Of the many challenges that have occurred in the past two years of pandemic, traveling definitely ranks as one of the most challenging. Between the protocols of different destinations that often lead to extra cost, the protocols of your own home base and the necessary precautionary measures to keep the general public safe, and the personal anxiety of all these measures and potentially becoming ill, many of us stayed put. But the travel bug is one that is hard to shake, and even for those who aren’t bitten by it, there is only so much time one can spend at home.  At ExpoMom 2021’s Mindful Mom, Chal Lontoc del Rosario of Jeron Travel walked us through how we can travel mindfully and responsibly, both now and in the future, when health protocols are a little easier.

Chal’s tips include:

1. Planning as part of the journey

Chal recommends making the planning process fun. Mindfulness can, in fact, begin with the planning process. Not only can one begin building anticipation in this first stage of the journey, but it also is the first chance to follow your curiosity. Chal says, “When things start to tickle your mind, be in the present and pursue that thought.”

2. Viewing everything as a gift

Even when things go wrong, see the bright side! Noone’s travel plans are perfect, and there definitely will be things that go wrong, see these moments as part of the experience. Relish them! These are part of what makes your journey unique, and in a few years, they may be the best memories of your trip.

3. Going local

Now, more than ever, going local is the easiest way to scratch that travel itch without breaking the bank or dealing with very strict quarantines. Chal recommends traveling like a tourist when you’re local, and enjoying the different attractions your own country has to offer. Not only does it help the local economy, but you give your children memories of their own country, plus a sense of national pride too!

4. Going sustainable

Whenever possible, be sustainable. Bring your own water bottle so you avoid buying plastic bottles. Bring your own toiletries so you avoid using the ones from the hotels or accommodation (they often discard anything halfway used). Sustainability in travel takes a lot of mindfulness; by being present to the impact you are making as you go along, you can make travel more meaningful.

As Chal quoted: “There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew.” So travel responsibly!

5. Making memories

Travel gives us a chance to become richer in non-monetary ways. When we make memories with our families, we live richer lives for it. When we become inspired by the things we see and bring those moments of inspiration home with us (for example, copying a recipe from a restaurant or rearranging your existing furniture based on the design aesthetic you encountered in another country), we undoubtedly live richer lives for it. It also shows that we weren’t just “passing through” in terms of our travel, but that we were really being present and living those moments so much that it changed our lives.

Chal and her family, making memories wherever they go.

At the end of the day, mindful travel is all about focusing on the present moment. Even if you’ve simply traveled to the grocery store or to your mom’s house in the province, each act of moving from your home to another destination can be turned into a travel experience mindfully done.