valuable insights and become friends during your stay. Strike up conversations with people in coffee shops, parks, or other local hangouts. Easiest of all, be open to new experiences and show genuine interest in the local culture. Approachability and curiosity go a long way in making connections.
BELONGING BEYOND BORDERS: IMMERSE YOURSELF IN LOCAL SCENES
Belonging isn't about staking your claim but diving into the local scene. Be a cultural sponge—sample the street food, groove to regional tunes, and soak in the atmosphere. Say yes to new experiences and adventures.
CRAFTING REMARKABLE EXPERIENCES: BEYOND TOURIST TRAPS
Creating memorable experiences goes beyond checking off tourist traps. Learn a bit of the language, seek out local recommendations, and weave these offbeat moments into your travel narrative. These are the stories that make your journey uniquely yours.
FLEXIBLE LIVING: EMBRACE THE EVOLUTION OF HOME
As you go from one location to the next, embrace the fluidity of your concept of home. Each stop is a fresh chapter, not a replacement for what you left behind. Adapt like a pro, appreciate the nuances, and keep the momentum going.
PRACTICAL WISDOM: YOUR PHD IN NAVIGATING LIFE
Long-stay travel is your practical PhD in navigating life. Confront the challenges, decode the unknowns, let go of resistance and you've cracked the code to feeling at home anywhere.
If you enjoyed this or learned something, share the post with others and follow me, Ellen Barone, for more in the future!
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. After 15 years as an independent content creator for travel and tourism, she has been enjoying extended stays abroad for the past decade, the inspiration behind her travel memoir, "I Could Live Here" (November 2023)