I needed this today! As my husband and I contemplate this new season I keep wondering how I will find meaning. I love travel, but I crave relationship and knowing that my work is making a difference. How will I find that when we live in each locale so briefly? Thank you for showing me the simplicity of seeing good and doing good.
Oh, I get this completely. When we first started slow traveling, I worried we were trading depth for movement — all new places, fewer roots. But I’ve realized connection doesn’t always need time; sometimes it just needs intention. A shared meal, a small kindness, a genuine conversation — it all counts.
You’re asking the right questions, and that’s half the magic. – Kelly
Thank you for bringing us along on your exploration of what traveling does to us. I have to admit that I look forward to joining the category of ladies/gentlemen who lunch. What’s not to like? Lunch and reflect on life, people and how we act and react to each other and to situations we end up in.
But of course, I understand and respect that other people might want to contribute more and in other ways.
Thank you so much, Laura — that means a lot. I’m so glad it resonated with you. Here’s to staying present and grounded, wherever the road leads next. Sending gratitude and warmth your way. -Kelly
Wow. That was an impressive story arc. Thanks so much for sharing. I hope both you and Nigel will make travelling all over the world a regular thing. Both of you seem so suited for that lifestyle. Have a great day. ✌️❤️🕯️ and 👽
Thank you so much, José — that means a lot! Travel really has become the rhythm of our lives now. We’ve learned we’re happiest when we’re exploring slowly, staying long enough to feel a place instead of just seeing it.
Here’s hoping we can keep circling the globe for a while yet! Wishing you a great day too. -Kelly
Oh I love this perspective shift! I think it's so easy when traveling or moving to a new place to approach it with a "what's in it for me?" attitude. But you're so right, you only get out what you put in. This feels extremely apropos (for me at least) following Jane Goodall's death, and reflecting on all the times throughout her life when she engaged instead of simply observed. Thank you for sharing these stories and setting this gentle yet meaningful challenge. ❤️
Marci, I love how you put that — engage instead of simply observe.
Jane Goodall is the perfect compass for this moment. Her life was one long masterclass in showing up, listening deeply, and then doing the next small right thing.
Thank you for reading so generously. If you try a tiny “engage” this week — a hello, a hand, a story shared — I’d love to hear how it lands. 💕
Gosh that is good stuff! Your perspective is awesome. Build meaning. Do good where you are. Connecting in different ways. Making your life work how it fits who you are and who you want to be. I think we are friends who haven’t met yet. 🤩
Oh, I love that — “friends who haven’t met yet” might be my favorite kind of friendship. 😊
Thank you for this, truly. That’s exactly the goal — to build a life that fits who we’re still becoming, not just who we’ve been. Here’s to doing good (and maybe crossing paths somewhere out in the world). 🌍
Just wanted to say this was a wonderful read. Judith sounds like she will always keep you on your toes. She may sharpen the questions but I’m sure she was the one left thinking.
One of my faborites thus far! Your Columbian friend was a perfect example of why it is not really all about US... and what you did for Malachi was noble... Yet with you, I am sure it didn't feel like an inconvenience...Which is the beauty of it.
Thanks, T! You know me too well — it didn’t feel like an inconvenience at all. Those moments remind me how easy it can be to make a difference when you just pay attention.
I think that’s what I’m chasing now — the quiet kind of purpose that finds you when you’re not even looking for it. -k
This is so well written and so true. We are very much rooted to our farm and our community but, because of where we live, we are on the receiving end of this. We have a camping barn, a very basic stone building that provides accommodation, mainly to walkers on one of the UK’s national trails. People come and people go, most of them are pleasant and friendly, but it’s a fleeting interaction before they head to the next stop. A few though, in time of need, have stayed a little longer, to help out when, as happens with farming occasionally, a crisis has arisen that could do with some extra hands. Those people soon become part of our community, sometimes for a few hours, sometimes for days, but, should they return in the future, then it’s for the rest of their lives. This isn’t just about us, the whole valley is peppered with farms offering holiday accommodation and the same thing happens all over. And when we’re in the pub in the evening, you soon get to know the holidaymakers who understand the idea of community that you have written about. One thing I am certain of, you two would fit right in. Thanks for sharing, Kelly.
“Goodness travels. And when it does, it multiplies.” That line will stick with me!
I loved this piece and this perspective so much. Thank you for sharing!
I needed this today! As my husband and I contemplate this new season I keep wondering how I will find meaning. I love travel, but I crave relationship and knowing that my work is making a difference. How will I find that when we live in each locale so briefly? Thank you for showing me the simplicity of seeing good and doing good.
Oh, I get this completely. When we first started slow traveling, I worried we were trading depth for movement — all new places, fewer roots. But I’ve realized connection doesn’t always need time; sometimes it just needs intention. A shared meal, a small kindness, a genuine conversation — it all counts.
You’re asking the right questions, and that’s half the magic. – Kelly
What a nice article.
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate you!
Of course. Thanks for the content!
Thank you for bringing us along on your exploration of what traveling does to us. I have to admit that I look forward to joining the category of ladies/gentlemen who lunch. What’s not to like? Lunch and reflect on life, people and how we act and react to each other and to situations we end up in.
But of course, I understand and respect that other people might want to contribute more and in other ways.
I love that — lunch and reflection might just be the most underrated form of contribution there is.
Slowing down enough to really notice people, to connect and exchange stories, is its own quiet kind of good.
Here’s to the art of lingering over lunch and calling it purpose. -Kelly
Such a gorgeous and beautifully written piece Kelly. Here’s to living in a present, engaged and mindful way. Love it!
Thank you so much, Laura — that means a lot. I’m so glad it resonated with you. Here’s to staying present and grounded, wherever the road leads next. Sending gratitude and warmth your way. -Kelly
Wow. That was an impressive story arc. Thanks so much for sharing. I hope both you and Nigel will make travelling all over the world a regular thing. Both of you seem so suited for that lifestyle. Have a great day. ✌️❤️🕯️ and 👽
Thank you so much, José — that means a lot! Travel really has become the rhythm of our lives now. We’ve learned we’re happiest when we’re exploring slowly, staying long enough to feel a place instead of just seeing it.
Here’s hoping we can keep circling the globe for a while yet! Wishing you a great day too. -Kelly
"We love what costs us something — time, courage, vulnerability." - This is a beautiful piece with a beautiful perspective 🙏🏻
Oh I love this perspective shift! I think it's so easy when traveling or moving to a new place to approach it with a "what's in it for me?" attitude. But you're so right, you only get out what you put in. This feels extremely apropos (for me at least) following Jane Goodall's death, and reflecting on all the times throughout her life when she engaged instead of simply observed. Thank you for sharing these stories and setting this gentle yet meaningful challenge. ❤️
Marci, I love how you put that — engage instead of simply observe.
Jane Goodall is the perfect compass for this moment. Her life was one long masterclass in showing up, listening deeply, and then doing the next small right thing.
Thank you for reading so generously. If you try a tiny “engage” this week — a hello, a hand, a story shared — I’d love to hear how it lands. 💕
I certainly will! Thanks for the nudge. 😊
Gosh that is good stuff! Your perspective is awesome. Build meaning. Do good where you are. Connecting in different ways. Making your life work how it fits who you are and who you want to be. I think we are friends who haven’t met yet. 🤩
Oh, I love that — “friends who haven’t met yet” might be my favorite kind of friendship. 😊
Thank you for this, truly. That’s exactly the goal — to build a life that fits who we’re still becoming, not just who we’ve been. Here’s to doing good (and maybe crossing paths somewhere out in the world). 🌍
– Kelly
Just wanted to say this was a wonderful read. Judith sounds like she will always keep you on your toes. She may sharpen the questions but I’m sure she was the one left thinking.
Thank you so much — and you’re absolutely right about Judith! She keeps me honest and thinking, which is probably why I adore her.
She has a way of asking the questions that matter most — the ones you can’t quite shake. –Kelly
One of my faborites thus far! Your Columbian friend was a perfect example of why it is not really all about US... and what you did for Malachi was noble... Yet with you, I am sure it didn't feel like an inconvenience...Which is the beauty of it.
Thanks, T! You know me too well — it didn’t feel like an inconvenience at all. Those moments remind me how easy it can be to make a difference when you just pay attention.
I think that’s what I’m chasing now — the quiet kind of purpose that finds you when you’re not even looking for it. -k
Great article👏🏽😀
Thanks so much by for reading and taking time to comment! Let’s spread the ❤️! -Kelly
Yes the more we spread of the highest frequencies like love and kindness the better❣️
So true...such wise insights!
Thank you Richard! I’m not often accused of being wise, and I’ll take it 🤭
Loved this series! Thanks for expanding my thoughts on travel’s place in my life.
Thank you so much, Natalie! This means more than you know. -Kelly
This is so well written and so true. We are very much rooted to our farm and our community but, because of where we live, we are on the receiving end of this. We have a camping barn, a very basic stone building that provides accommodation, mainly to walkers on one of the UK’s national trails. People come and people go, most of them are pleasant and friendly, but it’s a fleeting interaction before they head to the next stop. A few though, in time of need, have stayed a little longer, to help out when, as happens with farming occasionally, a crisis has arisen that could do with some extra hands. Those people soon become part of our community, sometimes for a few hours, sometimes for days, but, should they return in the future, then it’s for the rest of their lives. This isn’t just about us, the whole valley is peppered with farms offering holiday accommodation and the same thing happens all over. And when we’re in the pub in the evening, you soon get to know the holidaymakers who understand the idea of community that you have written about. One thing I am certain of, you two would fit right in. Thanks for sharing, Kelly.