“Explore the world with an open mind, a sturdy carry-on, and clothes that don’t wrinkle”
~ Madeleine Albright
Have you ever just wanted to get up and go? The world is getting small with technological advancements, social media, and internet accessibility. You can view any You Tuber's tour of your wish-list place from the convenience of your phone, computer, or tablet. Enjoy photo albums of adventurous photographers. However, the screen never matches seeing with your own eyes.
Everyone should invest in the opportunity to travel, even if you only go somewhere once a year, even if it is just two hours away. The world is ginormous, and you ought to—deserve—to get out and see it. You don’t need to start off big, spending thousands of dollars. Take that one trip and your curiosity will get sparked to venture out. While we don’t need a specific reason to pick up that plane ticket, here are five reasons to travel as much as you can to get you started.
Learn more about yourself
Traveling presents an exciting stage to learn more about yourself. It takes you outside your comfort zone. You are moved outside your circle into another filled with new cultural norms, ethnic systems, languages, social functions, and more. How you operate in a foreign environment teaches you many things about that yourself that you would not have ever discovered alone or would have taken longer to realize. Your understanding of the world, your abilities, and your beliefs will all be tested. What will you eat, when you can’t read the menu? How will you get home when stranded at night? How can you help a lost child who doesn’t speak your language? These are some interesting growth challenges.
For cultural awareness
As we grow up, we become accustomed to one culture that we assume is the norm and judge others against it. However, one culture is, fortunately, not the standard. In a world that is becoming more global, the necessity of cultural awareness is apparent. Immersing yourself in another place only allows you to engage with the people and the area. By understanding other cultures, we learn to be more open, have compassion, and gain new perspectives.
Time is limited
Not only is time limited for you, but the planet. Natural wonders and animal species are disappearing. Sadly, we are living in a time where the destination you want to see today, may not look the same or even exist after the ten years you have planned to see it. Money returns. Time doesn’t.
Get connected
This is a time when people have more access. We are getting connected through all forms of social media. Someone in London can have friends in Milan, Shanghai, and Los Angeles all through the convenience of the internet. These relationships can be strengthened, and new ones formed through travel. On your journeys, you have the opportunity to make new friends. Having friends in various places gives you doors to different adventures in their neck of the woods.
It’s fun!
Who doesn’t want to go snorkeling in Bali and then hike the cliff of Moher in Ireland?! There will never be a boring moment when you are out exploring the world. On any trip, you can follow a group travel plan, create your own custom itinerary, or just wing it. You’ll discover things that you weren’t even expecting. No place is the same and you’ll take away incredible memories that will last a lifetime.
