A few years ago when I really began traveling more slowly and for longer periods of time, I started a tradition with myself to choose a scent for each destination where I would make my home for at least a month. Scent association has always been a powerful way for me to draw connections to my surroundings and my memories, and assigning a candle to my travels is a way for me to revisit those places that have shaped who I am today.

A tradition to make me feel at home all over the world

While the lifestyle of traveling for extended periods of time allows for many inspiring, rewarding, and exciting experiences, it’s common to have to sacrifice some regular comforts such as daily routines and a sense of stability. Having traveled and lived in various countries and regions around the world, I’ve found there are some clever ways to establish a sense of regularity within my life to help me feel at home wherever I may be.

Whenever I arrive to a new destination where I’ll be spending a considerable amount of time, I begin to settle in by buying myself fresh-cut flowers and lighting a candle from Diptyque. This routine has become a comfort within itself, and creating my own moments of familiarity regardless of where I am living or visiting has helped me feel at home.

Why Diptyque

I choose Diptyque scents for a few reasons. The perfume I’ve been wearing for years is from them, and I’ve always been inspired by the imaginative artwork and illustrations that adorn their displays and branding. Their wide range of scents can encapsulate any mood, any feeling, and any environment from floral gardens to woody forests, to culinary markets and storied architectural sites, and beyond. It’s also helpful that I can purchase their candles from anywhere, and being able to visit any of their boutiques around the world feels like having access to a global library where I can discover new scents while also revisiting familiar favorites.

I’m a creature of consistency and love that I can choose all scents for my travels from a singular source. Something I’ve learned from my travels is to minimize clutter and pack only the essentials, and thus have developed an affinity for collecting things that are physically intangible or take up very little space: whether they be stamps in a passport, stickers on a suitcase, a list of the countries I’ve visited, memories of bucket-list experiences, and now a collection of scents that can transport me back to my favorite destinations.

It’s not lost on me that my journey thus far has led me to Paris, the birthplace of Diptyque, where I can casually stumble into one of their many shops or boutiques and reminisce by browsing all of the scents that have accompanied me on many of my travels. Upon visiting their newly opened Maison at 7 Rue Duphot, I was treated to learn more about the history and rich heritage of the brand, and came across a phrase that defined the founders’ mission from the very beginning: to listen to their intuition and only do what they love. As if I really needed another reason to identify with the brand— this same sentiment is what has guided me through challenging and pivotal moments throughout my life.

On building and deepening connection

Another aspect of this tradition that has become so special for me are the opportunities for building and deepening connections with my loved ones. While extensive traveling can increase the physical distance between myself and the people that are important to me, I’ve found there are still shared experiences that can create lasting memories.

As much as I love living abroad, it’s not always easy to be away from my family in California. But every time I set off to a new destination and choose a new scent from Diptyque, I’ll also order one to be shipped home to my mother so she can experience the same scent whenever she likes or whenever she’s thinking of me. It’s especially comforting whenever she lets me know that she lights a candle for me, and no matter how far away we may be from each other physically, it can help us feel closer than ever.

Many of my friends have become aware of my affinity for the Diptyque brand, and I’m most grateful for all of the thoughtful and sentimental gifts I’ve received. It’s very touching anytime someone makes note of the things that are important in one’s life, and I’ll always remember one particular gift as one of the most thoughtful I have ever received— At a point in time when multiple aspects of my life had unexpectedly and drastically changed within a matter of hours, I was faced with a number of daunting challenges which included finding both short-term and long-term housing solutions in a place where I was only beginning to find my bearings, on my own. Amidst all of the shock, stress, and unrelated yet simultaneous heartbreak, I was frankly too strained to be thinking about candles. But a visit from my best friend Danielle during this stressful time was a great comfort, and I was brought to tears when she presented me with a gift that took me by surprise: it was a Fleur de Cerisier candle from Diptyque that not only commemorated our current and previous springtime visits to Paris together, but more importantly signaled a new beginning and marked a transition into a period of my life where I really felt I began to bloom.

The Diptyque scents I’ve chosen and the places they will always remind me of..

Sierra Nevada Mountains - Feu de Bois
Paris 3ème - L’Elide
Croatia - Jasmin
Paris 9ème - Paris City Candle
Malta - Santal
Alpes Haute Savoie - Cyprès
Paris 17ème - Fleur de Cerisier
Paris 9ème - Muguet
Alpes Savoie - Chêne

Discover scents and souvenirs from Diptyque

Whether you’re taking time to reflect on and appreciate some of life’s biggest achievements, or creating space to be more intentional in the way you commemorate experiences along life’s journey, practices as simple as lighting a candle can offer a thoughtful touch. Collecting scents from Diptyque has become one of my favorite ways to practice mindfulness, to appreciate current and past experiences, and to look forward to what’s to come.

Do you have any traditions that help you feel more at home while traveling abroad? Or do you keep any special collections that remind you of memorable places you’ve visited? Let me know in the comments below.

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