Happiness isn't a one time thing
“Happiness isn’t a one-time thing, it’s something we have to keep swimming towards again and again…”
Who hasn’t seen or read the iconic Eat, Pray, Love? The movie starring with the ever glowing Julia Roberts.
We all could relate to it in some way. It’s not just a story for people who have gone through a marriage or a divorce.
Two powerful questions
It’s a journey of self-discovery, and let’s be honest, that journey begins the moment we are born and it never really ends.
Luckily, more and more people are waking up to this reality. They are learning the universal rules, laws of nature, diving deep into the questions we have all pondered:
Who am I?
Why am I here?
Two powerful questions that give the real meaning in life.
Ubud in Bali
While visiting the breathtaking rice fields in Bali, Ubud (where parts of Eat, Pray, Love were filmed), these thoughts flooded my mind.
Ubud isn’t just a tourist spot. The energy there is truly magical. Once you allow yourself to sink into nature, everything around you simply flows. It’s impossible to resist.
But Bali wasn’t just another destination for me – it marked the end of my SouthEast Asian adventure, which made it even more meaningful.
It felt like the perfect place to reflect on the Eat, Pray, Love lessons I have gathered along the way.
Here is what stood out for me, and I hope it inspires you too:
1. Experience it for yourself
No matter how much advice you receive, nothing compares to living life firsthand. So many people warned me before I embarked on this journey.
They worried for me, but frankly, most of these people have never traveled themselves.
Those who had, encouraged me to go for it. And I am beyond grateful that I did.
Solo travel has taught me that, with some planning and an open mind, it’s not just possible, it’s so much easier than I thought but mostly, it’s transformative.
2. Embrace Your Fears & Go After What You Truly Want
It’s easy to let fear hold you back, especially when you are stepping into unknown and have no clue what to expect.
But the truth is, there is no greater learning curve than stepping out of your comfort zone.
As scary as it seemed, traveling solo taught me that most fears dissolve the moment you face them head-on and trust me, when traveling, there are plenty of opportunities to teach you to fall in love with unknown pretty soon.
You will never know the power of your own courage until you give it a chance to shine.
Mostly, it’s much easier than all your worries combine :-).
3. Live in the moment
I have read countless books and have been meditating for years, but travel has been the most practical and powerful teacher when it comes to truly living in the NOW.
Whether it’s savouring every bite of a delicious cake or connecting with strangers on a sunrise trek, travel forces you to be PRESENT.
Every moment is fleeting and you learn to appreciate as it comes, including moments you don’t like so much.
4. Let go of expectations
Travel has a funny way of never going exactly as planned, and that’s its greatest gift.
You can book a stay, make arrangements, or plan the perfect itinerary, but things will always turn out differently – and often, better.
Travel teaches you flexibility and how to open your heart and mind to the unknown.
Life has its own way of surprising you, and if you are open, you will discover unexpected blessings everywhere.
5. Embrace solitude
No matter how many people you meet along the way, there will be moments where you are completely alone with your thoughts.
And if you are a deep thinker, as I am, these moments of solitude can bring up everything you have been avoiding.
But there is the magic: solo travel forces you to confront these thoughts and learn from them.
There is nowhere to run but inward, and that’s where the real growth happens.
Bali in charge
Well, Bali and loving Asia has gently but firmly reminded me of this one simple truth: take control of your mind.
No matter where you are, what you are doing, or who you are with, your thoughts are your own. They shape your reality.
Solo travel is one of the best companions on the path to self-discovery, but at the end of the day, the journey is yours.
Your inner world is the one you can always control, and it’s that mastery that leads to a fulfilled, empowered life.
In case you need those loving reminders, do yourself a favor and visit Bali.
