Your Vacation Inspiration is More Subliminal than You Thought
If given the choice, most of us will request a 6-month vacation twice a year. As creatures wired for pleasure, we find joy in activities that delight our senses. That’s what makes vacations a sweet escape from the daily grind. No stress, just flex — that should be the way of the world. But we hardly think too seriously about where the inspiration for our vacation comes from.
So, what sparks your vacation inspiration?
Sometimes, it’s as straightforward as watching your favorite influencer dive into the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea in Santorini. But more often than not, it’s a deeper desire inspired by the subconscious. Let’s take a tour of other sources that might be pushing your wanderlust buttons. Dive in!
1. The last movie you watched
Cinematic dreams often transport us to faraway lands, sparking a desire to visit those places firsthand. Ever noticed how every other movie or TV show has the protagonist taking a life-changing trip? Whether it’s a rom-com heroine finding love in Paris or an action hero’s final showdown in some remote jungle, the message is clear: adventure awaits, and you’re missing out. Hollywood has us all convinced that true happiness lies just beyond our zip code.
2. That book that made you cry behind your pillows
No, this doesn’t include motivational and self-help books. We’re talking about that Sarah J. Maas TikTok addiction level of following. This explains the main character energy you see your favorite influencers display. Stories sell places. Just ask any Maas fan why they suddenly want to visit every mystical forest they’ve ever read about–in evening attire!
3. That music tour that feels like the rapture
Nothing makes a music fan more excited than their music fave cruising into town on a tour. It’s many things logic can’t explain, but you have to respect (hello, Swifties). The Eras Tour, for one, is so successful fans are traveling all over the globe to see it. It’s raking in mind-boggling numbers in attendees and merchandise that will have any town lucky enough to experience it smiling to the bank for months. It might even go up on the mayor’s wall as an achievement while in service. Who knew Taylor Swift could also boost the local economy?
4. The heartbreak you thought you didn’t need
You’ve tried everything– eating chocolates and ice-cream, burning everything in your apartment that reminded you of your ex while crying to the tune of Somebody I Used to Know by Gotye. Now you’re googling, “Can travel heal a broken heart?” Sure, the notion of escaping the places haunted by memories of your ex can be tantalizing. The “Eat, Pray, Love” Knockoff Tour might not help you find yourself again but you’ll get to breathe a different air than your ex’s.
5. That last Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving is notorious for many things, including evoking an achievement pitch among family members. Last year, the jingle at the table was about Karen’s yoga retreat in Bali or Steve’s fishing trip in Alaska. If Steve can wrangle a week off for some wilderness therapy, surely you can manage a few days in Cancun? Now, you’re thinking a bioluminescent bath in Bora Bora might be the right update to your achievement card. Well, do you, buddy. Just make sure to send a postcard home as evidence.
6. Celebrity travel websites
Nothing reveals your travel inexperience than a column telling you “the 27 places to get your nails clipped according to a billionaire heiress.” These attractive web pages are the OG Instagram, showcasing exotic locales that make your current desktop wallpaper look like a dumpster fire. So yes, flip through those pages and dream big!
7. The algorithm knows best
Let’s not forget our trusty overlords: the algorithms. They’ve seen you scrolling through those beach pics, noted your lingering gaze on that mountain hike video, and now your feed is a bespoke catalog of wanderlust. Every click is a breadcrumb leading you to your next adventure, all carefully curated by an AI that knows your desires better than you do.
So, the next time you consider taking a vacation, you should take a moment to appreciate the seemingly random pieces of your life inspiring you to see our beautiful world.
Enough with the subconscious influences. Let’s focus on making you the star of your own story. We have curated a buffet of destinations you want to explore. It’s called Guidelet — your immersive inspiration guide to destinations worth exploring. You say the place and Guidelet shows you the way there. Fuel your wanderlust and escape the everyday grind with the best travel gems.
Don’t just take my word for it — see for yourself. Download it here.
Bon voyage!
