The Benefits of Traveling
- Donna P.
- Feb 25, 2016
- 2 min read
Get out there: make new friends, create memories and explore the world! If I could go to 12 new places a year, I would. Traveling to new places is like a journey of self exploration and growth. I’m not talking about your beachy all-inclusive vacation in the Caribbean. Take a journey to somewhere you’ve never gone before and experience how different cultures live whether in your home country or abroad. Getting away can be extremely beneficial.
Gain Point of View
Traveling gives you a new point of view. When you learn about other cultures, you learn about other people: how they see life, what they deal with and what they value. For example, my grandparents were born in Italy and came to the US in the 1920’s. My grandmother walked everywhere. She never learned how to drive and I never knew her to use public transportation. After visiting Italy, I learned Italians walk everywhere giving me an understanding of why my grandmother always walked. Traveling gives you a better perspective on your own life and a better understanding of a culture that may be very different than your own.
Gain Ability
When traveling, new experiences increase our ability to deal with new situations. If you travel abroad for the first time, you may experience cultural shock. Things like language, food and freedoms may be very different than you're used to; but, having the ability to adapt even for a short time, optimizes your resourcefulness. Be open to change. Trying new experiences can broaden your horizons.
Personal Growth
Trying something new opens one up to personal growth and to posssibly enjoy something new. How do you know you won’t like something, if you don’t try it? My husband is forever pushing me out of my comfort zone. I am secretly thankful, because at times, I feel most alive when experiencing new things outside of my comfort zone. Without these traveling break out sessions from the norm, there would be no personal growth.
Meet New People
Traveling allows you to meet you people. I have found that other travelers like to share their experiences making it very easy to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. Relationships are a meaningful part of our lives and you never know where or when you’ll meet your next close friend or future love of your life.
Create Memories
Traveling creates memories that can last a lifetime. I have tons of photos of my trips, but photos only capture a moment in time and always don’t capture how you were feeling or what the experience was really like. Having memories with family or friends, creates bonds; something that can’t be erased. Plus, getting together and sharing your memories can transport you back to your travels allowing you to relive a moment in time. Beside major life moments, some of my best memories come from my travels.
Overall, traveling allows you to break out of your comfort zone. Breaking away from your norm and your comfort zone gives you personal growth through new experiences.