Travel has always been a key part of Rustico’s foundation and it closely relates to our purpose. Through the products we create and our company values, we aim to inspire others to step outside and reach within; to explore and create. We are excited to introduce a new product that will help you plan, document, and reflect on the exploring you do: The Globetrotter Travel Journal. This templated journal will both guide you and give you control in how you record your journey. Keep reading for some tips on how to keep your own travel journal.
The Why
Why keep a travel journal? The simple answer is that photos don’t capture feelings. Words are much more. Journaling will allow you to remember more and reflect more on your experiences. If you travel solo occasionally, you won’t have the luxury of asking someone questions to jog your memory to fill in missing details. As time goes on, a journal becomes your own means of time travel.
Many times we are so focused on the future we don’t let ourselves be in the moment fully. Journaling is a great way to allow time for focusing on the present. In fact, we must live in the moment while we are documenting our travel experiences if we intend to capture all the details and raw emotion.
It can also be easy to fall into thinking that you won’t have spare moments to journal while traveling. While your itinerary is likely packed full, there will be time here and there to devote to journaling. Journaling during transit between destinations or right before getting into bed can be just the time you need to get thoughts and feelings onto paper.
Planning
You may think journaling doesn’t begin until you arrive at your destination but, the truth is, you can start writing while you are in the planning phase of your trip. The first section of the Globetrotter is for planning. Maybe you’ve talked to friends or family about specific sites to see or foods to try—write these down. In this phase, take the time to jot down a simple itinerary for each day, a packing list, where you’ll be staying, a list of to-dos before the trip, and common translations for basic communication.
Planning is a fun process because it builds excitement for your upcoming adventures; it is also a great time for the basic organization of your trip. You’ll be glad you took the time to plan ahead on paper and not rely on keeping a mental agenda.
Documenting
The documentation portion will be the heart of your travel journal. Be sure to take plenty of space to write about your experiences as they are fresh. If you feel inclined, you can sketch throughout this section and paste photos as well. You can really journal however you want, but you might value your entries more later on if you make sure to document your interactions, observations, and gather some small items to paste within. Throughout your trip, you can gather stickers, stamps, postcards, and tickets to collage onto the pages. These small bits and pieces will add a personal touch to your journal and be great physical reminders of your experiences.
A unique feature of the Globetrotter is the included keepsake envelopes. The keepsake envelopes are used to hold small mementos from your trip, such as boarding passes, restaurant napkins, business cards, wine labels, and currency. These envelopes adhere to the kraft pages within the journal and this keeps everything all in one place.
To do your best documentation, there aren’t many supplies you need to bring along in addition to the journal itself, but don’t forget a quality writing instrument. If you plan on adhering small items in your journal, you can also bring along a glue stick or washi tape. That about covers it.
Reflecting
According to John C. Maxwell, “Experience alone does not add value to a life. It’s not necessarily experience that is valuable, it’s the insight people gain because of their experience.” This statement is very applicable to traveling. In many ways, reflecting is the most important aspect of journaling. Not only do you get to process your thoughts, but this phase allows you to take a moment to pause. In this portion of the journal, the Globetrotter prompts you to record trip highlights, such as top experiences, things to see next time, and how the trip changed your perspective. When you reflect on your journey, you’ll be able to see how you’ve grown as a person.
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Keeping a travel journal will be a valuable experience as well as priceless documentation to look back on years down the road. Plus, in the future when your cousin asks you where you had the best crepes in Paris two years ago, you’ll have the answer. See the Globetrotter Travel Journal here in an exclusive gift set perfect for the traveler in your life.
If you aren’t sure where to travel next, click here to get some ideas of where to go and when. Safe travels!
