The Impact of Writing our Travel Stories: Lifelong Traveler and Diarist Molly Nunnelly

I spoke recently with Molly Nunnelly about her travel writing. I’m curious about how writing about our travels enhances our experience. Molly’s travel consultancy is called Heirloom Vacations. She understands the power of our memories to shape our experiences long after a trip has ended.

Here’s what Molly shared with me in a written and verbal interview.

“I have always been a diarist, keeping personal journals from the time I was young. On my first trip to Europe as a teenager, my father gave me a travel journal and told me he would like to read it after my trip! I dutifully kept that journal and have pretty much kept one on every trip since then.”

What a great gift to receive! I, too, got a travel journal – Banana Republic put one out with a leather cover. I think that got me into writing about travel, too.

I asked Molly how she started her blog at Heirloom Vacations. It’s full of stories, inspiration, and images that make me want to travel more!

“I started writing a blog about my travels because I had a bad experience with a travel supplier,” Molly said. “I felt the need to warn others about this operator. After that, I wrote about my trips and how I organized them.”

Writing our travel stories both for ourselves and others gives us new perspectives and the chance to relive and reframe our adventures. Here’s what Molly said writing her travels has done for her.

“Writing about my travels crystallizes the experiences. Rereading my journals brings back memories that I’ve forgotten, which is great as I get older. I have also learned that I like adding art and ephemera to my journals.

I wondered if Molly sees a difference in the way she travels as a result of keeping a journal. I know I pay attention more and have a process that makes it easy to capture things while on the move. Sure enough, keeping a blog and journal made a difference in her life.

“Over time, I noticed that I pay attention to different things because of the journals. I notice more how I feel rather than just recounting what we did. I always find time and space on my trips and afterward to fill in my pages.”

Thanks for sharing your experience, Molly! I believe in the power of writing to elevate and transform our experiences. We’re bringing our ink to our stories in the upcoming Write Your Travel Stories. Class starts on March 22nd, so get your ticket today!