Post 2/ The Best Ways to Travel
Avenue of Poplars in Autumn by Van Gogh
1884, Van Gogh Museum
“We imagine ourselves as a different version of ourselves when we travel, without our current struggles. But the truth is, wherever you go, there you are.”
In my opening blog, I explore the best kind of travel: moving through your space and mind with intention and intuition, wherever you are. While I’m not against physical travel (as I write this from a café in Amsterdam), my focus is on a more meaningful journey.
We’re staying with a friend’s sister, and the real value of this trip isn’t in the sights—it’s in the moments we’ve shared. She’s introduced us to her favorite cafés, grocery store, and walks. In return, we’ve picked up essentials, made dinner, and brought fresh flowers. It’s not the place, but the time spent together (and with her cat!) that matters most.
Yesterday, at the Van Gogh Museum, I was struck by the synchronicity in how strongly I felt about the way we experience travel and what Van Gogh was trying to convey to the world. Van Gogh moved against the current, using bold colors and thick strokes when the norm was dark, delicate work. He stayed true to his vision, reshaping art through his unique lens. In a similar way, while travel can broaden horizons, I believe the real challenge—and deeper joy—comes from finding that same sense of discovery at home, with those around you. You can’t escape your problems through travel —not a popular sentiment in a social media, check-it-off-the-list traveling culture. You can’t outrun your problems or even seek new versions of you by traveling; wherever you go, you’re still with yourself. True growth happens when you learn to love where you are.
I was reminded of this while looking at a painting of a woman in dark clothes walking down a muddy, shadowed path. She moved toward the faintest light ahead, with the world spinning around her, indifferent to her struggle. But she kept going, learning from the darkness and embracing it as part of her journey. I realized I had done the same. After ten months of grief, following a life change I wasn’t ready for, I had finally emerged from the cycle. I didn’t avoid it—I faced it head-on, trying new careers, leaving three jobs, and living through the discomfort. Each time, I felt it was time for something bigger. And once I worked through the grief, not once sweeping it under the rug, I had the opportunity to travel—not to escape, but to let go. That painting reflected my journey: a muddy road, a woman moving beyond the darkness toward the open sky. My feet were planted, my tears unstoppable.
Through it all, I knew my purpose was rooted in creating space—helping others feel the comfort and clarity I’ve always felt joy in fostering. Whether through teaching yoga, designing physical spaces, or creating the most welcoming ambiance, my next step became clear: I wanted to help others simplify and transform their spaces. I had convinced myself that my corporate track was the “easiest” path, akin to how hopping on a plane and thinking we escape our world, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t the right path for me. As A Simpler Life says, “People become frustratingly complicated when they doubt the legitimacy of their desires.” That had been me in 2024, and I know those closest to me could feel it, and the intensity of my struggle.
What lies ahead is not fully formed; if you follow along, the next year will have messy parts and doubts. We will find holes and impractical things to debunk together. And who knows, maybe the values of this blog will re-shape themselves into something new. But, I hope you’ll join me, in the comments too.
Whether you’re always on the move or a homebody, we’re all traveling in some way, every day. Physical travel can spark new perspectives, but you still bring yourself along. As A Simpler Life reminds us, “We imagine ourselves as a different version of ourselves when we travel, without our current struggles. But wherever you go, there you are.”
The greatest traveler I know is my father-in-law, who journeys inward more deeply than anyone I’ve met. Van Gogh embodied this too, standing firm in his vision and saying, “You’ll certainly see I have my own way of looking.” Even the French embrace this spirit, living with joie de vivre, like salmon swimming upstream in a capitalist world.
If you value both physical and mental travel, this blog will explore both. It’s about simplifying life—both in your space and in your mind.
My hope is that by embracing simplicity, you’ll enjoy your trips but also feel a deeper connection to home, ready to journey inward with peace, clarity, and purpose.
