The Essence Of Places

Have you ever noticed how some places stay with you long after you've left? Their energy still lingers in your body, and their stories keep wandering through your mind. It's as if the place we visit—and live in—becomes a part of us, with the ability to shape how we think and see the world.

In this edition, I want to share an understanding I've been recently reflecting on: the essence of places. It’s something I’ve thought about often since our trip to Albania in May. The moment we arrived, I felt an unexpected connection to the country. It went beyond the gorgeous beaches, raw nature, and the warmth of its people. 

Albania's complex and multifaceted history is vividly reflected in its architecture, culture, and national identity—shaped by resilience and a long-standing resistance to outside forces.

But the essence of a place isn't just its history. It's also the landscape, the smells, the sounds, and the textures. Its spirit sets one place apart from another, forming an emotional and spiritual connection. The places we visit or live in are our teachers—they show us (new) ways of living and adapting. We give meaning to these places; they give meaning to our existence. I see places as living entities with which we form relationships over time.

A Personal Reflection

When I moved from the sleepless, creative energy of Berlin to the calm and grounding atmosphere of Grindelwald, the contrast couldn't have been more stark. Recently, I returned to Berlin, and as soon as I arrived, I felt the city's energy—exciting, yet overwhelming. Interestingly, despite its endless possibilities, Berlin always felt somewhat restraining to me. Its electric rhythm can pull you in, but it's also easy to get lost in the constant rush of adrenaline and dopamine.

By contrast, the mountains have grounded me, challenging me to dream bigger and reflect more deeply. As much as I love it, Berlin often felt like being stuck in a loop, like riding the Ringbahn in circles. In Grindelwald, the slower pace has pushed me to confront my struggles and insecurities, overcome negative thought patterns from the past, and nurture personal growth.

This shift between two very different places has reminded me how much the places we inhabit shape our perspectives. Every place we visit leaves a trace on us, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and even our sense of self. Understanding the essence—or soul—of a place not only helps us connect more deeply to it but also to the people who live there. When immersing ourselves in the essence of a place, we open ourselves to building genuine, reciprocal relationships, which teach us how to give back to the places we visit and call home.

Practical Tips for Absorbing the Essence of Places

While I'll dive deeper into these ideas on my upcoming blog Threeminds Travel, here are a few practical ideas to help you connect with the essence of the places you visit:

• Observe your surroundings mindfully: Slow down and notice how a place makes you feel. What emotions or thoughts arise in different environments?
• Talk with locals: Ask about their daily lives, traditions, and the stories that make this place. This helps deepen your understanding of a place's culture and its people.
• Use your senses: Focus on the sights, sounds, smells, and textures surrounding you. These sensory experiences often reveal a lot about the character of a place.
• Give yourself time: Avoid rushing from one attraction to the next. The longer you stay, the stronger your relationship with the place becomes.
• Return and Reflect: After leaving, think about how the place impacted you. Did it change your perspective? Challenge your assumptions? Did it make you curious about a specific topic? Do you want to return? By reflecting, we can take the teachings of a place home.

Recommended

BOOKS / MUSIC / PODCASTS / FILMS / ARTWORK 

• "Free" by Lea Ypi: Ypi's compelling portrait of growing up in communist Albania made me think about freedom. Through personal stories, she explores the strengths and weaknesses of both communist and capitalist systems, raising timely questions about their failures and possibilities. Her reflections are particularly relevant today, as we become increasingly aware of the cracks in our current systems. Ypi shows how easily hope can turn into hopelessness, reminding us to pay close attention to the societal and economic shifts happening around us—and what these changes could mean for our everyday lives, and our freedom."

• TED CLIMATE: If you care about the climate crisis but feel overwhelmed about where to start, I recommend TED Climate. Especially if you're looking for more clarity and actionable insights on how to make a difference. Each episode takes complex climate issues and breaks them down into digestible, inspiring stories and solutions, offering knowledge on how to build a more sustainable future. Listening to experts and change makers is helping me turn my own feelings of frustration into empowerment. It's a great way to stay informed and motivated—without feeling lost in the enormity of the crisis.

What's Coming Next

For those who have been following this newsletter for a while, you know it's been going through many stages. It's been quiet here because I work every free minute on my soon-to-be-launched blog: Threeminds Travel - A Space To Nurture Regenerative Travel, Mindful Hospitality & Slow Living. 

My writing mission is to encourage a way of being in places that is not merely a bucket list check but a reciprocal relationship with the spaces we play in, fostering inner and outer transformation, joy, healing, understanding, and intentional (inter)action.

On the blog, you'll discover personal travel stories, inspiration, and tips for more mindful travel and slow living, along with in-depth resources and tools centered on a regenerative mindset and building (hospitality) businesses that prioritize the wellbeing of people, the planet, and business alike.

It's a heart project I had to put on hold as my computer was out of order, but now I am back in the writing flow and very excited to share with you more soon. 

Here is a sneak peek at published blog posts:

1. Why Regenerative Travel Is The Future Of Sustainable Tourism
2. How Social Media Is Revolutionising Travel And Transforming Our Experiences
3. How Saying "Thank You" Revealed The Greek-Albanian Relations In Himarë
4. Discovering Albanian Food In Himarë: A Seafood Lover'sGuide

While the blog will provide more in-depth content, this newsletter will be more practical, sharing personal reflections, processes, and insights from my journeys.

If you'd like to support me, please follow me on Instagram at @threemindstravel or sign up for this newsletter if you haven't already. As I'm still figuring out the direction of my project, feel welcome to leave feedback. And, of course, if you're not interested in the topics mentioned, feel free to unsubscribe; I won't take it personally. :-) I'm changing the focus of the newsletter, so not all of you may be interested. Although you should be! Because I'm sure you all interact with places ;-)

Your Turn

Now, I'd love to hear from you! Is there a place that has left a lasting impression on you? A city, town, or landscape that shaped your perspective? Reply and share your story or comment —I'd love to know which places have impacted you, and why. 

Thank you for joining me on this journey toward imagination, creation, and regeneration. I'm excited to continue sharing my stories and learnings with you.

With love 

Zaza

Threeminds Travel