An homage to travel
We all do at least some form of travel throughout our lifetime. Be it in our own country to places nearby, summer holidays to warmer weather or full out backpacking for longer periods of time. Common for most of these is that it feels good, and it’s a form of escaping from our day to day lives. However, travel is so much more than just escapism and we can get a lot in return from travelling if only we keep our minds open. We can learn many things about the people around us, but even more importantly about ourselves.
Get out of your comfort zone
Getting out of our comfort zone can be difficult for many, and as we travel it might be easier to go for the more comfortable options. In that way we make sure that we stay as much as we can within our comfort zone. However, using travel as a way to try new things, experience something different and being open to the unknown is what makes travelling so special. It’s in these moments we find unexpected joy that can lead to new passions or ways to view the world. It’s these types of experience that connect us and help make the world a better place.
Expand your horizon
Learning about different cultures and bridging the gap is another reason why you should travel. By being locked inside your own culture and norms, you are missing out on a whole world full of life and beauty. By exploring and being open, your time on this planet gets more rich and complex as you peel back the layers of humanity. If we all had the same background the world would be a pretty dull place if you ask me. Therefore it is so important that we celebrate our differences and learn from each other. By expanding our horizons there is so much to discover.
Give back to the community
Giving back to the communities might be an even better reason to travel than for our own personal growth. By travelling you are, even without thinking about it, supporting the local community. By staying in hotels, eating at restaurants and buying souvenirs on the street you are helping people make a living. All of this helps feed the families of the people that rely on that income. I know from my travels that in some parts of the world you can feel a sense of guilt from not helping out more, not buying anything or even from staying in fancy places. Luckily just by being there you are contributing to that society and the people in it.
Reflect on your new experiences
By travelling around the world there will be a time where you start to reflect on your life. On the world and what you think of it, but also your place in it. It is common to travel and start looking at your own life. How privileged you are being able to travel, or maybe how unhappy you are with your situation back home. These are all important reflections to make. By realising either your privilege or unhappiness, it will force you to make better choices. Both for your self and for the world around you. By being more conscious of these little things as we go about with our daily lives, we can make it a better world for all.
Travel makes the world a better place
As you can see the effects of travelling are many. Not only on ourselves but on the world around us. By travelling we put ourselves in unfamiliar places which pushes us out of our comfort zones to places where we can find immense growth. Also by seeing other parts of the world we can learn to appreciate the differences we have, and at the same time understand it’s all part of the same thing. Travel is a way you can support others by giving back to their towns and be a part of their successes. After any trip is also the great feeling of returning home to our comforts and loved ones, and gives us the best time to reflect on our new experiences. Combining all this shows that travel can ultimately help us make this world a better place for everyone.
