I shudder at the thought of the person I’d be today if I never traveled. Seriously. So much of who I am is because of traveling. It’s truly my drug of choice (well that and cheese…has anyone investigated if this is actually a drug because it has to be) and it’s made my life colorful and adventurous. If you’re a big traveler then I’m sure you agree with me and if you’re not, just remember, it’s never too late to start traveling! Here’s 9 (out of a million) ways travel makes your life better
You have more fun
Let’s start with the obvious way travel makes your life better: it adds more fun into your life. As much as I love to curl up on a couch and watch some Netflix, the fun I have traveling is unparalleled. These are the memories you’re going to look back at. Skydiving on your last day in Seville after spending 5 months calling the city home is something that you’re going to remember for a lifetime.
It teaches you about other cultures
Don’t be that person who thinks Indians only mean Native Americans and are completely unaware of the group of people from the second most populated country in the world. Traveling to another country is like stepping foot in another world. You’ll witness vibrant and enchanting cultures, some similar to your own and some so different that you can’t help but wonder what else could possibly be out there. To this day if I close my eyes I can still see the eyes of the unadorned kind woman who welcomed us into her simple home for a simple meal in Costa Rica and I can still smell the smoke mixed with the rich spices in Cappadocia, Turkey
You’ll learn more about yourself
Whether you travel alone or with a group, you will develop a unique skill set that is only made possible by planning a trip and executing. You’ll learn about skill sets you didn’t even know you have. You’ll know what you like and what you don’t like. Maybe you’re an extreme extrovert but you actually enjoy traveling alone, something you wouldn’t know unless you just do it. The knowledge you gain from traveling is applicable to every single aspect of your life.
You’ll find your happy place
Where’s that place that anchors you completely to the present? Where you can let go of social media for 5 minutes and not feel the itch to check a DM? When I’m on one of my many trips, no matter where I am in the world I feel completely and utterly at peace. There are days when I wake up in a foreign country and it takes me a few minutes to realize that this is real life. That I’m in a beautiful hostel in the middle of a rainforest in Panama and the schedule for the day consists of exploring a coffee bean plantation. I feel inspired. Rejuvenated. Humbled. Honestly, I feel like I could throw my phone out the window and not even miss it
It makes you appreciate the little things
When you travel, you’ll explore worlds so different from your own that you’ll start to appreciate the things you once took for granted. You’ll learn it’s not about the big things: how many cars you have, the size of your house, how epic your new pair of shoes are. It’s about the little things, the experiences, the delicious meal you just shared with a local. At the end of the day, you’ll realize your life is a lot better once you learn to appreciate the little things
You get a well-deserved break
No matter how great your job is or how awesome your family is, sometimes you just need an effing break. Life is so much better when you are able to take a minute and just recharge. There’s nothing like a vacation after a rough couple of months at work. Work hard, play hard.
You learn to let go a little
If you’re a control freak (don’t worry no judgment here…I can be quite control freaky), then traveling will help you to let go a little. You’ll learn that there really is just things outside of your control and once you accept that, you’ll notice just how easier life is. So you missed a bus because you had no idea there are actually a zillion bus stations under the same name in Santiago, Chile. Re group, take a deep breath, and catch the next one.
You meet incredible people
Some of the most intelligent, funny, and unique people I’ve ever met have been on my travels. Why are these people so awesome? Because they already share one thing in common with you: their love for travel. Some of my best friends are people I met when I studied abroad.
It makes you an overall better person
It truly does. In all facets of your life. You’ll become more confident, more self-aware, more considerate of others, and so much more. I’m not saying travelers are the best people ever…wait, yes I am 🙂
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Don’t be lame and only read a page. Life will be so much better if you keep going. Trust me, this book is a page turner and you’ll want to read each and every single word.
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22 Comments
I completely agree with you! Traveling has given me a new outlook on life. I’ve met people, I’ve explored other cultures, I’ve learned so much about myself. I feel like through my travels I’ve learned what is really important, and I love the person I find in me when I travel.
So glad you agree! I love that you said that you love the person you find in yourself when you travel. That really resonates with me <3
Your photos are incredible
#GLT
Thank you so much!
Love this and could not agree more especially about meeting incredible people… even when I’m not travelling I always gravitate accidently towards those that also make travel a priority,.
#glt
Thank you for the #gltlove! Same here! If we have travel in common, I’m going to want to get to know you!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who loves cheese! Your photos are beautiful and I love you mentioned something about escaping from social media. I find myself caught with the “social bug” but when traveling it’s easy to leave my phone behind.
Obsessed with cheese! Escaping from social media is def one of my fav parts of travel!
Yes, traveling is one of the best activities in life! Once I started traveling I became more empathetic and conscious about other people. It doesn´t matter if you only travel to the country next door or to the entire world, just being away from your comfort zone is amazing!
You hit the nail on the head! Being out of your comfort zone is such a great feeling!
All very true! Especially learning to go with the flow of things and just change things if need be. It definitely helps with being more mindful of the little things!
Absolutely! Learning to go with the flow was one of my biggest lessons learned from traveling!
Great article. Traveling definitely nourishes personal growth and empathy. We’re both better people for it. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it! <3
Love love love this post…I am so with you, travel has brought so much to my life! I totally get you when you talk about those moments of complete peace and feeling grounded ❤️ where is that coffee plantation? it looks beautiful x
So glad you agree! Travel is just such an amazing aspect of life! It was in Boquete, Panama!
Great post! You’re so right, travel really helps you learn about yourself, break out of your shell, make new friends. I also realized, it made me more aware and responsible, being in a foreign place by myself and having to figure things out on your own.
100% agree with that! Glad you liked the post 🙂
Such amazing things you have mentioned, travel in itself is like a whole learning process from the experiences. I am loving all your pictures, they are so beautiful.
Thank you so much! It really is such an incredible learning experience
All of this is so true. I think if more Americans traveled regularly some of the problems in the country would get better. Not to mention there would be a lot more happy and intelligent people!
Absolutely! I’m glad you share the mentality! I wish more Americans traveled!