Alright, let’s talk about travel in 2023. I decided I needed to change things up, make my trips a bit kinder to the planet. It wasn’t some big overnight switch, more like trying things out, seeing what worked for me.
Getting Started: The Mindset Shift
First off, I had to actually think about the impact. Before, I’d just book whatever flight looked cheapest or fastest. So, the first real step was just slowing down the planning. I asked myself, ‘Do I really need to fly there?’ or ‘Is there a cooler, maybe slower, way to go?’
I started looking at destinations closer to home, places I could maybe reach by train or even a longer bus ride. It felt a bit limiting at first, I won’t lie, but then I found some gems I’d totally overlooked before.
Packing Differently: Less Junk, More Sense
Okay, packing. This used to be my downfall. Suitcase always stuffed. This time, I got serious about cutting down. It wasn’t just about less weight, but less plastic and waste too. Here’s what became my must-haves:
- My trusty reusable water bottle. Seriously, this thing went everywhere.
- A collapsible coffee cup. Saved me from countless disposable cups at stations and cafes.
- A couple of cloth tote bags shoved in my backpack. Great for groceries or random souvenirs.
- Solid toiletries! Found a decent shampoo bar, conditioner bar, and stuck to bar soap. Amazing how much plastic that cuts out.
Packing lighter also meant I could actually carry my bag comfortably, which was a bonus when navigating train stations or walking to my accommodation.
On the Road: Trains, Local Stays, and Slowing Down
I ended up taking a couple of long train rides. Honestly? It was way more chill than flying. You see the landscape change, you can get up and walk around. Felt more like part of the journey, not just being teleported.
For places to stay, I actively looked for smaller, locally-run guesthouses or hotels that mentioned sustainability efforts. Sometimes it was just small things like recycling bins in the room or locally sourced breakfast, but it felt better than a massive, anonymous chain.
Once I got to a place, I made a point to walk. A lot. Or rent a bike. You just discover more that way, find little side streets or local spots you’d miss in a taxi. I tried to eat local too – farmers’ markets, small restaurants that seemed popular with people who actually lived there. Less food miles, tastier food usually!
Was it Perfect? Nope. Was it Better? Yeah.
Look, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Finding places to refill my water bottle sometimes took extra effort. Public transport in some areas was… tricky. And yeah, maybe I didn’t hop across continents like I might have done before. But the trips I took felt more intentional. I felt more connected to the places I visited.
It’s definitely a work in progress for me. I haven’t sworn off flying forever, but I definitely think twice, or three times, now. Offsetting flights is something I started doing if flying was the only real option, trying to put some money towards balancing it out.
So that’s my experience from last year. Just trying things, making small changes. It’s totally doable, and honestly, it made my travels feel a bit more meaningful. Give it a try, maybe start with one or two things on your next trip.
