My day begins at 5 in the morning: while everyone else is still in dreamland, I organize my task list for the day, have my breakfast while watching some TV, and then start working. Yup, work time for me is from 6:30 am till around noon. If I’m not done by noon, that only means that I have soooo much work on my plate. And if I can help it, I don’t schedule my meetings in the morning, to try to keep my alone time sacred.
Here is a video that Em shared with me. I am sharing it with all of you because the video is so beautifully made and tells you how important being alone is for the soul.
As much as I love to travel with friends and family, I also LOVE to travel solo. To me, this is extended Alone Time. I can wake up at whatever time I want, go out and explore, or just stay in and be lazy. I went on a solo trip to the Singapore Design Festival last year, and this year, I went to NYC alone. It’s always fun to meet up with old friends and make new ones in the most random places & situations–although almost everything is random anyway when you travel solo.
NYC, October 2011
Lost in Translation in Nagoya, Japan (2006) and Incheon, Korea (2008)
I enjoy sitting in restaurants, having a nice meal while drawing out my ideas. I can take all the time in one place or move as fast as I want. I like riding trains and find immense joy in efficient public transportation. When I travel alone, I weave my way around unfamiliar streets, aimlessly walking around and stopping when I see something that interests me. When I get lost in a new place, I am actually able to find myself. And that, I believe, is how travel enriches the soul.
A quick doodle while waiting at the airport in Seattle.
These are the Top 5+ things I have in my bag when I travel alone:
1. Journal, pens & watercolor set
2. A beanie, scarf and mittens (in my bag, just in case it gets chilly)
3. Water bottle & snacks
4. Maps (for when you want to find your way back)
5. Camera