Since arriving back in Canberra I have had a little extra time off before I return to work on the 31st of August. The travel was incredible, and there are things from my trip that I hope to keep up now that I am home.
What we focus on, we amplify
I slowed down while I walked, taking the time to notice everything from the heritage buildings to the street art along the way. I am trying to bring this into my life at home. Stopping to notice the sunlight through the trees, the sculpture or a beautiful garden. It helps to grow the gratitude about the city that we get to live in.
The benefits of fresh food
Nothing will beat the tomatoes of San Lazzaro, but I am going to do my best to grow some. In the meantime, I have been exploring local markets and taking more time for slow food cooking. Chatting to stall-holders about the best flour for pasta and trying to convince neighbours of my Dad for their tomato seedlings.
This is definitely a privilege of being on leave, but the experiments in the kitchen have been quite delicious and motivating me to try some new recipes.
My garden bed has been built, a few winter friendly plants into the ground. There is something about hands in the dirt feeling very therapeutic.
Daily journaling
I kept a daily journal while I was away, sometimes as a way to remember all the things I did, sometimes to consider those big questions that solo travel throws up when you don’t have your best friend nearby to work through them. Sitting quietly each day and writing whatever comes to mind, finding the gratitude moments and spilling the random thoughts onto the page. I have created space with the comfy chair and blanket, perfect for continuing daily practice.
10,000 steps
I walked everywhere I could, the biggest day being 26,000 steps on one of the Amalfi hikes. My body loves to move and my brain appreciates it, so I am going to try and do it more each day. I have already been tackling some of the local walks, and I am keeping a list of others that I can do in the future. There may even be a Camino there in the future.
Talk to people
Striking up conversation with everyone from the waiters, my train-seat companion and the women that I met at happy hour in the hotel added to the richness of my trip. I went to lunch with people from the Roman Forum tour, dinner with people from the morning hike. I enjoyed those brief conversations, learned things about where people came from and got tips for places to see. I didn’t have my social network so I needed to create one. Many people in our community don’t have one. Those small interactions can mean a lot to people, and sometimes we get to make a new friend in the process. Conversation is a good antidote for loneliness.
Be anxious and do it anyway
I was so anxious about this trip. I worried about things that would never happen, about things that could happen and everything in between. In the end, I missed no trains, I came back with my wallet, phone and passport, and I coped just fine being alone overseas. I thrived. I thought about cancelling many times before I boarded the first plane, and I am so glad I went.
Be anxious, feel it, manage the important risks, and do it anyway.
Thank you.
I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me have this time off – my work colleagues for looking after my patients, my patients for understanding why I needed the break, my family for looking after home and my friends for listening to my travel anxiety, helping me plan and liking my social media while I was away. My dog forgiving me for leaving her.
And thank you for understanding that it is something I plan to do more of, the bucket list keeps expanding.
Dr Kerrie Aust 