Elevate Your Daily Routine With Wanderlust

Our homes can transform the mundane into the magical with less effort than you think! For those of us fueled by wanderlust, infusing travel-inspired decor and practices into our daily routines creates spaces that nurture creativity and balance.

Let’s explore a few ideas for drawing inspiration from travel and using it to level up life at home.

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Morning Moments: Start Your Day with Global Rituals

Mornings don’t have to be rushed. In many countries, mornings are sacred. They are a moment to breathe, set intentions, and welcome the day.

Since adopting quiet mornings—a habit of spending the first hour of my day in silence—I’ve found that I look forward to getting out of bed and have better control of my mornings.

If silence scares you, here are a few global morning rituals to inspire you to take back your day.

Japanese “Shinrin-Yoku” (Forest Bathing)

In Japan, there’s a practice called shinrin-yoku, which means “forest bathing.” This isn’t about bathing but immersing yourself in nature’s sights, sounds, and smells. The idea is to take slow, mindful walks in a natural setting, allowing the calming energy of the earth to relax and restore you.

Luckily, you don’t need a forest to embrace this practice. If you live near a park or have a backyard, try walking in the morning without distractions. Leave your phone and headphones behind, breathe deeply, and let the natural world guide your thoughts. Ten to fifteen minutes of this mindful walking can set a serene tone for the day ahead.

Savor Your Coffee Like the French

The French are known for savoring their food and drink, including their morning coffee. Anecdotally, instead of rushing through breakfast, they often take the time to sit at a café or in their kitchen, sipping their coffee slowly and enjoying breakfast.

This ritual is not about eating but about slowing down. It’s about starting the day with intention and enjoyment.

Make your morning coffee something to look forward to. Find a comfortable spot in your home, preferably by a window, and take 10 minutes to sit and savor.

Let yourself enjoy every sip without rushing. For an added French touch, play some soft music, like a café playlist, and allow yourself a moment of quiet luxury. You’ll be amazed at how much this little detail shifts the energy of your day.

Indian Yoga and Mindful Breathing

In India, many begin their day with yoga and meditation to center themselves before the day’s challenges. Yoga isn’t just about physical movement—it’s a way to align your body and mind through breathing and intention.

I am not telling you to enroll in the nearest yoga studio or giving you carte blanche to curate a new yoga clothing collection. You don’t need to spend a dime on this one.

Studies show that just 8 minutes of movement in the morning can lower the risk of heart disease and early death.

Dedicate eight to fifteen minutes daily to simple yoga stretches and breathing exercises. There are plenty of beginner videos online to guide you. Focus on deep breathing to regulate yourself, especially if you haven’t slept well.

Minty Moroccan Morning: Sip Mint Tea with Intention

Moroccan mint tea is a staple in daily life, often prepared and enjoyed with intention and grace.

Brewing loose-leaf tea is almost meditative, and sipping slowly with loved ones brings a sense of community and peace.

You don’t need to limit yourself to mint tea. Explore different tea blends as you create a morning ritual. The discoveries will add to the authenticity and enjoyment of the process.

This is a great ritual to share with a loved one. Let the preparation process be slow and deliberate. Use a special teapot or cup to make it feel distinct from your usual routine. Keep electronics locked away until the last sip has been shared.

Enjoy the calm that comes with slowing down your morning.

You can read more about my favorite morning routines from around the world here.

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Workspace Makeover: Bring the World to Your Desk

If you spend most of your day at a desk, you know how important it is to create an inspiring workspace. Travel can breathe new life into the space where most of us feel stressed or bogged down.

Global touches can make your workspace more dynamic and engage your mind, helping you feel connected to the world beyond your to-do list.

Add a Woven Touch from a Beloved Country

Mexico is known for its vibrant textiles and handwoven goods, such as colorful serapes, rebozos, and intricate embroidery that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Morocco is renowned for its luxurious textiles, including beautifully patterned rugs, colorful kilims, and handwoven blankets, often crafted with bold geometric designs and earthy tones.

Italy is famous for its fine linens, delicate lacework, and sumptuous fabrics like silk and velvet, reflecting centuries of artisanal craftsmanship.

The country that inspires you probably has a distinct textile to offer. To add color and comfort to your workspace, place a runner, throw in a blanket, or place a pillow in a chosen textile.

You can also frame tapestries as art or wrap your notebooks in them.

Tactile memories of places we’ve been can often transport us out of an inbox spiral faster than any mindfulness technique.  

Adopt Minimalist Japanese Design

The Japanese principle of wabi-sabi celebrates simplicity, imperfection, and natural beauty. This principle can be translated into your workspace with simple, clean lines and meaningful objects.

Start by decluttering your office. Create as much negative space – that is, open space as possible. My simple design rule is that you should see 60 percent of any horizontal surface and 70 percent of any vertical surface.

Once your space is clear, choose one or two minimalist items for your desk, such as a Japanese ceramic cup or a handcrafted wood pen holder. These small but meaningful items will help clear mental clutter, reminding you to focus on what’s important while keeping your space elegant.

Bring in Some Greenery

Moroccan homes often feature lush greenery, from simple potted plants to sprawling indoor gardens. Adding plants to your workspace brightens the room, purifies the air, and provides a calming focal point.

Place a potted plant or succulent in a global-inspired ceramic pot on your desk. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, start small with low-maintenance plants like aloe vera or a peace lily. They add a touch of nature and are proven to reduce stress and improve concentration.

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A Little Self-Care, Wanderlust Style

We often wait for self-care—maybe during a spa day or vacation. But what if we made it part of our everyday lives? By incorporating global-inspired self-care rituals, you can add a bit of magic to your routine.

Create a Hammam Spa Experience at Home

In Morocco, the hammam is a traditional bathhouse where people go to cleanse, exfoliate, and unwind. By transforming your bathroom into a sanctuary, you can recreate this luxurious experience at home.

Start by warming your bathroom with steam from the shower. Then, use a black soap and exfoliating glove to cleanse your skin vigorously. Finish with a moisturizing oil infused with argan or rosewater, both popular in Moroccan beauty rituals.

This is a perfect way to unwind after a long day and only adds ten minutes to your shower time.

French Evening Skincare Routine

French women are known for their minimalist yet indulgent skincare routines.

Invest in high-quality skincare products, like a rich moisturizer or a gentle cleansing oil.

At night, take ten minutes to slowly cleanse your face, massaging the products into your skin while appreciating the moment of calm. Dim the lights, sit in front of a mirror, and admire all your little details as you massage your skin.

Burning a lavender-scented candle and playing gentle music in the background earns you bonus points. Make this ritual an act of love rather than just another task before bed.

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Dining Around the World: Turn Your Meals Into an Experience

One of the simplest ways to bring the world home is through food. A meal is never just a meal—it can be an event, an adventure, and a way to connect with other cultures.

Recreate a Spanish Tapas Night

Tapas are small, flavorful dishes commonly served as appetizers or snacks in Spanish cuisine. They can be hot or cold and are often enjoyed with drinks, especially wine or beer, in social settings.

In short, tapas are about connection and conversation.

Invite friends or family for a tapas night. Serve small plates like patatas bravas, olives, and jamón, and fill your table with colorful Spanish ceramics.

Add a chilled glass of sangria, and you’ll feel like you’re dining in a cozy Spanish bodega.

Italian Alfresco Dining

In Italy, dining outdoors is a way of life. It’s about enjoying simple, delicious food surrounded by loved ones while the world passes by.

Incorporating this ritual into your daily life couldn’t be simpler – eat outside! It can be as simple as taking your dinner plate to your front porch.

If you want to be fancy, set a table for an outdoor dinner. Serve a simple pasta dish, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy the evening air. Hang string lights or lanterns to create a warm ambiance, and imagine you’re in a small Italian village.

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Staycation Weekends: Create a Boutique Hotel Experience at Home

Sometimes, we really just need to get away to escape the daily grind. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.

The good news (and the entire purpose of my blog) is that you don’t have to go far to enjoy travel.

For a quick fix, embrace the art of a staycation. You can create an immersive, travel-inspired experience that allows you to unwind and recharge without packing a suitcase.

I have written a detailed guide on Crafting the Perfect Staycation and a Fall Staycation Guide for you to read. Check them out and tell me what you think.

The most important step to making your staycation feel like an escape is disconnecting from the noise of all your obligations.

Disconnect to Reconnect

Take a break from technology to make your staycation meaningful. Use the weekend (or week) to reconnect with yourself, your space, and your loved ones.

• Set your phone to Do Not Disturb, and limit social media use.
• Replace screen time with activities that soothe your soul, such as journaling, meditating, or reading a book you’ve meant to start.
• If you’re spending the staycation with family or friends, plan tech-free games or storytelling to bring everyone together.

“Travel is more than just a trip; it’s a mindset that can transform how we experience even the most ordinary moments. By incorporating global inspiration into your daily routine, you can infuse your life with the magic of travel without ever leaving home. Start with one simple change today, and let the transformation begin!”

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