If you can’t think of reasons why you must travel, let me enlighten you.
#1. Life’s too short – We already have a set number of days to begin with, and death always comes unannounced. So why not explore, learn and appreciate while we are alive. It’s simple, go travel.
#2. New experience – We get accustomed to living in the same place, with the same people and in the same routines. We prefer our comfort zones when faced with a challenge. Traveling provides you with the chance to step out of your comfort zone and experience something new. We all crave novelty in our lives and can certainly benefit from different experiences.
#3. See life through a different lens – We like to play safe and stick to what we know because the “UNKNOWN” is always frightening to us. By playing safe and sticking to our own perceptions, we never venture out to see life through a different lens. Traveling gives you the liberty to see life in a different context without feeling overburdened or accountable in any way.
#4. Meeting new people – Starting a conversation with a total stranger seems like the hardest thing for me. I believe I am not alone in feeling this way. Although, it may seem nerve racking but meeting different people has its perks. Meeting new people helps you explore new ideas, see life from a new frame of reference, and understand diverse culture and values. It’s a great learning experience in itself.
There will be diversity, uniqueness and eccentricity among the new people we meet, yet we will have much that is common and relatable.
#5. Element of surprise and uncertainty – What makes our trip unique, is not everything that went as planed, but the elements of surprise and uncertainty. Those are the moments that make our memories. And such memories serve us for life. Who doesn’t like a good plan but sometimes the best plans are those where surprise and uncertainty crashes in.
#6. Allows you to enjoy the present without calculating your next move – Traveling is the perfect time to enjoy the “Present” without thinking of your 401K plan, the broken pipe in the bathroom that needs to be replaced or the next tax payment. You are here now so embrace it. Stop calculating your next move.
#7. Time to think or reflect – In today’s fast paced life, we hardly take out the time to think or reflect. Traveling gives you the space to think as you are no longer hindered by the normal day to day factors. You are free to see things from a better perspective. Reflection allows you to be more mindful about your life and be more grateful for it.
#8. Enjoying different world cuisine – I never thought in my life that seaweed could be delicious till I tried it, and to my utter surprise I actually liked it. Now I’m the kind who loves to try different cuisines. It’s on my bucket list to try silk worm in South Korea. It may sound odd to you, but if I never try, then how would I know what they taste like. I believe this is what’s great about foreign food. The more open you are to trying different cuisines, the more possibilities you have for finding stuff your taste buds might actually like. Every kind of cuisine has its appeal and food says a lot about people and their culture. So, next time you get the chance, just try something new for the heck of it. Just remember; you have nothing to lose.
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
Ursula K. Le Guin
Rest of the points about why you must travel will be covered in part 2. Stay tuned for it.
Maybe you found something unique in your travel adventures, would love to hear from you.
This article was originally published on June 2, 2017 and has been updated on June 15, 2020.
