Creating Space

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“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” – Albert Einstein

When I packed up my car to go on vacation with my family last week, it was so heavily loaded that there was no floor space visible. The cereal boxes were under Mr. D’s feet and came out a little dented. I hauled the organic milk the kids drink because it is so much more expensive on the island. I even brought our own snuggly blankets because the ones at the cabin are 40 years old and scratchy.

What happened to the days when I could travel with just a toothbrush and passport?

Not claiming that I ever did go THAT light. Especially climbing trips came with duffel bags of gear. But it felt like I could.

To make this even sillier, this vacation was just going 90 minutes from home and on an island that’s the 4th biggest in the US. To put it all in perspective about how close to commerce we are, even when on vacation, there’s a Chinese restaurant 10 minutes from where we stay.

But still I loaded up the car. Even with all that brought, it wasn’t long before I realized that I forgot to bring my favorite tea. A blueberry green tea by Yogi that is pretty hard to find.

As I was lamenting the tea I forgot, I was chagrined to remember that I only discovered this tea because I was on a business trip last year and didn’t have my usual.

Sheesh, I wonder how many times I will have to learn that when we leave space – by breaking from habit or routine or just doing something differently – it creates room for discovery.

65 thoughts on “Creating Space”

  1. Indeed, Wynne, the world is an interesting and informative place. If, of course, we keep our eyes open, literally and metaphorically. Glasses help, too!

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    1. I’m right there with you with my habits, Vicki. I think they are one of the thins that help us get a lot done, right? Maybe we just need to add “change-up” as a to-do? 🙂

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  3. OMG, I’m dying over here! You packed up your car like you were moving to the island. I’m guilty of doing the same thing, though – I mean, what if we need something?! But seriously, I love the lesson you learned from forgetting your fave tea.

    It’s so true that when we break out of our routines, we make room for new discoveries. And isn’t it funny how we often figure this out the hard way? 😄

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    1. Years and years ago I met a gentleman at an airport who traveled with just his backpack. He didn’t have any checked-in luggage and you know I was curious enough to ask what he does travel with. What I remember is a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, one change of underclothes, skinny flipflops, and that’s it. Yes, of course I had questions. What about sun screen? What about a comfortable change of clean clothes that fit? What about soap that doesn’t rip off your skin? … I remember a conversation with many “what about”s on my side, and many smiles on his side 🙂

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      1. Geez, that list makes me want my orthodics for the flip flops. 🙂 I love that you had questions for him, EW. I would expect no less. Do you have to rely on the kindness of strangers when you travel that light?

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      3. He sounds like a man with something fishy planned. I can’t trust anyone that packs so little. LOL
        Unless of course he was headed home to visit his parents and they had clothes for him there.

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      6. Well, Jack Reacher had commitment problems and only wore one type of outfit. 🙂 Love that character but I think if we met him in real life, he’d seem unbelievable. Don’t you think?

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  7. I love the conclusion, Wynne, …when we leave space – by breaking from habit or routine or just doing something differently – it creates room for discovery. It’s so true but sometimes it’s hard to let one of our habit go! It’s like if it is a part of ourselves and we don’t want really change it. We should remember that eventually we can always come back.

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    1. I totally agree, Cristiana. So hard to let the habit go. For me, it actually takes me doing something like traveling to create that space because I’m really good at being consistent.

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  8. This is true. I discovered Spindrift because we were out exploring central Oregon one time, forgot to bring along water bottles, and stopped in a convenience store when we got thirsty. I’d never heard of Spindrift before. Now, I drink it practically every day. Proof that opening yourself up to new experiences – even unintentionally – can pay off.

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  9. We do the same when we go on our beach vacation near Santa Barbara. Our car is packed with everything because we don’t want to buy stuff there. I’ll have to remember your conclusion when we leave in a couple weeks.

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  10. There’s nothing wrong with over-preparing and planning, but of course, like we say in the military, no plan survives first contact. So, a little space to improvise and explore is always good.

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  12. Ha ha. I have started packing my own tea when I travel, Wynne. On our recent trip to California, I even went to Walmart and bought a small electric kettle. I hate the idea of paying $8-$10 for a cup of tea that isn’t half as good as what I can make myself.

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  13. Discovery by breaking routine–wow, I love this, Wynne! I’m very much a creature of habit, so will need to keep this in mind the next time I forget to pack something, or when things otherwise haven’t gone quite according to plan.

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  14. Oh my, you have no idea how this post resonates. I was thrown, okay, I went willingly, but still I had no idea what the hell I was getting myself into. But I learned I can survive without all the comforts of home, in fact, they can be distracting, and by the end of a very long week I felt raw, unruly, wild and oh so alive. Love this, hugs, C

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    1. “raw, unruly, wild and oh so alive. ” – Oh, I love this, Cheryl. We are going to have to podcast about RAGBRAI! I was talking to my friend, Eric, about your ride and although he hasn’t done it himself, he has friends that have. He mentioned the pork chops and I laughed because you had too. Love your comment!

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  16. Lol, we never know what amazing thing is to be discovered when we are open, and leave some space for newness! Love this post!

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  17. This morning my wife and I are packing up and heading home from our lake house in northern Michigan. When I arrived a month ago, there was no room in the car for anyone and the dog had only the front seat and part of the back seat. I have been home twice since we came here five weeks ago and taken things back and returned with new things. It would be nice to travel lightly, it would certainly reduce the clutter. We come back in ten days, but that’s another story… I am certain you made your days with your family count.

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  18. Oh, Wynn returning from a holiday, this really hit home for me as it is yet another beautiful reminder to let go and follow the flow of life. That is where the beautiful moments are waiting.

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  19. Packing for and with kids just feels like you’re packing for the end times. You just bring everything with you but inevitably forget something. I love your point about discovery through these times. It’s one of the joys of traveling!

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    1. Inevitably forget something – exactly right, Ab! I wonder if the probably with packing for kids is that we don’t want to buy another copy of something they are just about to grow out of.

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  20. Great perspective on leaving room for new discoveries. I recall making a packing list for one camping trip. Problem was I never updated it with the things we forgot. You guessed it. On the next camping trip I used the same list and ended up forgetting the same things again. Nothing like planned forgetfulness.

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    1. That’s hilarious, Chris! And so relatable. I frequently forget to pack socks because they are downstairs with the shoes and not upstairs with the clothes. And I’ve done it multiple times! 🙂

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  24. That is an exceptionally beautiful thought/discovery. (And now I kind of want to find and try that tea.)

    “What happened to the days when I could travel with just a toothbrush and passport?”–I did that once, on a trip from a tiny town in Austria to Munich, Germany. It was freeing. 🙂

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  25. Profound reminder on the importance of leaving space whether it be in the car or in your daily schedule. Intentional space is an important addition! 💞

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