25 Nov Ways to Stay Grateful During the Busy Traveling Season

In honor of Thanksgiving this week here in the United States, we are partnering with Michelin on their “Be There Campaign” to talk about ways to cultivate gratefulness during busy traveling seasons. We feel it’s important to spread joy and be mindful of the good things in life; it makes the world a happier place. So, every year around this time, we make it a priority to think about all we have to be grateful for–it’s important to remember all year long, but especially during busy holiday seasons where the to do list is too long and there never seems to be enough hours in the day.

Gratefulness can take many forms, such as counting your blessings, writing lists of all you have to be thankful for, giving thanks to people you encounter throughout your day, and reaching out to loved ones to share and show your appreciation. Traveling can be crazy during the holiday hustle and bustle, so it’s important to keep positive and stay thankful. Here are some traditions we follow and ways we cultivate gratefulness during the holidays and busy traveling seasons.

Carve out time to spend with friends and family:

Making time for your friends and family is always important in showing them that you care. A few ways to carve out time for friends and family could consist of planning a trip to visit them, revisiting a favorite destination together or traveling somewhere new with someone special. If you can’t physically be with your loved ones, find a different way to spend some quality time with one another, such as hopping on Skype and baking Christmas cookies together!

Keep a journal:

Writing down moments of gratefulness in a journal will help remind you of all the things you have to be thankful for in your life. Try to jot down positive notes from your day, no matter how small they may be. Focusing on the positivity in your life will help boost your mood and keep you happy. Plus, by writing it down, you can look back at all the happy things in your journal when you need a little pick me up!

Write postcards to loved ones:

Make your loved ones feel remembered and appreciated by sending them a personal note on a postcard when you are traveling. It’s always nice to be remembered but even more so during the holidays.

Focus on experiences rather than gifts:

While material gifts definitely have their place and purpose, we always try to focus on gifting experiences instead. Planning a trip or activity to share with someone special creates memories that will last a lifetime. To us, having a memorable and fun experience is much more valuable than accumulating more material possessions.

Learn gratitude in the local language:

If you are traveling abroad, make the extra effort to learn key words in the local language. Words such as hello, goodbye and especially thank you show respect to locals and help you spread little amounts of appreciation around the world!

Be present and in the moment:

Travel can be hectic, so remember to focus on slowing down and being present in the moment. If you are constantly rushing around and thinking about what’s next on your list, you will miss important moments and never fully experience the destination you are in or the people you are with. Live by the sentiment “quality over quantity”, and strive to connect with the people and places around you for a more enriching experience.

Lend a helping hand:

Find a way to volunteer and lend a hand at home or on the road, or donate items or money to those in need. Giving to others can help reveal aspects of your life that you may take for granted, and it will help brighten someone else’s life, as well. Spreading love is always a good idea!

Practice patience and kindness:

Make sure to remember that travel, and the holidays, can be a difficult and stressful time for people. Practice patience and kindness and spread extra love to everyone you meet throughout your travels. This can be especially beneficial in busy airports and transportation hubs where the commotion can cause extra frustration and stress for you and your fellow passengers.

Create reminders of gratitude:

Finding things that remind you of something you are grateful for can provide comfort even during the darkest of days. Whether it’s a photo of a loved one or a trinket from someone who cares about you, packing it for a trip or placing the items throughout your house is sure to give you a boost of comfort and gratefulness when you need it.

There are so many ways to think about all you have to be grateful for in life, so don’t forget to remind yourself of what makes you happy and what you have to be thankful for. The hustle and bustle of the busy traveling season can make it hard to be present and focus on happiness, but hopefully, if we all make a little effort, we can spread love, joy and gratefulness throughout the world!

What ways do you like to cultivate gratefulness in your life?

Thanks to Michelin for sponsoring this post. When it comes to those we care about, no distance is too far. Use #BeThereMoments on Instagram to connect with a community of likeminded people who are making the effort to show up when it matters most.