JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR A DREAM VACATION
5 Journal Prompts to Manifest Your most perfect Vacation
If you’re like me, you spend a lot of your free time gathering travel inspiration: reading listicles of “must-see destinations,” flipping through magazines and building vision boards using photos I find of natural wonders, luxe hotels and soothing spas. It’s all seductive enough to forget that wherever you go, there you are...hear me out.
To set meaningful intentions and manifest effectively, one must reflect on past experiences, so I’ve also spent time reflecting on what made my previous travels memorable and meaningful (or maybe not so much) and how I can manifest so that future trips are equally indelible experiences, if not more so.
My work has allowed me the privilege of visiting some of the dreamiest hotels in stunning destinations around the world. Yet, even when I’m in the midst of a “pinch-me” moment, the happiness I felt often fell short of my expectations - an ephemeral bliss that left me wanting more. Yet, when I found myself in destinations I set a soul-driven intention to see, I felt utterly content in my travels -- and that feeling has staying power.
As you visualize your next vacation, follow the five journal prompts below before you begin to actually plan your trip and revisit them before you embark as a reminder of your true desires. I promise, when you arrive at your destination, you will experience a bliss that lasts well beyond your departure.
Before you begin, I recommend you practice a short meditation. Sit quietly and be present in the moment, focusing on your breath for five minutes. Release all preconceived notions you might have and tune into your heart. The following prompts are suggestions to get your imagination buzzing, but it’s up to you to get creative. This is all about manifesting YOUR perfect trip!
When I wake up to the first full day of my trip, what is the sound I hear that brings a smile to my face? Is it birds chirping in a forest? Waves crashing on a beach? The bustle of a busy city waking up to a new day? The smell of coffee and freshly-baked treats from a nearby cafe? Use your imagination!
It’s the first full day of my well-earned vacation, I’m looking forward to spending it by __________ (sleeping in, reading by the pool, strolling city streets, meeting locals, trying new foods, etc.) Tune into your heart and think about why this is how you’d like to kick off your trip.
I’m winding down my first full day of vacation, getting ready for bed and I feel __________ (full from a decadent meal, excited by the things I learned, relaxed after a day of pampering, etc.) Visualize who you spent the day with — if the vision is hazy or nonspecific, it might be the perfect time for a solo trip!
If you have a specific destination in mind, make a list of all the sights and spots others have recommended to you about that place, including places you’ve read about. Now, circle only the ones you truly want to see, and release the ones you feel you should see.
You just returned from your vacation and are back at work. Your colleagues ask you what the best part of your trip was, and you say __________ (re-connecting with loved ones, unplugging from electronics, learning about history, finishing your favorite book, getting a daily massage, etc.) Again, round the manifestation out by tapping into why these experiences were the highlights.