The Curious Columnist, Jennifer Silverman
Unless you’ve been residing beneath a metaphorical boulder since 2006, you’ve likely heard of “Eat, Pray, Love.” The bestselling memoir penned by Elizabeth Gilbert recounts her epic real-life journey of self-discovery as she traversed three distinct cultures and locales, Italy, India, and Bali. The film version starring Julia Roberts was released in 2010 and the franchise continues to inspire millions to stage expeditions that unearth awareness, aha moments, fulfillment, and fresh starts.
Today, the concept has infiltrated the zeitgeist to such an extent that “eat, pray, love” has evolved into an overarching idiom that transcends established parts of speech. The verb variety goes something like, “She’s packing to eat pray love for six months and plans to check 12 bags.” In noun form, “Upon departure from his eat pray love in Antarctica, he attempted to smuggle an emotional support penguin back to the states.” Or, applied as an adjective, “Their eat pray love quest took a spooky turn when they encountered a poltergeist at a pagoda.”
Since this pilgrimage to purpose has seemingly found its footing in today’s societal norms, the eat pray love experience has become a universal remedy to practically everything that ails the under-40ish cohort - from burnout to boredom, to heartbreak, to any stage-of-life crises. Sure, it was life-changing for Gilbert and likely millions of others, but are devotees banking on the hurdles that beckon eat pray loves?
In other words, are we constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop? If so, how does that expectation affect our outlook? Isn’t there a possibility that our shoes will primarily stay aloft? Or that our shoes may encounter gravity every now and then, but that we’ll eventually regain our footing? Bumps in the road are unavoidable, but they don’t all have to culminate in fender benders.
Recently, after evading dating apps for several months, I reactivated my profiles. I’m not exactly sure what prompted another stab. I suppose I get curious about who’s out there every so often. Per usual, I’ll likely diagnose myself with digital dating fatigue within three weeks and maintain my distance from the apps until I summon the tolerance to try again.
This go-round, I did happen to stumble upon a virtual dating bio trend that got me thinking. Although travel has long been a prevalent passion mentioned on dating app profiles, lately the vast majority of singles cite world travel, quantities of countries visited, thread-bare passports, and “only global entry holders need apply” mandates in their profiles.
Of course, not all hopeful daters are seeking eat pray loves, however, the implication that physical journeys are necessities for evolution and fulfillment is everywhere. Granted, international travel and even weekend road trips are privileges that can certainly provide the respite and perspective shifts that oodles of us seek. Surely travel is not the right prescription for everyone though. Sometimes, isn’t staying put a la an internal journey of self-discovery just what the doctor ordered?
Recently, a suggestion that I should essentially scrap the projects I’m pursuing and scram in favor of an eat pray love came my way. My reply? “Thanks, but no thanks.” Although travel is wholly worthwhile, the introspective serenity of home can be just as profound as a grandiose escapade. Travel is a distinctive, eye-opening privilege that exposes us to new ideas and experiences, but holding the fort can also be a transformative eat pray love.
Alas, it appears I lack compatibility with the bulk of daters in a 50-mile radius since they primarily have a hankering for long-distance adventure. I’ve decided to keep prioritizing my tranquility for now - so long as I stay open to possibilities. I don’t know about you, but at the moment, being peaceful in paradise is precisely where I’d like to be.
Jennifer Silverman has served as a celebrity wardrobe stylist for hundreds of TV personalities and professional athletes. A few of her favorite projects include the Olympic Games and the Oscars. Silverman and her Westie, Petunia, relocated from Manhattan to Amelia Island in 2019. Additional quirky commentary penned by Silverman is available by visiting www.CuriousColumnist.com Email her at Jennifer@CuriousColumnist.com