Traveling with Intention by Joe Metcalfe

Two years traveling now. I’d like to share my evolution with you, and how my intentions during travel have changed.

I want to show you how being intentional with your own travels can make your next trip more fulfilling and enjoyable.

From the time I was 21, until I quit my job to travel at 31, I worked non-stop. Sales and real estate.

In an 11 year period my two longest vacations were 15 days (Peru and Australia). All other vacations during those 11 years were seven days max, but usually just “long weekends.”

I was living “The American Dream,” the pursuit of happiness as they say. I was chasing material things. Even more than material, I chased approval and recognition from others.

Despite my travel lifestyle now, I’m grateful to have experienced that way of life in my 20’s. I became wiser and I grew as a person. I also met many mentors and true friends along the way.

But I finally I broke free from the chains that came with the “material success lifestyle.” I’m now a World Wanderer. I’ll always be a World Wanderer, even when I settle back in the United States.

However, my intentions have changed over time as a World Wanderer. Each one has been different, yet meaningful to the growth within my life.

The Three Modes of My Travel Evolution:

First mode:

When I set off for Colombia in October of 2015 I was in “Freedom, Fun, and Travel as a Way of Life” mode.

As I said, I just left an 11 year career of dedicated work, along with a lot of weekend partying to blow off steam.  I had no idea about the possibility of long-term travel or how wonderful it can be.

The first seven months in South America opened my eyes. I realized budget travel is real. I was burnt out from work and sales.  I celebrated my new found freedom. All that mattered was to explore South America and meet new people along the way.

This intention (or theme) of “Freedom, Fun and Travel as a New Way of Life” is the most common for newbie long-term travelers wandering abroad.

Bravo to you if are already there!  Those of you trying to get there, it’s worth the pursuit, the sacrifice. Keep planning, keep saving.  You’ll find the means, the “how” will find you.

Second Mode:

However, as months went on and money unfortunately not growing on palm trees (the coconuts are an acceptable substitute though), I had to re-align my intentions. I no longer could have the intention of ONLY “fun and freedom” (Notice the emphasis on “only”).

So the 2nd mode of my trip occurred in Southeast Asia. I spent one month in Indonesia and then six in Vietnam. My theme for Vietnam was “Do The Work” inspired by Steven Pressfield’s excellent book, Do The Work.

After that first 45 days of traveling throughout Indonesia and Vietnam, I decided to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for the remaining five months. I started to draft my first book, The Inner Peace Experiment in the States before arriving. My goal was to complete and publish the book in Vietnam.

Now, I didn’t get to explore as much of Vietnam as I liked, but I enjoyed my stay in Ho Chi Minh just as much, if not more than my constant backpacking and exploring of South America.

Why?  For one I was in alignment with my intention: I was working on my bliss, my book.

Also, by living in one city for five months I was able to lay down roots. I got to know restaurant owners, I befriended the locals. I created lifelong friendships with many people in Saigon.

There was a cross-fit group at a park that held workouts five days a week. Being with this group brought so much joy and friendship into my life (it also brought a lot of aches and pains to my body as well).

When people ask me how Vietnam was, I joke, “Well the coffee shops were really nice.” My life was the book during the day, and CrossFit workouts at night.

But by traveling slow and staying in one place to “do the work,” I realized an additional theme of travel: Relationships. Laying down roots in one place created everlasting moments for me in Vietnam.

Third Mode:

Today, I’m in India. The theme for this trip is “Spirituality and Inner Peace.”

India is a land of many religions and philosophies. I’m soaking in each one, learning of its traditions, its people and how it can help someone gain more inner peace.

My intention of this trip has given me a clear direction on what to do and see. The same was the case of South America’s theme “Freedom and Fun,” and Vietnam’s “Do The Work.”

What’s the theme for your next travel adventure?

It might be freedom and fun, or to just embrace uncertainty and surrender to the present moment. To go with the flow.

It might be something more structured, like building a remote business while you travel, to start a travel blog or podcast. Maybe your book is waiting to be written.

Maybe it’s spiritual, maybe it’s historical, maybe it involves your family abroad.

The more clarity you have on your travel intentions, the more fulfilling your trip will be. I’ve experienced this to be true.

Another cool thing is this..

You’ll start to see things unfold which you didn’t plan that align perfectly with your original intentions. It’s the Universe’s stage lights lighting up, acknowledging that you’re on stage, ready to act…

With intention.    

Try it out for yourself. It’s magical.


Joe Metcalfe is the author of The Inner Peace Experiment. He’s been traveling around the world for the last 2 years. He’s traveled through South America, South East Asia, Italy and India.

Joe was in real estate investing and sales for 11 years before quitting his job to travel. He’s been writing on his personal blog, joemetcalfe.net for over five years where he strives to help others through his writing. He writes about his adventures not only in travel, but also self-improvement, mindfulness, and ways to overcome stress to find more inner peace.

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