Short answer – YES! So much more than just visiting places and doing things, travel opens you up to new cultures, experiences, people and an entirely new way of life that stays with you long after your bags are unpacked and tan has faded. Travel is all about self-improvement, simultaneously toughening your skin and melting your heart, forever changing your perspective on the world.
Want to get specific? Here are some reasons.
YOU ACCEPT PEOPLE FOR WHO THEY ARE
Growing up, we naturally fall into our own social circles, more often than not sticking in these until we’re set free into the world. We’re unintentionally sheltered, unknowingly skeptical. Enter the concept of travel, and your first independent steps into the world. Suddenly you find yourself sat next to a teacher from Brazil, a writer from New York, a charity worker from the Philippines – people with totally different beliefs, backgrounds and stories. Talking to these people, learning their journeys and what they’ve been through, you realize just how different your lives have been. Yet these people aren’t scary, they’re not judgmental. They take you for who you are, as you do them. Travel throws you in the deep end and forces you to live side by side with people you’d never of imagined, opening your mind and eradicating preconceptions.
The saying goes ‘travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world’. Exploring the streets of Bangkok, London or Delhi, you really start to understand this phrase. Immersing yourself in a new culture, seeing first-hand how others live, witnessing poverty and majesty living side by side, sharing stories with strangers just through a smile, you suddenly realize just how big the world really is and how important each and every one of its 7 billion inhabitants are.
YOU OPEN UP TO NEW EXPERIENCES
Sitting at home in your pajamas did you ever imagine you’d skydive over the Swiss Alps, walk along the Great Wall of China or journey New York’s subway all on your own? Probably not. Travel gives you confidence and puts experiences in your way that where before you’d say no, you find yourself saying yes. Blame your travel friends, blame that third beer, but when travelling anything goes, giving you the confidence to believe that you really can do anything.
YOU BECOME MORE TRUSTING
At some point during your travels you’ll find yourself putting your trust in someone else, whether it’s to wake you up for an early morning flight, walk you round a city you’ve never been to or pay you back when you’ve lent money to someone in need. Travel builds trust, not only in other people, but also in yourself. You learn to trust your judgment and your own ability; character traits that will take you far in life.
YOU CAN SOLVE ANY PROBLEM
If you can get yourself from North to South in London with no phone battery, no A-Z and only your common sense to get you through, you can solve literally any problem. Remember that cold blooded, heart drop out of your body feeling you get when a task seems seemingly impossible? Travel will fix that. You’ll realise that no problem is impossible and there is a work around for everything, whether you’ve lost your bags, your passport or your sanity (OK, maybe not the last). Return to the real world and you’ll be a problem saving master.
YOU’RE ALTOGETHER HAPPIER
Mainly because you’re not at work, you can have cocktails for breakfast and do anything you damn well like, but more than that because you’ll become a more rounded person with the ability to empathize with others, see beauty in the tiniest of things and realize that really, you’re a pretty lucky person after all.
Life’s an adventure – make it count with absolutely #NOREGRETS
xoxo, Blair
Great points! Esp., I agree when you say you become more trusting and solve problems. I had so much of doubts before I set on my first backpacking trip but once you're there in an unfamiliar place all by yourself, things turn around
ReplyDelete!
Yeah and also whenever we travel, we must be ready to be more open to ourselves, because that the only gear that we have in that open world.
DeleteReally good post and all are very true. I think the most pertinent for me is the Solving Problems. It is hard to understnad a life as a full time traveler until you actually go out and do it. It seems like everyday we have to reevaluate some of our travel plans, lodgings, etc. The travel life is a roller coaster but one I love.
ReplyDeleteNO wonder many travelers always says that they will never be the same person after they travel. Travel gives you so many life experiences that you could never acquired in textbooks.
DeleteI agree with every single one of the 6 reasons you have posted. Travel changed me, my perspective and opennes forever. I am way more tolerant, nothing shocks me
ReplyDeleteHello Monika,
DeleteAnd it makes us crave more to travel. And be acceptable with other experiences.
I couldn't agree with you more. Travel opens up areas of our souls which we previously did not know existed. For me, I have been forever changed since I began to travel in 2005.
ReplyDeleteMe too, and now I feel that I am more confident compared to my previous non-travel years.
DeleteI do believe that traveling can make you a better person but only if you open your mind to it. I have met a lot of travelers who travel just for the fun of it, they never connect with the locals and only go partying and get drunk. I have actually met 2 girls in one of my recent trips who said they were getting drunk every night for weeks and spent the days in bed...
ReplyDeleteOh that's what they called YOLO. hahaha, but am a wise traveler. I mean, I spent many time, effort and sometimes tears just to get to my destination, and all I will when I arrive is to drunk???!! Hell no! :)
DeleteI agree that travel makes you a better person! I don't think it has made me more trusting because I am really not naturally a trusting person and you meet some creeps when you travel. But I definitely have become more modest about my place in the world, and I have more confidence about my ability to try new things.
ReplyDeleteI've learned many cultures and understand people better even we don't speak the same language!
DeleteI completely agree with you on all these points, it really helps becoming more self-confident. I love to discover new places and telling myself that I never imagined I could do that!
ReplyDeleteHello Miriam,
DeleteAnd also more excited to type your stories because you've experienced it by yourself! Thanks for visiting :)
Travelling makes us better people I couldn't agree more. We are more humble and modest as we discover the world :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. It doesn't matter the kind of traveler you are. What matters most are the experiences and learnings that we have acquired for free!
DeleteAgree with all your points. Travel really opens up your mind and makes you see things from a lot of perspectives. It also, teaches you to take things in a stride. :) Well captured in your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and for liking my post Ami!
DeleteI certainly do agree that travelling does make you a much better person - this is in terms of growth, wisdom and having a more centered perception on understanding the different cultures outside of your comfort zone. It also makes you a bit more adventurous to explore as well :)
ReplyDeleteThank you dear for sharing your insightful thoughts!
DeleteLove this post! I love to travel and meet new people. You truly do realize how big and beautiful this world is. However, sometimes you also learn about so many things you might take for granted that others do not have. Traveling indeed makes you a better person; more knowledgeable and more aware.
ReplyDeleteThank you Breena for sharing! Keep on visiting us!
Deletethis is very true! Even though I can't personally say i had the same experience while travelling but even when just hiking and meeting new strangers gives the same feeling ...
ReplyDeleteThank you Yana for sharing your thoughts!
DeleteYep, couldn't agree with what you said anymore. Travel forces you to step outside that comfort zone in many different ways. It really helps to build resilience to overcome obstacles.
ReplyDeleteIt's like in a Survivor, travel makes you stronger!
DeleteI have to agree with you! Traveling has broaden my horizon in so many ways! Especially doing it on your own. It's an amazing feeling that can't be put in words.
ReplyDeletewww.travelbeautyblog.com
You nailed it Shevy, thank you!
DeleteI agree with you travel definitely change you. My husband and I use to travel quit often and we love it . Traveling is needed thing that we both love. Learning new things is fun.
ReplyDeleteAnd travel helps to build bond and make your bond even stronger and tighter.
DeleteWhat you say about traveling is so true! Thanks for your share dear =)
ReplyDeleteYou are always welcome Christy! Keep on exploring our blog :)
DeleteGreat post. Many true point. Hope to be able to go back packing soon and feel it for myself.
ReplyDeleteOh Olivia certainly you will!
DeleteI love this! Growing up, my brother and I missed a great deal of school because our parents would take us traveling instead. They've always said that you learn more from traveling than you ever would in a classroom. I like to think they were right!
ReplyDeleteAdriana
http://www.adrianathani.com
Oh my, your parents are soo cool!!!
DeleteThese a great points! I LOVE to travel and my husband had never travelled at all before we got married. I can't tell you how much going to new destinations has given him a new perspective in life (especially traveling to Europe and places with slightly different cultures than he was used to). Now he loves to travel too. I also really like the layout of your blog, especially your title. Great look.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shelby, you are so kind. And thank you for sharing your insights. Travel makes us indeed different. They also say that when we travel, we can never go back to our old self.
DeleteReally enjoyed reading this :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I would add as personal experience is this: Travelling helps to get to know yourself! You will be able to see yourself in a way that's rare in the everyday life.
Thanks for additional input!
DeleteYes, I believe it can make you a better person. I wish I could travel more but with kids, you can't just up and go whenever you want. Maybe in a few years or so!
ReplyDeleteYou can also travel to the nearest town or city. That could be a good start :)
DeleteIt's true that traveling opens one up to new cultures, experiences, and people. It also lets you know that one culture, race, ppl are not better than another one.
ReplyDeleteAnd the best is you gained more friends along the way!
DeleteI completely agree. There is no book, lecture or lesson that can teach you what travel teaches you.
ReplyDeleteAnd no one will judge you unlike during exams (ohh exams sucks, lol).
DeleteI agree! Traveling allows you to experience different cultures activities that may not exist in your present environment. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are always welcome dear! Keep on exploring our blog :)
DeleteI love to travel since young. Traveling can make me a better person.
ReplyDeleteHello Linda,
DeleteAnd I do hope that you future kids will enjoy travel too!
Just returned from back to back trips and I can't agree more with your article. What I do not like about travelling, though, is the anti-climax feeling of returning to reality!
ReplyDeleteYeah that's sucks. But we still have a choice to go back... or not!
DeleteThis is a great post! Traveling has allowed me to gain new perspective and I think it has made me more well rounded. I always encourage the people around me to travel cause it definitely opens up mind to new possibilities.
ReplyDelete~Crissy
www.whimsicalfawn.com
Thank you Crissy for your wonderful input!
DeleteLife is an adventure and I believe learning new cultures and exploring the world around us is a great way to enhance your life. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to travel. I live vicariously through travel blogs...lol
ReplyDeleteHello Dear,
DeleteDon't worry because that's a good start! You will be able to travel soon, trust me :)
yes, yes, yes, I agree.... travel is food for my soul... if I can not travel I'll rather be dead....but travel also means new places in my own country, of course, not just traveling overseas...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Meira. You can always start travelling to your nearby towns and cities. Not every knows about it :)
Deletedefinitely yes. it opens your horizon, you can throw yourself into challenges that you couldn't imagine you would be able to pass.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Thank you for visiting Gengqian!
DeleteHi! Start travelling to the nearest city, then out-of-town!
ReplyDeleteOf course that traveling makes you a better person also you can learn so much about life...The best therapy is travelling :)
ReplyDeleteYeah you forgot the pass and focus on the present Thanks!
DeleteI think anytime you can see how other people live you become a smarter more well-rounded person.
ReplyDeleteNo textbook and teach you the great value of life during travel.
DeleteI agree with you. Which is why I love to travel. It's grows you as a person. But before traveling, one should know what's the objective of said trip. If not, you'll just end up seeing wherever you're at with your eyes and not your heart.
ReplyDeleteThat is also true Bella. And thank you for sharing your insights :)
DeleteI think that travel can make us a better and wiser person. See the world and learn from others.
ReplyDeleteHello Sunshine, that is so true. Thanks for always visiting!
DeleteI miss travel, hope can do more this year :)
ReplyDeleteYou will very soon!
DeleteI used to travel a few years back and I must say, those are the best days of my single life. This year, our family is scheduled for a Korea trip this May. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteMhaan | www.mommyrockininstyle.com
Wow that's awesome sis! Your trip to Korea will bring you and your family new memories to treasure :)
DeleteTravelling is one of the thing that makes me feel alive. l Love to see new places and experience something different from what l do everyday
ReplyDeleteHello Joy,
DeleteThat's great! Continue to travel and discover the world as it is beautiful!