Motivation. Inspiration. A reminder of what we’re striving for.
We all have it — especially when it comes to our travel goals.
For some people, it’s a photo or trinket from the place they want to visit, tacked up above their desks or hanging on their fridges. For others, it’s watching the digits in their savings accounts or the amount of coins in their piggy banks grow. And still others cross off calendar days, counting down to that big “X” or star that symbolizes the beginning of their next adventure.
We all have these rituals or objects to remind us of our dreams. They serve as both motivation and inspiration to help us get where we want to be; to help us persevere; to remind us that, yes, our dreams can become reality.
I’ve crossed off the calendar days, emptied the piggy banks, and even salivated over the photos of far-off places.
But the object that served as my first true bit of travel motivation was even simpler than all that — it was a piece of home-made jewelry.
My junior year of high school, I fell in love.
Not with a boy or band or anything like that, but with a place — New Zealand.
I was obsessed with Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and dreamed of someday getting to see the stunning landscapes that starred as the backdrop of the films in person. I was determined that I would visit New Zealand — sooner, rather than later.
I made a pact with myself that I would go to New Zealand after I graduated high school in 2005.
For my next birthday, my uncle (who lives in Perth, Australia), sent me a birthday card with some New Zealand money in it. A few $20 bills, and a handful of coins. It was my favorite gift that year, and not just because it was practical.
It meant that my dream trip would eventually become a reality. Suddenly, it was much more real.
I took one of those coins — the $1 coin with New Zealand’s iconic kiwi bird on the back — and had my dad drill a hole in it so I could wear it as a necklace. A constant reminder of my dream.
It’s still one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.
Soon after, I got a part-time job. I began squirrling away money in a savings account. And I collected anything and everything having to do with New Zealand (or “Lord of the Rings”) to serve as further motivation.
Whenever I would be tempted to splurge or skip a week of depositing money into my savings account, I would (almost subconsciously) put my kiwi necklace on as a reminder of what I was working toward. I didn’t really NEED that new CD or shirt, after all — what I needed were those snow-capped mountains and rolling, sheep-dotted hills of New Zealand.
Now having been to New Zealand twice (and with a third visit swiftly approaching), I still like to wear this necklace of mine every now and then. The coin isn’t shiny anymore, but faded. The strings are fraying.
But it doesn’t matter. For me, it’s still my travel motivation.
Do you have any objects or rituals that serve or have served as YOUR travel motivation? Tell me about them!
Hi Amanda…cool post. Always fun to read about dreams fulfilled.
Cheers.
Mike’s Road Trip recently posted..The eclectic town of Jerome- Arizona
Thanks! Really glad you enjoyed it.
Love it!
and that necklace looks freaking awesome!hahaha!
my travel motivation comes in the fact I wear shorts and flip flops 247…even in the snow…with the constant push to head somewhere warmer that make that attire a bit more practical…that and the fact I can get rid of my wetsuit and make use of the bloody expensive ripcurl mirage boardies my brother bought me!!!!
….i may have to steal your necklace idea tho
Steal away! (My idea, that is… haha).
I don’t think I could possibly do shorts and flip-flops everyday, though! I get cold wayyyyy too easily. But that does sound like a pretty good motivator to keep chasing the warm weather!
The novelty idea of turning a Kiwi dollar into a necklace – I love it!
My object, like yours, sprang from New Zealand. It’s my Hei Matau – a fish-hook shaped Maori pendant – that is suppose to grant its wearer safe travels across land and sea. Before anyone accuses me of pretentiously styling myself the way clichey backpackers do with their cheap Maori necklaces, mine was actually given to me by my dad prior to my flying home to London after staying with my parents in their Auckland home. It’s the ultimate symbol of the traveller, but, more importantly, it consists of my dad’s recognition that I’m a traveller and his blessing that keeps the Hei Matau held dear to my heart. I’ve had it for over three years now – I’ve worn it around my neck every day since I got given it.
Dylan recently posted..Fuck you- Ryanair
What a great story, Dylan! And I’m sure the fact that it was given to you by your dad makes it all the more special to you. Plus, that’s the way Maori pendants (especially the jade ones) are supposed to work anyway – they’re supposed to be given as gifts, not bought in a souvenir shop. (The being said, though, I bought about 3 or 4 different ones when I was living in NZ… they’re beautiful!)
What great motivation to travel! For me, it is something simple like a guidebook of the place I want to go. I always carry it with me to work and take a few minutes each day to read. I try to read it cover to cover before I even leave for my destination.
Jeremy B recently posted..National Parks Week – Thank you John Muir
Yours sounds like a good motivator, too! Plus, not only will it help you get excited about your trip, but, by the time you go, you should know all there is to know about your destination if you’ve spent the time reading the whole guidebook!
Uh oh. Can’t you get in trouble for altering money like that?? (Better watch out!) Haha
Very cool post…but I honestly can’t say I have anything like that. For me, I’m much more of a spontaneous decision maker. Someone will tell me about a place, or I’ll see a cool picture somewhere and BAM, that is where I’m going next!
Although (thanks to you, primarily!), New Zealand has moved up my list. I’m an LOTR nerd too!
Dalene – Hecktic Travels recently posted..Music Festival Mania – A Photo Essay
Haha, no one alert the NZ government! (
)
And yay for a fellow LotR nerd! I hope you get to visit Middle-Earth someday, too. (And so cool that I’ve helped New Zealand move up your travel list! That makes me really happy.)
What a neat story. Although I forget about it easily, I have a keychain that I got on my first trip to Germany over 15 years ago. It is a green and black knotted thing, somewhat ship oriented. I bought it at a tourist shop on the docks in Hamburg on my first summer abroad there. I still have and use it. I vaguely remember going to the store every few days for a long time on the trip. I don’t remember exactly why, but I was hesitant to get the keychain. If it was a money thing or a general distaste of souvenirs even then, I just remember going back and forth. Now I am very happy that I still have it. Though it has been in my pocket for so long I sometimes forget where it actually came from. Thanks for the memory.
I love the last picture.
Andrew recently posted..Bicycle Commuter
So glad I could bring back a good memory for you, Andy. Sometimes it’s just those little things that we end up keeping with us for so long that can bring back the best memories. Those are my favorite sorts of souvenirs – the practical ones that still mean something, even years later.
And thanks for the photo compliment. I had a fun little photo shoot with my new camera the other day.
Amanda, I started a new job this week. My office is actually at the airport (although I work in health care…go figure)…in fact we take our coffee breaks at the airport terminal. On my desk when I arrived were the usual office implements and a couple of items left from the last user…including a New Zealand Lonely Planet. I thought of you when I saw it. Hmmm…left behind LP and quick access to the departure lounge…perhaps not a good combo for a wanderlust filled traveler such as myself! Cheers!
Gillian @OneGiantStep recently posted..Taking A Small Bite Out Of The Big Apple
Hahaha, clearly your new job is sending you a sign – that you need to travel to New Zealand ASAP!!
I carry a print picture of a photo that I took with a disposable camera in Cassis when I was 16–at the time, I thought it was the most beautiful place in the world. I haven’t been back since then, but I almost don’t want to ruin it–although it reminds me to keep looking for the most beautiful place in the world. Plus, it’s just a pretty photo to have with me–it’s taped up above my bed in Australia right now
Christine recently posted..Postcard from Hosier Lane
Aww, that sounds like a great reminder to carry around with you, Christine! Photos usually end up being some of my favorite souvenirs from the places I travel to.
The horizon ~
What more motivation or inspiration do you need than wondering what lies over that next horizon?
Linda ~ Journey Jottings recently posted..Natural Bridge- Springbrook- Queensland Photo Friday
Good one, Linda! The horizon (especially one I’ve never seen before) definitely sparks some curiosity in me.
Got a fortune cookie my first month of college that read, “You will travel and come into fortune.” Seven years, 26 (well, 27 as of tomorrow) countries and countless memories later, I’m still on the road!
Awesome!!! What a perfect fortune!
What a lovely post. It is reading things like this that give me inspiration to travel. And looking through all my travel photos just makes me want to jump on a plane to the next inspiring, beautiful or sunny destination I can find!
Monica recently posted..Climbing Mount Kinabalu – Day 2
Thank you, Monica.
And I agree about photos – the pictures I take on my travels not only serve as great memories, but also great travel inspiration. I love looking back at old trips every now and then, and then dreaming up new ones!
This is a great post and, in fact, something that I was just thinking I needed to find. At the moment I am feeling overwhelmed with trying to do everything. So I was just thinking that I needed to find something to keep me motivated. Now I am on a mission. . .
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..Beautiful Bavaria
Having some sort of motivation – whether large or small – can definitely help! I hope you find yours soon. Don’t get too overwhelmed!
Love the necklace, very cool. Your mention of LOTR actually brings up a big motivation for me; books, movies and television. Every time I watch Amelie I want to board the next flight to Paris.
Alouise recently posted..Traveling Isn’t That Hard
Totally agree, Alouise – books, movies and TV shows definitely serve as motivation for me, too! And Amelie is a great movie!
What a great necklace, it’s adorable!
I guess I don’t really have one thing that I use, right now it’s just a bunch of photos from places I’ve visited.
Before I went to Australia the first time I was at one of those ceramic painting places with my niece (I never know what to make!) and I happened across a cute little license plate design with a couples wedding date and names and some little ceramic ornaments glued on. I decided that I’d make one for Australia complete with flip flops and sunglasses and a beach scene painted on the license plate behind “Australia”… that sat above my bed until the day I left! Maybe I should dig that out next time I’m at my mom’s house!
Annie recently posted..The Luck of the Irish- Which I Didn’t Find
Aww, your ceramic license plate sounds adorable, too! I can definitely see how that could work as a great bit of travel motivation.
I had no idea so many people would love my necklace! Haha, thanks!
Loved reading about your motivation. You were really driven and succeeded! Some people think that travel isn’t achievable but your post just proves them wrong!
Elise recently posted..The Authority In Travel Interview With Jeanine
Thanks, Elise! And yes, many people think that they can’t travel — that it’s too expensive or dangerous or difficult. But, the truth is, if you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen.