By Eeshwa Jiwan.
Let’s start from the beginning. My parents had just moved to Delhi, and often, they felt homesick. For me, this meant road trips! I don’t even remember when they would start—I’d probably doze off, only to magically wake up at my grandparents' house.
But now, road trips require planning—lots of planning. Clothes, snacks, water, and music, to start with. After taking numerous trips, sometimes for work and sometimes for the allure of social media reels, I have come to appreciate the beauty of slow travel. We are often encouraged to see as much as possible quickly, ticking off destinations like items on a grocery list. We capture every moment on our phones, eager to post about it. But next time you feel the urge to photograph a tree, a mountain, or a lake, take a deep breath and just see with your eyes. That moment of stillness? That’s slow travel.
Slow travel is rooted in intention. It’s not just about the journey or the destination—it’s about how centered we feel throughout the experience. Often, ‘vacation mode’ is seen as a free pass to indulge, pushing us to seek adventure at a fast pace. But with slow travel, vacation mode becomes a way to relieve stress and foster deeper connections.
Slowing Down the Journey
The first step is to literally slow down. Opting for local transport, staying longer in one place, and experiencing a destination as a local rather than as a tourist are key principles. Choosing carbon-friendly options like trains, buses, or even cycling instead of frequent flights helps us become more conscious travelers. Imagine riding a local bus with open windows and grills, feeling the breeze against your face, instead of rushing through destinations in the sterile confines of an air-conditioned train compartment.
Embracing Authentic Experiences
One of the greatest aspects of slow travel is the opportunity for authentic cultural experiences. The best moments often come from unexpected encounters - sharing a smile with a fellow traveler, exchanging greetings with a tea shop owner, or partaking in a local festival. No AI-generated itinerary can truly capture the serendipity of immersing yourself in a place’s traditions, cuisine, and daily life. You might even end up learning a new language or making lifelong friends.
Packing smartly also plays a role in slow travel. You want your luggage to be light yet convenient. Choose versatile pieces, breathable fabrics suitable for the climate. Neutral colors are practical, but if you love pops of color, embrace them! Slow travel doesn’t hinder your excitement—it enhances it, making every moment more meaningful.
A Sustainable Way to Explore
Slow travel is not a modern trend but a rediscovery of an age-old way of exploring. Before planes and fast trains, people moved at the pace of the earth—walking, riding, or sailing long distances. But they also traveled with a sense of curiosity, openness, and deep gratitude for every moment along the way.
Maybe it’s time we return to that rhythm—letting the wind guide us, the road surprises us, and our choices reflect our values.
So wherever your next journey takes you, move slowly, breathe deeply, and wear what feels like home. Discover consciously crafted, travel-friendly pieces at Mṛjā—curated for the wanderer, rooted in earth.
