How to stay connected while traveling

When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another - and ourselves. - Jack Kornfield

One of the beautiful things about travel is getting away from it all, stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing new places, people, and routines. It is a time to get away from the “busyness” you are used to back home and to re-connect with yourself. Sometimes, however, you start to miss home (whatever or wherever that may be for you) and want to connect with those you left behind or new travel buddies you meet on the road.

Here are some tools you can use to stay connected with yourself and others as you travel.

Travel Journal: We cannot connect with others until we first connect with ourselves. There is something gratifying about putting pen (or pencil) to paper and jotting down your thoughts, ideas, and wonderings as you travel. Even if it is only what you did that day, you will be able to look back on those pages and recall feelings, events, and people from your travels. A journal or diary of your travels can truly take you back in time as you browse through the pages.

Travel Blog: When I studied abroad in South Korea, there was quite a big time difference between where I was and my friends and family back home. So, I started a travel blog for them to follow me on my adventures and see what I was up to every day. Through this, they were able to not only keep up with what I was doing, but also comment and share their wonderings as my studies progressed throughout the country. It was nice to have a sort of “diary” that I was then able to print out and turn into a book when I arrived back home.

Video Chat: There has been so much that has come out since I started traveling solo. From Skype to Viber to even Facebook Chat, there are a variety of free tools out there to “see” your loved ones, even if it is only through a screen. Sometimes, it can feel reassuring just to see them. And it’s the next best thing to actually seeing them in real life.

Free Instant Messaging: Different countries may use different types of free instant messaging tools. For example, when I was in South Korea, everyone used Kakao Talk, where you can not only talk in your regular voice, but you can also change your voice to sound like a cat or dog. (My mom loves when I call her with it. Try it out for a good chuckle.) However, in South America, most people use WhatsApp, which has not really caught on in the States, but is the most popular way of communicating on that continent. Whatever the locals are using, I recommend jumping on the bandwagon, since it’s usually the easiest way you will be able to get in touch with new acquaintances as well.

Slow and Steady: Call it old fashioned, but I still love receiving a postcard or letter in the mail. It is sweet knowing someone took their time to handwrite a few notes about their travels or just to say hello from abroad.

Whichever way you choose to stay connected with those back home or new acquaintances, remember that the best way to stay connected does not involve a screen. Get out there and enjoy this gorgeous world. Stay connected to what keeps you grounded, and keep taking one step at a time on the path that your travels have brought you on.

Author - Sylvia Rajska

I have six states left to finish all 50 states in the USA, speak two languages, have been to over 40 countries, and I do not see myself stopping anytime soon! You can reach me at hello@travelher.org