For 22 years, I have lived 18 miles from the woods and pond made famous by Henry David Thoreau. Since I am the type of person who veers off the interstate to see sites like the grave of Stonewall Jackson’s arm, I’ve long considered my failure to go to nearby Walden an embarrassing personal lapse.
Hi Christina! Your article really resonated with me. TBH, there are times when I visit some place I've been wanting to go for a while, but I don't quite feel the awe or ecstasy I thought I'd feel. Instead, my emotions are flat. I'm unimpressed and overall disappointed. It makes me wonder if something's wrong with me. This line "Thoreau’s writings advise us to find our own Walden Ponds" is shifting my perspective. I don't need to feel inspired by every place I visit. I don't need to pretend to feel something when I don't either. I just started traveling the world recently (going to China soon, whoop, whoop), so coming to terms with this truth is important to me. I'll continue reflecting on it throughout this week. Thanks for sharing :)
Hi Christina! Your article really resonated with me. TBH, there are times when I visit some place I've been wanting to go for a while, but I don't quite feel the awe or ecstasy I thought I'd feel. Instead, my emotions are flat. I'm unimpressed and overall disappointed. It makes me wonder if something's wrong with me. This line "Thoreau’s writings advise us to find our own Walden Ponds" is shifting my perspective. I don't need to feel inspired by every place I visit. I don't need to pretend to feel something when I don't either. I just started traveling the world recently (going to China soon, whoop, whoop), so coming to terms with this truth is important to me. I'll continue reflecting on it throughout this week. Thanks for sharing :)
I'm glad this resonated with you, Macy, and I look forward to reading about your travels to China. Enjoy!