Many people give excuses for not exploring, backpacking, and going on exciting trips. While the thrill and fun that comes with these activities has always been understood, it is important to know how travelling develops you and makes you a better person.
1. You become fearless
They say curiosity can kill the cat. But what if curiosity should save the cat? It definitely makes it smarter and stronger. Traveling doesn’t simply excite you; it makes you find the inner strength you never thought you had. You are willing to cross boundaries and take on new challenges.
2. You become more attentive
It is like seeing the world from a multidimensional angle. You pay attention to everything you see or who you meet. Because really, you wouldn’t travel all the way to a destination and not want to take some interesting story back home. So travelling makes you more attentive.
3. You are more interesting
You wouldn’t meet a new person or start a new relationship and not have something fun to say. You are not stuck with limited experiences. You can tell people, “On my last visit to Brazil, I saw a blue whale.” And people love to listen to you because you have some interesting experiences to share.
4. You are more tolerant
Getting out of your comfort zone and seeing the cultural and ethnic diversity that exists around you makes you aware that the world is not just about you. You can tolerate other people’s opinions and beliefs and not allow this to set barriers to a relationship with them.
5. You are more detail-oriented
Now you can be careful of what you say and how you say it. You can also be detailed in those things that others will probably not even notice. Little things that may have gone unnoticed by you become not so little any more, but have relevance, because your stay in a foreign territory made you appreciate the seemingly little things.
6. You are more aware
You are grateful for moments. You find out and discover what you really are. Travelling can offer you experiences that mirror you to yourself. You can laugh more and relax. You learn to chill and let the moment pass, because you gain nothing from travel when you worry about everything.
7. You are more reflective
You are in a new environment. You have more cause to think and be more creative. You ask yourself why they dress this way, why do they talk or greet each other this way. You are puzzled, and this awakens your senses to value every piece of the moment.
8. You are free
Traveling offers you freedom and knowledge. Freedom is a catalyst for change in perception and identity.
9. You are healthier
Traveling contributes to your physical and mental health. Think of all that swimming, or laying at the beach side, or challenging your brain to learn what the other person has to say to you.
10. You are happier
People who spend their money on such experience as traveling are happier. You can warm up to the realness of the world and identify yourself with experiences that will become memorable.
11. You are grateful
A large portion of the world has to deal with threats such as hunger, violence, and disease. Traveling makes you appreciate those things you have and how you can contribute to making the world a better place.
12. You are willing to try new things
What may have seemed impossible and daunting for you in the past becomes less daunting. You are pushed to try new things. Traveling makes you more willing to take risks.
13. You value the world
There is always a pain in the goodbyes. You wish you could stay. You wish you could make your traveled destination a home. But you have to go. And from afar, wherever you are or may be at the moment, you will always be attached to the places you have visited.
Featured photo credit: http://www.flickr.com via flickr.com
