I recommend that every person should take the opportunity to go travelling and see what’s out there in the big wide world. After experiencing what it’s like to have that sense of freedom and adventure, I can safely say that travelling is one of the best things I’ve ever done. So many people (myself included) feel an element of pressure to jump into the career game, move one step towards a mortgage and pay of their mountain of student debt before they reach 25. But in the grand scheme of things, what’s 1 year out of 80? Don’t you think that it’s good to get out there, experience life in a different way and discover what’s truly important to you?
I’m a strong believer in the well-known cliché that travelling makes you richer. Ironically, your bank balance will suffer, but you will grow as an individual in so many ways, develop a deeper understanding of the way the world works and of course, build a scrapbook of memories and adventures that you can recall to your kids in years to come.
So, here are my top 6 reasons why you should go travelling. If after reading this you decide you don’t want any of these things, then travelling isn’t for you. But if by the end of this post you’re desperately trying to find reasons why you SHOULDN’T go travelling this year, I think that’s a sure sign that going and seeing the world is something that should fall high on your priority list.
See things from a new perspective
Travelling undoubtedly makes you see things from a new perspective. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the little things when you’re at home, so travelling truly opens your eyes and you develop an appreciation for the small things in life. When you travel to new countries you learn how different cultures work and how people live in diverse ways. You begin to realise that your actions in fact have consequences, and that every person is accountable in a different way. I’ve developed a strong sense of obligation to look after the environment, protect our planet and promote wildlife conservation because I see how our actions at home and as tourists can have such a huge impact.
Build your confidence
There is nothing more empowering than travelling the world. Although you might find it daunting at first, you’ll soon adapt and begin to trust yourself more and more every day. When you find yourself climbing up a mountain in the middle of the night, abseiling down 60ft waterfalls or scuba diving with sharks, you’ll soon realise that you’re stronger than you think. Before you know it, you’ll be seeking new challenges, travelling to new countries and seizing bigger opportunities without even questioning your abilities.
Learn about you
Exposing yourself to new experiences and new cultures inevitably teaches you about yourself. You’ll understand where your strengths and weaknesses lie, and you’ll find ways to overcome each situation and work on your abilities. I realised whilst I was hanging off the side of a mountain that I may be scared of heights (yep, this realisation hit me when I was hanging off a cliff with a 600m drop below), but I definitely wouldn’t have learnt this had I stayed at home. On a deeper level, travelling makes you realise what’s important to you in life, whether that’s being close to family, progressing in a career or seeing more of the world. Putting yourself in new situations will always teach you to deal with things in different ways, which you can then apply to other circumstances in later life.
Connect with new people
When you’re immersing yourself in different cultures, partying until dawn and sharing rooms with strangers, you’ll undoubtedly connect with people from all walks of life. Sure, you may subconsciously seek out like-minded people, but every individual will have a different story and background and you can always learn something from each and every person. As nice as it is to have your cliques back home, travelling breaks down all barriers and it becomes acceptable to speak to anyone without any inhibitions, which is always a beautiful feeling.
Appreciate what you have
Nothing makes you appreciate home more than travelling. When you open your mind to other cultures and ways of life, you soon begin to appreciate that what you have at home isn’t all that bad. Remember all those times you complained about having a lukewarm shower, or when you moaned because the new iPhone was sold out? I’m definitely guilty of that, but travelling has taught me to appreciate that I do have clean, running water and fine foods at my disposal. Travelling teaches you to value what you have and to never take for granted the luxuries in life that appear so unimportant to us, but could be life changing for someone else.
Make the most out of life
Nothing motivates you more than getting yourself out of your comfort zone, experiencing new things and discovering that there is more to life than the borders of your home country. Travelling gives you the confidence to chase your dreams and realise that if you want something so badly, you can go get it! Ultimately, travelling plagues you with the travel bug. Once you see one country, you’ll feel inspired to see more of the world and seize every opportunity that life has to offer.
