Embracing Slow Travel and Letting Go of FOMO
We’ve all heard of FOMO—but travel FOMO is a real thing in today’s day and age. One scroll through Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest, and suddenly you’re overwhelmed by how much there is to see. What was meant to be a relaxing vacation turns into a checklist chase and a push for likes.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple mindset shifts, you can learn to embrace slow travel, instead of making your journey a long to-do list.
>> This post is part of a Mindset Shift Series, read the introduction here <<
The Impact of Social Media on Travel Expectations
Traveling for Likes vs. Traveling for Yourself
We began taking vacations internationally and documenting it in 2016. Since then, a lot of what has motivated us has been to explore the world and share it to inspire others to do the same. Visiting places we wouldn’t have, had we not been on a mission to see and do it all—to check off bucket list items that were created for a reason.
>> Get your eSIM HERE to make sure you have data while you’re traveling <<
But in that pursuit, social media can often make you feel like you’re somehow falling short if you’re not doing it all. We witnessed and experienced firsthand how easy traveling nowadays can become about doing things just to say it was done, rather than to enjoy the moment itself.
Our Shift to Slow Travel: Choosing Meaning Over Momentum
Why We Started Traveling Differently
When we began our full-time adventures in 2022, becoming a content creator or traveling to create content solely was never a priority for us.
Our goal while traveling was to explore, connect with new people, and immerse ourselves in new experiences simply for the joy of it and to be fully present in each moment.
To do something different for our current and future selves. To essentially embrace “slow travel” as many people we’ve met call it (click here for one of our book recommendations on the topic). This meant, not moving from country to country every week, but instead; exploring each fully. At our own pace.
Tip: Slow travel is a great way to save money as it eliminates big transportation costs.
Capturing Moments Without Being Consumed by Them
Capturing what we could along the way was something we were intentional about. So we took our camera, drone, and other equipment with us everywhere we went. However, we tried our best to not let it consume us; instead let it be a way to practice and enjoy some of our hobbies.
Note: There were still moments where we caught ourselves feeling like we had to check off a box or follow the algorithm. These served as reminders to recalibrate and focus on the reasons we chose to travel to begin with.
Not Everyone Travels the Same: And That’s Okay
Fast Travel Isn’t Bad—Just Make It Intentional
Now this isn’t to discourage anyone from fast-paced travel, whose mission is to see everything and go everywhere. Whether it’s for content creation or pure personal accomplishment, we’ve met many on a mission who have the desire and energy to do it, and have occasionally been that traveler ourselves. These people are often intentional about their trips, so they are not who we’re talking about.
What we are suggesting is that if you’re not that person and don’t have those intentions, don’t be pressured to travel that way.
Tip: Before going on a trip, set your intentions. What are you traveling for? Is it to relax, explore, disconnect, or create content? This will help you make the most of your time away.
How to Slow Down and Give Yourself Permission to Miss Out
Letting Go of the Pressure to Do It All
Shifting your mindset from “I have to see and do it all” to being okay with missing out can actually be the best part of travel. Many still remember what it felt like to travel that way, before the world of technology took over and everything became so instant and shareable.
Benefits of Traveling Slowly
Moving slow throughout our adventure also gave us the ability to feel calmer and more present. It allowed us to stop thinking about where “next” was all the time and instead fully enjoy where we were in that moment.
We tried to explore each place and connect with the people we met on a deeper level, without having to rush the experience. We took on the mindset that whatever we missed wasn’t our experience to be had in the first place.
Note: Kelvyn has always been great with embracing the slow flow, whereas I had to put down the itinerary and learn how to appreciate it. It was difficult, but having a mixture of both mindsets allowed us to balance our adventures and challenge ourselves.
>> Message us to find out how else each us learned to embrace slowing down <<
Small Ways to Practice Slow Travel
If you want to slow down while traveling but feel like you only have limited time, you can:
- Visit one to three locations instead of four to six.
- Book one to two excursions ahead of time— not all of them.
- Make a few dinner reservations, instead of one for every night.
- Plan a few days and leave others for spontaneous activities.
- Ask locals and other travelers what they recommend along the way.
- Create space for mindful moments to enhance the experience and your appreciation for it.
>> Here is a great personal development app we use to keep us motivated and intentional daily <<
Note: Your timeline may look different, but if possible we recommend to only plan the things you have to plan and be open to the experience itself dictating where you go next—because they often lead you somewhere you would have never chosen otherwise.
From FOMO to JOMO: Traveling With Mindfulness
What Is JOMO and Why It Matters
As we traveled, we noticed a growing shift in mindset among other travelers. Many are feeling burnt out by the pressure to constantly perform or post their experiences—so instead, they’re slowly learning to embrace JOMO: the joy of missing out.
Practical Ways to Embrace JOMO While Traveling
More and more travelers are realizing the importance of taking digital breaks (yes, especially from Instagram), posting later instead of in real time, and letting go of the need to capture everything. Instead, they’re starting to look once again for more of the special moments that can only be seen and felt in real life.
Note: Traveling intentionally is a never-ending process. We continuously reassessed what we wanted from this travel experience, and had to accept that we wouldn’t be able to do or see it all.
Real-Life Example: Our Slow Travel Stories
How Staying Flexible Made Room for Magic
Our entire trip was primarily slow in relation to others, and because of that, we had countless memorable experiences. From staying at Dance Hostel in Colombia and learning Cali salsa for two weeks instead of the three days we originally planned, to volunteering at a coffee farm where we immersed ourselves in the farmers’ culture and lifestyle for over two weeks, to spontaneously doing a five day Salkantay Trek hike to Machu Picchu, to joining new friends on a trip to another island a week after meeting them—these moments only happened because we gave ourselves the space to slow down.
Our Unexpected Six Months in Indonesia
By the time we got to Indonesia in 2024, we were pros at embracing slow travel—but we had no idea we would end up spending six months there as a result. We loved the island, but what ultimately kept us was becoming part of an incredible digital nomad community. That wouldn’t have happened had we not been open to going with the flow and slowing down.
>> Details on our spontaneous hike to Machu Picchu here <<
The Joy of Doing Less While Traveling
Regardless of where you are traveling to and what your intentions are, being able to experience the world is a true blessing—whether it is for one week, a year, or months at a time.
If you struggle with the fear of missing out while traveling, know that you’re not alone. As a society, it’s a mindset we’ve been unknowingly training ourselves to feel. But let this be a reminder that changing your mindset to enjoy the simple moments is life changing. As there’s often beauty in doing less, rather than more.
So, what if traveling was less about checking off lists and more about fully enjoying the experience itself? Let us know @thetravelerinus if you are up for embracing the slow adventure.
Disclaimer: All the information shared is based on our research and experiences. Please note that we are not travel consultants, tour guides, or financial advisors and are not held liable for any misinformation. We give suggestions, but advise each person to do their own research and make the decision that best suits them. This blog posts also contains affiliate links, by using the links we provide you are helping us at no additional cost to you.
