Fast walking. Jobs done in a hurry. Fast eating. Short sleeping.
It is easy to forget your natural pace.
It is easy not to listen to your train of thoughts when you live in a fast world.
When did you last watch buildings around you instead of a path in front of you?
When did you last look up, instead of looking at your mobile phone?
It is easier to embrace fast life – because everybody around you has already embraced it.
This is just one of the reasons why I love to be a tourist.
When I am in a strange land, I always look up. Up, down, all around me – buildings, rooftops, terraces, doors, windows, gardens.
I observe other tourists, their behaviour, and try to imagine their stories.
Where are they from? Why did they come here? Is this their first journey after a long time, or do they live as nomads?
I observe native people, their language, mimics, way of speaking, and interacting with others.
Do they like having so many tourists here?
It must be difficult to be surrounded by so many tourists looking up and down and all around, when you live a fast life and look only in front of you.
Frustration is a common response to others’ behaviour that we find to be impossible for us but secretly crave. If I lived fast and stressful life, constantly watching people who have no timetable and wander around would probably frustrate me.
Once in a while, remind yourself to be like a tourist. To lower your pace, calm your heart rate, open your eyes, and revive your curiosity.
Remind yourself how it feels to be fully present, instead of checking all the things you need to do.
Remind yourself how it feels to wander without an aim.
When I pause all the musts and needs and to-dos, I let my head wonder and be free.
When I let my eyes notice beauty around me, I let myself be amazed by this world.
That brings me stories and feelings that would otherwise stay quiet.
I haven’t written for a long time now. I didn’t find peace and my head couldn’t find time to create freely.
The first morning in a new country, while everybody else was sleeping, the sun has just risen, still mild and sleepy – that’s when words and thoughts just came by.
New country or new part of your city, it doesn’t matter. It can be a weekend getaway somewhere in nature – nature always brings this magical feeling of freedom and calmness.
It doesn’t matter where, it doesn’t matter how – but every now and then, find what suits you the most and remind yourself to be like a tourist.
Because then, you may hear your thoughts, and you may find your true self again.
If you liked this, go on and read another Ritosaurus text on this topic. It was written exactly one year ago, inspired by another journey 🙂