Last summer, when I went to Italy with my sisters, I unintentionally started a little tradition: collecting keychains from every place I visited. It started in Verona, where I picked two keychains shaped like keys, one for me and, of course, one for my mum. Then, in Lake Garda, I found a beautiful golden one with engravings of the lake, and at our final stop in Venice, a Venetian mask keychain was brought straight home with me. By the end of the trip, I’d created a small but meaningful tradition that I hope to grow as I have more opportunities to explore the world in the future.
Keychains might seem like a simple choice, but I love trinkets and little keepsakes, things I can hold onto and keep collecting. Each keychain holds the memories of each specific place, and having tangible items helps keep the connection between me and my travels meaningful. Traditions, even the small ones, can make any trip feel that more special. The more a tradition is cherished, the more it gives you something to look forward to on a trip; a nostalgic chain that keeps growing.
This year, I’m hoping to visit more places and it’s exciting to think of my collection growing, each piece holding a unique story to me. My tradition might be new but it’s one I want to carry for a lifetime, just like the keychains themselves!
Words by and featured image courtesy of Arschi Ali