A Journey in the Slow Lane

The Art of Unhurrying - Part 1

As someone who spends more time in airports than at home, traveling has become second nature to me. But over the years, I’ve realized that travel can easily become a blur of rushed check-ins, endless meetings, and barely catching my breath. In my whirlwind of work trips, I found myself missing out on the essence of the places I visited. So, I decided to make a change.

I call it the art of unhurrying.

What does that mean? For me, it’s been about slowing down, letting go of the constant rush, and savoring every moment—whether it’s for work or play. Here's what I’ve learned about how to embrace travel with more intention:

1. Turn Travel Time into Me Time

For many of us, travel feels like wasted time. We rush to the airport, anxiously wait to board, and treat the flight like a mere pitstop between here and there. But what if you used that time as an opportunity to recharge? I now treat airport lounges and flights like a personal sanctuary. Podcasts, journaling, or just sitting with a good book—I’ve learned that travel downtime is the perfect opportunity for reflection and self-care.

2. Explore Without a Checklist

When your schedule is tight, it’s easy to feel like you need to cram in as many activities as possible. In the past, I’d rush from one tourist spot to another, barely remembering where I’d been. These days, I pick one thing that excites me and take my time exploring it. Whether it's walking down a charming street or sitting at a café, people-watching, I let myself be fully immersed. There's something magical about allowing yourself the time to be curious without constantly thinking about the next destination.

3. Build in Buffer Time

A packed itinerary can leave you stressed and exhausted, especially when you're jumping between meetings and networking events. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to schedule downtime. Whether it’s adding an extra day to decompress after a work trip or even just taking an afternoon off between commitments, that buffer gives me time to breathe and reset. It’s during these pockets of calm that I’ve found the most inspiration, whether in the form of unexpected conversations or spontaneous detours.

4. Connect with the Local Culture

Work travel often feels like you're just skimming the surface of a place. But slowing down gives you a chance to dive deeper. I make it a point to talk to locals, visit smaller, less touristy spots, and try local foods. It’s amazing how much more connected I feel to the places I visit when I engage with them beyond the business world.

5. Practice Mindful Travel

Traveling is a privilege, and I’ve come to see it as an opportunity to practice mindfulness. From the moment I pack my bag to when I arrive at my destination, I try to focus on being present. Mindful travel means paying attention to the little details: the texture of cobblestone streets, the sound of different languages filling the air, or even the feeling of gratitude for being able to explore new places.

Unhurrying Is an Art

For a long time, I thought the goal of travel was to get from point A to point B as fast as possible. But unhurrying has taught me that it’s about the journey itself. Slowing down doesn’t mean you miss out on experiences—it means you experience them more fully.

In a world that constantly pushes us to go faster, I’m embracing the joy of moving at my own pace. And the more I do, the more I realize that there’s beauty in the slow lane, and sometimes, that’s where you find the most magic.

Until the next adventure,

Allie Young