Thomas Leeper: Myrtle Beach and Slowing Down

While Thomas Leeper was in Myrtle Beach, taking some time off from the fast and grueling pace of Wall Street, he decided to travel the world. This experience was more than just a life-changing moment, of course, as it taught him a crucial lesson even for traveling—that is, the importance of taking a breather and slowing down.

Traveling is fun, but you very rarely get to do it at no expense. For this reason, it’s only natural that you’d want to experience as much of the world as you can, given the limits of your time and other resources. But stuffing your itinerary full with activities is the wrong way to travel and is usually counterproductive.

If you’re going on a tour, you’d notice that there are certain segments in your itinerary when nothing in particular is planned. If you’re on a short trip, you can take this time to linger and do nothing but savor the experience. On a longer trip, you can take this time to do your laundry or catch up on emails. You may also take the time to go off the beaten path and explore on your own, but don’t go anywhere too unfamiliar. Alternatively, you can stop, rest, and do nothing all day.

Unless you’re traveling for business, you’re likely traveling to take time off the hustle and bustle of everyday life, much like Thomas Leeper was in Myrtle Beach. You’d want to have fun and to experience something different from what you’ve been used to. If you fill your itinerary with so many things to do, then you’re likely to go home as exhausted and as stressed as you usually are. Your journey will have been in vain.

When you travel, give yourself ample time to slow down. Remember that the experience is as much about what you do as it is about what you don’t do. Traveling is a chance at a change of pace, so take it.