Top 3 Lessons I’ve Learned from Traveling the World
Imagine standing at the edge of the world—mountains towering behind you, endless ocean ahead—and realizing the scariest thing isn’t taking that leap; it’s staying exactly where you are. Travel isn’t just about seeing new places; it’s about discovering the best version of yourself along the way.
Flying to Seoul on a new adventure-2022
I won’t lie to you and say that I never imagined that my life would look drastically different now than it did at the start of quarantine. A few weeks before the world seemed to shut down, I was sitting at a park in Amsterdam wondering what would happen if I missed my flight. I sat at peace with my friend imagining a life that moved slower, felt freer, and allowed me to write. For all my “thriving on chaos”, writing was the one thing, I only did while feeling completely content. My travel mindset completely shifted and that was my last trip as a two-week vacationer.
Yes, I still go on trips for less time or even a day trip, though now I move with the mind of a traveler. I give myself time and room to breathe. I no longer think of “going back to reality” as a nightmare. My reality is traveling, everything else is a means to do what I love.
Travel and My Worldview
I started traveling in 2016 as a senior in high school. Since then, it is hard for me to definitively say that the world is big or small. There is so much expanse. Gorgeous views that make you feel small in light of the world’s magnificence and the reality of knowing that there are so many cities filled with people that I will never meet make the world grand. Yet, everywhere I have traveled, I have met people with the same dreams and the same insecurities wrapped in a different language or culture.
Meaningful Life Lessons I’ve Gained From Travel
The world is how we choose to see it at any given moment. Big or small, there is always inspiration to be found and wisdom to be shared. It is in these unexpected inspiring moments that I have learned the most about myself and the world around me.
The scariest thing is to stay still.
I often hear, “Wow you’re so brave”, “I could never do that”, or “I’ve always wanted to travel but….”. It always breaks my heart no matter who I hear these excuses from, strangers and family members alike. Maybe I read too many fantasy books as a kid or maybe it’s because I was the first in my family to receive a passport. To me, the scariest thing will always be standing still when I want to fly. When I know I can fly.
Right before college, I asked every single adult I knew what they wanted to be when they were my age and what they went to school for. Not a single one had done what they set out to do. They may not have noticed, but the girl asking them looking for hope was met with sad eyes and one too many “But that’s life” spoken with a sigh. It wasn’t the life I wanted.
I was determined to fly. (No literally, I love being on planes). Getting on a plane to a place where you don’t know anyone or the language is scary. Never getting on a plane is scarier still.
Sunset at Nakdong River, Busan, South Korea
A good view is worth a month of therapy sessions.
This is in no way shape or form medical advice. A good therapist is irreplaceable. If you are seeking affordable therapy I recommend Open Path Collective.
Now, I have spent my fair share on therapy and my brighter outlook on life is in part due to a wonderful therapist who stuck by me even when I couldn’t afford to pay her. While therapy is necessary and fantastic - sometimes- ONLY SOMETIMES- you might do well to go outside and watch the sunset. Feel the tension leave your body as you watch the sky paint itself pink. If you want to feel grand, try the top of a mountain. If you want to feel small, try the ocean. Being in nature can stop a lot of crash-outs in its tracks. Whether you find a view in your hometown or your bucket list destination is entirely up to you.
See the world to enrich your soul, not just soothe it.
As magical as it can be, a vacation is still a vacation. You must come home and face all your problems and recently maxed-out credit cards. You can move across the ocean to a cheaper country, but if you don’t know how to budget you will still face money problems. Sadly, you can not travel your way out of your problems and it’s best if you don’t try.
One of the biggest killers of a traveler’s spirit is thinking that you “shouldn’t have gone on that trip” simply because the problem you tried to run away from increased tenfold while you were away. An important life lesson from travel that I hope you never have to learn.
Travel and Personal Growth
As I bring an end to 2024, I’ve reflected on all that I have accomplished and all that I felt I’ve missed the boat on. Ironically, my travel experiences have taught me to slow down. There is so much I want to see and do and there is a time and place to do it all. I enjoy leisure travel for weeks to months, this will require some level of planning and sufficient funds. As I continue into the new year, I plan to focus on my chosen theme and create a proper game plan for all the fun adventures that I can’t wait to write you about.
I encourage you to take a moment and think about the places on your travel list. Why do you want to go there? What will you gain or learn? Intention holds the same weight as the destination. Embrace travel as a tool for personal growth and reflection in the new year. This mindset ensures that even the shortest trips leave you feeling refreshed and recharged.
What is the most meaningful lesson you have learned from traveling? Share your travel reflections in the comments!
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