What are some of your favorite places and what do they mean to you? Why do they hold that special place that keeps you longing for it? Usually, they are our favorite because it's associated with a great memory or it’s a place of refuge where we feel safe, that we belong or that makes us connected to ourselves and others. It’s not just the place that makes us happy but it’s the things that led to it, where they add up that compels us.
Where we just think of it and it instantly lifts us up whether we're in a down mood or even in a good mood but just places us in a lot better state. When you take the time to think and reminisce about your favorite place it can switch you to an optimistic mode that makes you lean towards what you can do, achieving what you want, or it is possible instead of negativity and doubt being so prevalent.
When you take enough time to understand your favorite place or places it all ends in your mind because it left a lasting impression. The people involved like your loved ones, your family members, your friends, your significant other, what they did, how they behaved all mold and impact your take on the experience.
Many times, this comes from the expectations of the first time in experiencing a place being surpassed where it surprisingly is better than what was anticipated. This gets you continuously drawn back to it where when you do go back at least your expectations are met that just reinforces what you thought the first time and how you felt. This drives home that first impressions are significant. It sets the tone, your outlook in what you experienced.
It fills the emotional need
Think about your favorite shows, your favorite movies, or your favorite music. You might tend to replay them repeatedly because it fills your emotional needs. You know what happens, you know what's going to be said but still you replay it. But even when you know what happens you might not know all the details involved in it. There are many things that can be unnoticeable the first few times or even first twenty times that are then picked up on.
As you rewatch, you play these favorite forms of entertainment you get something new overtime, but it still provides that safety of familiarity. Knowing that it can be counted on. One of the downsides of when you try something new is that it's a letdown, it's a disappointment where you might think that I passed on the familiar things that I enjoy for something new.
Those favorite physical locations are more of a state of being where your mind tends to go to, is it allows your mind to relax and enjoy. This is what helps you form habits. It saves energy to do what was done previously. When you think about your favorite places it transports you back to that time of that fond memory. Where you replay certain parts that highlight what made it so great.
Those favorite places that you have are mental footprints where you know where to step to get back there. It's that nostalgia that transports you to your happy place. It's something that you can count on in a world that's full of many uncertainties and many uncontrollable things. You know that not every part of an experience needs to be blissful, just a few or one part of it can be enough to be a highlight.
A place to rejuvenate
What are some of your favorite places that you go to mentally? The activities that you do that transport you to a new world that allows you to recuperate and feel rejuvenated. We all experience some level of distress that makes us want to get away to escape what we are dealing with in a healthy way. Hopefully it's not something that you want to escape to that drowns your sorrows but something that helps you process and work through the things that are irritating or uncomfortable or even painful.
In those moments where you might be feeling overwhelmed because of a test that's coming up or a certain deadline or uncertainty about how you're going to make a living or just not knowing what to do next. These things can be infuriating and frustrating that can drive one to give up. But if you can have that favorite place that you can go to mentally it's going to help alleviate some of the stress that you're experiencing. It can be enough to help calm you down and take your mind off things.
Things like reading books that help you escape what you're going through or painting or drawing, maybe it's even coloring. It could even be things like meditating or taking long walks to help clear your mind that are super beneficial to get you to a place of refuge. Your favorite place provides you with the chance to rest and recover so you can get back to that fight that you are facing.
Think about how you operate, you have things that you’re working towards but no matter what, you need food to fuel yourself to have energy and sleep so you can recover to get back at it. Without it you are less than your best and how can you accomplish much if at all if you’re depriving yourself of what is essential. And that is what your favorite places are, it is essential so it can bring out the best in you.
New experiences, more potential favorite places
With the changes that you go through, the different stages you experience those favorite places, those wonderful memories can be counted on to provide comfort and joy. That's why we look forward to the holiday season where we gather with those we care for because its keeping tradition going. In those times of change it can surprise us in disappointment and but also in satisfaction.
Its knowing that your favorite places can also be expanded on because something is currently your favorite doesn't mean you can't make room for others or that it's being thrown to the back burner because of something new.
At times there can be the sort of thinking that if you like one thing that means you like something else a lot less or reject it somehow. And even the things that you don't like at first can surprisingly or unsurprisingly grow on you where you grow accustomed to it.
Maybe when you were younger you didn't like onions but then as you grew up and tried new things you realize oh onions are tasty. This goes the same way for the things that you try, the places that you visit and the people that you meet. Some of them you might not be as accepting of and then overtime you'll start to embrace it where they might become your favorites.
Let yourself be open to the new things that come, there's obviously going to be disappointment that comes along with it but you also give yourself room to embrace new things that can expand your perspective, you're thinking of enjoyment.
Probably when a lot of us were much younger those late teenage early adult years, fun would be things that are more out and about or even reckless where it's about having fun and partying hard but then as you come of age those things might seem less enticing. They're still going to hold a special place in the memories you have but how you see fun will probably change. Instead of seeing late nights hanging out with friends wreaking havoc, years or decades later you might see staying home going to bed early a lot more enjoyable.
Final thoughts
Change is inevitable and embracing it will better equip you going forward, to make room for new favorite places instead of missing out of making new memories because the past ones block you from seeing what is around you. And as you go through with this outlook it’s always remembering those past ones because it can uplift you in an instant. Whether you’re down or bored, it will recenter you by transporting you to the fond things in your life.
As time passes those memories become so much more special, so much more significant that as you experience it, it might not be understood just how impactful it will be in your life. Look to them as markers in your life, that symbolize what makes your life that much more meaningful. Let yourself sing your favorite songs, recite your favorite lines from those shows and movies that you enjoy and of course retelling the stories of those special memories of family and friend. Saying it aloud gives it more energy than just thinking about it. Workout, read books, or indulge in your hobbies. Whatever it is, make is a priority.
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