Not a Vacation, but a Journey of Growth, Tools, and Practice

Good morning, or at least it is for me. I’m writing this after an early morning swim, which sparked a thought I felt compelled to share. When you’re travelling the way I am, it’s easy for others to see it as a holiday. But this isn’t a vacation. It’s something more layered and intentional.

A holiday usually has clear bookends. It might be a week, maybe two, sometimes three. You’ve got a checklist of rest, sightseeing, and activities you want to squeeze in before returning to your usual routine. But what I’m doing isn’t about escape or ticking boxes. It’s about presence, practice, and purposeful exploration.

Unlike a traditional vacation, I don’t have a strict itinerary. There’s a rhythm to my days, but not a rigid schedule. I don’t sleep in every day or lounge around without aim, although I certainly could. Instead, I lean on the habits and practices that support me back home. That’s what keeps me grounded, connected, and curious.

These practices are what I call my tools. I’ve always believed we all need tools to help us through life, not just during the hard times but in our everyday lives. For me, movement is essential. Whether it’s swimming, yoga, stretching, walking, or even Tai Chi, I need some form of exercise daily. It keeps my mind open and my spirit energised. That swim this morning didn’t just refresh my body, it stirred something creatively in me. That’s why I’m writing this now.

But my tools go beyond the physical. Each morning I light incense and begin with prayer and meditation. This ritual anchors me before the day unfolds. From there, life happens. It might be a stroll through a local village, a deep-tissue Balinese massage, or a conversation with a traditional weaver about his craft passed down through generations. Each moment is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to connect, both with others and with myself.

Some people equate solitude with loneliness, but they are not the same. I’ve always been a bit of a loner, even as a child, though also deeply social. I straddle both worlds comfortably. I don’t feel alone because I’ve created a space within myself that feels peaceful and self-sustaining. That’s the result of practice.

And that’s the message I want to leave with you today. Keep moving. Keep learning. Keep growing. Step out of your comfort zone and rely on your tools, the small rituals and routines that nourish your soul and keep you anchored in who you are.

In fact, I plan to do a separate piece on those tools. There are more than 50 of them I’ve come to rely on. Some I use daily. Others are there when I need them. But they’re always available, like a personal toolkit for life, travel, and everything in between.

Until then, have a blessed day, week, month, and year. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.