Why I Love Travel
This past year has been the most amazing travel year for me. A true love for travel has taken a huge priority in my life. I’ve been able to do things that I had started thinking were impossible. With all these adventures, it’s time to look back at how it all started. For years, when I looked at the people around me, I felt displaced. Everyone appeared to have a sense of belonging and roots holding them in place. For me, there was none. There was a world outside of my immediate vicinity and I wanted to be a part of it. Travel was the answer. But, how could I? Where would I go? How could I afford it? Traveling seemed just outside of my reach. When we decide to travel, we begin wandering different parts of the world that are calling to us. This blog series will help explain why travel is good for you.
Ready to Travel
It was 2019 when it all changed. After surviving a major health emergency, I vowed to make traveling a regular part of my life. I had taken a few trips before this, yet they were far and few between. No longer satisfied with viewing pictures from others’ social media, I knew I had to see more for myself. I was ready to travel and wander. I knew that travel would be good for me. It was time to travel. Since 2019, I have gone on countless trips. Some travels were shorter than others. Some were with family members and other trips were solo. There were road trips during the early days of the pandemic and then I was finally able to incorporate air travel as well, even taking a short cruise. I loved every minute of every trip. Planning for adjustments, delays and cancellations have all been a part of the travel experience and with the right mindset, I was able to enjoy every moment.
Reasons Why People Love Travel
There are varied reasons explaining why people love to travel. Wanderlust comes to mind. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it means to have a strong longing for or impulse toward wandering. The etymology of wanderlust is a straightforward one that you can probably figure out yourself. Wanderlust is a lust for wandering. The word comes from German, in which wandern means “to hike or roam about,” and Lust means “pleasure or delight.” Another reason is simply to get out of our comfort zone, the level at which we function with easiness. Unfortunately, we tend to get comfortable living our daily lives. There’s no change or challenges. We don’t have to think about where we are going or where we are going to eat. It is already been predetermined. We follow the routine. But frankly, it does not have to be that way.
Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone to Travel More
Let’s dive into a few examples of why it was important to me to get out of my comfort zone and use travel as a way to do it. The very act of transporting myself to a new destination, leaving my routine behind, and immersing myself in something unfamiliar is exhilarating. It is easy to be fearful of the unknown. However, there is strength to be found when challenging yourself to a new experience and succeeding. It makes me feel fearless and I learn more about my capabilities. In other words, travel is good for us. When you begin planning your next adventure, you can determine if you will be traveling solo or if you would like a companion. Sometimes, the right companion can help overcome some of those fears. You can pick the situation that is right for you. Watch out for the excuses and the what-ifs. If we are not careful, we can talk ourselves out of anything.
Ideas to Help You Travel More
When I travel, I can learn about myself but I can also learn about other communities and cultures. In this way, travel can be good for you as a whole. It is necessary to have the correct mindset when arriving in each city, state, or country. Each one will have its own unique set of circumstances, and we’ll definitely talk about that as we continue our journey together. One easy way to learn about a new destination is to begin research online. You may find that the destinations have tourism websites, visitor centers, and even a local chamber of commerce. This can help you begin a plan about what you might be interested in. Upon arrival, you may also visit these locations in person. The staff will have tons of information about a multitude of sites and/or activities and they are generally open every day. This is a great opportunity to learn some history and culture about your particular location, you might even score a discounted or free activity!
Travel is good for you…Want to Travel More?
Ultimately, your travel plans are yours and there is an adventure waiting for you at every corner. If the ideas seem overwhelming, start with small steps in your local area and continue moving forward from there. This is just the first of my Travel is Good for you series so please join me as I continue to provide thoughts and tips about how you can travel more. Our world is so interesting and I don’t want you to miss out.
