How to deal with being stuck on the ground as a travel junkie

I was born with travel genes. No, I don’t mean figuratively speaking. Well, yes, I do, but…..it’s true! From my parents' history (military + travel enthusiasts) to my crazy upbringing (I’ve moved around more than I can count) I’ve always had a feeling of ants in my pants (and thát is figuratively speaking!), or in other words: an unsettling urge to keep exploring.

I remember at age 15 desperately wanting to go on an exchange year abroad. I’d sit in class dreaming of a different life in, for example, an American High School or being the only blond girl in the midst of a class full of Chinese students. Learning Manderin sounded so cool. With a father in the UK, my younger brother and I traveled frequently to visit. That’s how I associated travel with excitement; the thought of seeing our father on the other side of the gate was unbearably thrilling as a child. I still get that same buzz I did back then, every time I step into an airport.

The thought of whatever I’ll meet on the other side of the gate, gives such a rush that it’s become addictive.

Travel has become part of my identity. Just yesterday I walked past a ‘Copenhagen Coffee’ shop, and realized, with a smile on my face, how much I missed living in Denmark, only to think how odd it is that I view Denmark as ‘my home’, but I do the same for Australia, Germany, The Netherlands, Bali and the U.K., all places I’ve lived in the past. However, with how the current climate stands, and the travel ban (rightly so!), I’ve been ‘forced’ to stop travelling and quite literally been ‘stuck to the ground’, like a plane sat on the tarmac, impatiently waiting for take off. Again, figuratively speaking.  

For the most part, this obligated lockdown has had its positive effects on me and my ants-in-the-pants impulses, such as saving money, finding more inner peace and routine, and also time to grow my business (such as writing this blog). I’m sure everyone can find a silver lining when it comes to this crisis, but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming about my next adventure! One of the biggest pitfalls about living in The Netherlands (at least where I live) is not being close to the ocean.

My inner surf-chick is dying for some salty waves, sun on my face and careless fun on a board. Fortunately, on sunny days, I’m able to take out my SUP board on the local river running through a park close by. It’s a poor consolation, but it temporarily satisfies the needs.

At the moment, my daydreams are filled with fantasies of surfing in the Azores or renting a little place off the coast in Portugal, to work from for a while. However idyllic that sounds, for the time being,  I’m stuck and The Netherlands is my home. My daydreams are filled with fantasies of surfing in the Azores or renting a little place off the coast in Portugal, to work from for a while. However idyllic that sounds, for the time being,  I’m stuck and The Netherlands is my home. 

So, if like me, you’re a travel junkie stuck at home wondering how to satiate your travel needs? Then I have a few suggestions that will hopefully help in the meantime, until your travel bug can be let loose again:

1. Take it easy like Sunday morning

You know that feeling when you’re on holiday and your days just seem to be more lazily and slow? Well, I know it’s easy to get started with work, kids or other obligations, but starting the day right really does make a difference. I put in a conscious effort to schedule time for myself each day, starting with a good breakfast (and coffee!), some yoga or meditation. Just 30 minutes in the morning sets the rest of your day. 

2. Create that holiday vibe at home

I love how a smell can remind you of a place, so I’ve recently started using candles, incense or essential oils, to recreate that lovely holiday feeling, such as a coconut shampoo and body mist after showering, lighting incense around the house and, personally, I’m a big fan of DoTerra essential oils, to give me that Bali-essence!

3. Set a new goal

Not a surfer/ Paddleboarder? Or not near water like me? Why not challenge yourself with a new goal! I recently decided to start learning how to handstand, while my partner does the headstand. It’s active and fun, in the same way as surfing, and while the world is upside down anyway, I decided I might as well do the same (: 

3. Explore your surroundings

We’re all creatures of habits and tend to walk the same route, shop and the same supermarket and pretty much live within the same circle. Last weekend, my partner and I mapped a 30km bike route and went exploring. It was really great to see something different and explore the beauty of our own country. 

4. Cook a new recipe

Similarly to the last point, people can have the tendency to eat the same things, so while we can’t go to Italy, Spain or India, why not bring them home? Go online, find an interesting recipe and challenge yourself, also fun to do with a partner/ friend or family (social distancing in mind).  Making your own pizza or curry is not only delicious and greatly satisfying, but it will temporarily take you back, because just like ‘smell’, our taste buds can take us back to lovely memories of past holidays.

Another positive side effect is that I’m starting to appreciate home more than I ever have before.

Friends and family near, our beautiful nature, the (mostly) friendly people and don’t forget some good Dutch fries from time to time. All things you miss when you’re abroad.

I might even consider a surfing weekend at our Dutch Seas in summer, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from all this is that this globetrotter girl doesn’t have to go far to find adventure and get that same thrill!

But I wouldn’t rule out living somewhere else again….but for now I’ll just consider dreaming from my backyard….

☾

NAMASTÉ MARIJKE

Dutchie • Digital Nomad • Travel Junkie
Ocean Lover • Yoga Enthusiast