Traveling influences our lives in so many positive ways. Whether it’s an around the world adventure or the occasional weekend away, it’s an important part of being our best selves. In 2015, my husband and I set off on our first big adventure. We bought and lived in a car for three months as we drove around Western Europe.
That trip opened my eyes to how important it is to travel. And living in the back of a car, with very little money, proved to me that experiences are more important than things. I believe travel (in any form) is something that everyone should do as often as they can. And here’s why…
7 Reasons Why Traveling is Good for Your Body, Mind, and Soul
1. It reminds you what’s important
Life is short, and the world is big! When you leave your little corner of the world you remember just how wonderful the rest of it is. When I’m old, I want to be able to look back on all the amazing adventures I’ve had whilst traveling.
Go out and experience the world. Do you honestly believe that when you’re grey and old, are you going to look back and reminisce about the things you once owned? Unlikely. You’re going to look back on all those incredible places you saw, and people you met along the way.
2. It helps you discover your authentic self
Traveling helps you discover who you are. Whether you’re raised in a small village or a big city, you’re always influenced by your peers. Seeing new places and meeting different people allows you to discover who you really are.
It can be easy to get wrapped up in everyday life and forget that there’s a whole world out there. Taking some time for yourself can help you rediscover what truly makes you happy.
3. It boosts your confidence
Traveling is great for personal growth. Not to mention the more you travel the more confident you’ll feel.
Traveling to unknown places (especially alone) can be nerve-wracking, but you know what they say, life begins at the end of your comfort zone!
Pushing yourself to do things you never thought you would (or could) is the best way to prove to yourself just how amazing you are.
4. It teaches us to embrace every moment
After I left university my sole focus was to get a good job with a good salary and eventually move to London to pursue my career. I thought this was what I was supposed to do now that I had a degree. I thought this was what I wanted. But after about six months of living back at home and desperately trying to get any type of work experience or internship, I met my husband and everything changed.
We went traveling and it totally changed my perspective on life.
I no longer cared about getting the best salary or fighting my way up the career ladder. I no longer wanted to live or commute to London…
Listen, when it comes down to it, possessions are just things – you can’t take them with you when your time’s up! And your career might be satisfying for a while, but life isn’t just about working! Seize every opportunity to make memories. They’re what really matters.
5. It reminds you to live for the now
As someone who suffers from anxiety, one of my biggest problems is that I spend a great deal of my time dreading what might happen, instead of enjoying what is happening.
Let go of the past, don’t worry about the future, and enjoy the now!
Traveling is a great way to be spontaneous. To go on adventures and to be inspired. If your traveling style is anything like ours, we like to turn up and make it up as we go! We’ve found this is the best approach and has led to some of our best stories (like the time we accidentally ended up on a terrifying car ferry going through the center of a Swiss mountain – but we laugh about it now!).
6. It allows you to meet new people and fall in love
The people we meet have a huge impact on our lives. Meeting people from different backgrounds broadens our horizons, and reminds us of how unique we all are. Plus it’s always great to make new friends to go on adventures with.
And as for falling in love, this doesn’t have to mean romantically (though that is always a possibility).
You could fall in love with a new country, language, religion, sport – whatever it is! Travel opens your mind to so many new and exciting things!
7. For freedom
And finally, there is nothing so free as travelling the world. Personally, this is my favourite thing about it. You can go anywhere, and do anything – the world is your oyster. So when things get too much, book a trip away! Take some time out to recharge. And hey, maybe even turn off your phone if you want to go totally off the grid. Sometimes these moments are the most important.
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