Wherever you go …

“You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.” ~Ernest Hemingway

Most of us think of a vacation as an opportunity to “get away from it all.” We might explore a new city or country, or sip margaritas on a beach. The idea of escaping our problems (or boredom) by leaving home has always held tremendous appeal. Travel is a great distraction. Whether we’re wandering the streets of Paris or touring historic sites in Boston, we secretly hope we’ll return to our routines feeling more worldly or sophisticated.

While a change of scenery is good for our mental health, we know that our worries, obligations, and personality flaws come right back home with us when the vacation is over.

Furthermore, technology makes it harder to fully escape from anything or anyone. Wherever we go, friends and colleagues can reach us whenever a need arises. While my husband and I were out of town earlier this month, for instance, his cell phone was pinging with calls and texts regarding an offer on his mother’s home, which was put on the real estate market in June. Though we were three hours away from home and five minutes from Lake Michigan, our minds were still anchored in suburban Detroit.

After working as a travel editor for many years (and visiting many wonderful places), I’ve come to believe that living out of a suitcase is often overrated. While there’s a lot to learn from exploring the world, all too often we avoid facing the rugged emotional terrain of our own minds.

Hemingway was right: No matter where we move, or where we travel, we can’t escape from ourselves.

“Wherever you go, there you are,” explains Jon Kabat-Zinn, author and founder of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine. “Whatever you wind up doing, that’s what you’re doing. Whatever you’re thinking right now, that’s what’s on your mind….The important question is, “How are you going to handle it?” Like it or not, this moment is all we really have to work with.” ~CL