‘The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.’
– Saint Augustine
Traveling first turns us into witnesses, then storytellers. It brings out versions of ourselves we did not know existed. As fresh travelers, we reckon we know ourselves until we are thrust into new situations and voila! We meet parts of us we never saw before! In this article, we look at five main advantages that travel brings to our day to day life.
1. Travel spurs the mind
Nothing quite stifles creativity like routine. Conversely, through travel, you get a change of perspective, which is a sure-fire way to revamp your creativity. Encounters with new environments broaden our understanding and even provoke fresh approaches to common issues.
Travels bring with them fresh ideas. Exposure to new environments is said to open new neural connections in our brains, which leads to a spike in our IQ!
A perfect example of how travel can impact our creativity is the 14th Dalai Lama, whose 75-day trip to 12 European countries has seen him publish 100 books. He is also a guest editor on French Vogue not to mention a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize
2. Helps in creating tolerance and empathy
By visiting new places and people, we come across different personalities and different approaches to life. Travel is, by its very nature, an unpredictable endeavor in some respects.
Consequently, when things do not go as planned during our excursions, we learn and adopt coping mechanisms and achieve a higher level of tolerance. These coping mechanisms are not just limited to situations but extend to other people, their personalities as well as culture, which may not necessarily mirror our own.
It is not surprising, therefore, that some of the world’s greatest philanthropists, such as Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, are avid travelers. Travel encourages you to get out of your bubble and explore a different environment. An environment beyond yourself. It, therefore, has you witnessing and sharing in the joys and struggles of people beyond your immediate circles.
3. Networking
The most impactful aspect of travel is the people we meet along the way. While the activities we engage in and the places we visit are important, it is always the people who leave an indelible mark in our psyche. As a result of traveling, greater networks are built.
So, whether it is business-wise or in terms of social circles, these networks have the potential of enriching our lives. In the same vein, meeting and engaging with new people opens us up to greater business and self-improvement opportunities we would not have otherwise been aware of.
On a personal level, these interactions can also serve as a salve against loneliness and mild depressive tendencies in some people.
Travelling helps you to create a network of friends. After a couple trips you will make friends faster than a horse during the Breeders Cup challenge race.
4. Lifelong memories
Irrespective of whether you are traveling alone, with friends or family, jaunting around is a definite way to make lasting memories. Excursions are the gift that keeps on giving in more ways that one. For starters, it allows you to bond with loved ones, get to know new friends, new loves, or even reconnect and repair hitherto broken relationships.
For solo travelers, it presents an opportunity to explore new worlds, quench your curiosity, and test the limits of your Black Voyage vacuum compression backpack. Being fond of your own company is not a bad thing after all! Neither should it bar you from taking a fulfilling trip that feeds into your hobbies and interests. Travel mementos are best preserved through collection of souvenirs, journaling, collection of pictures among other things.
5. Fun
It is said that when the fun gets deep enough, it can heal the world. What better way to heal the world than traversing the globe? The key lies in being open-minded as you go about it. On every excursion, there is a ton of fun to be had, depending on how you look at it.
From the breathtaking discovery of picturesque landscapes of Machu Pichu in Peru, snorkeling in the Solomon Islands, or a big game safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, there is fun all over! All yours for the taking with just a little planning.
Conclusion
Life is an adventure to be experienced and savored. Travel does not need to be expensive or fancy. The most important aspect is that it feeds our soul.
Regardless of whether you opt for budget travel or not, an exploration of our world is a voyage of self-discovery with lessons learned every step of the way. What are you waiting for? Pack your essentials in your light backpack for travel. After all, isn’t life is about the moments we create and what we make of them?
