His Holiness knows what’s up! And why not listen to him? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Are you unsure if you should take the plunge and go explore? Day-dreaming of far away lands? Is society telling you to ‘be responsible?’

Whether you’re traveling near or far, your experience will be life changing. Timing may never seem right and there are always excuses to be made: costs too much money, not enough time, too much work to do. But trust me, it’ll be the best decision you ever make. There will always be excuses to hold you back – but spending your time traveling to a new place is an investment in yourself. What if you fired up your inner-entrepreneur… could you make some money while on the road? Either way, your “on the road education” will benefit you for the rest of your life.

The following 6 travel lessons have impacted my life more than I could have ever imagined. This is what keeps me coming back for more, year after year.

Pin me first? Then keep reading!

1) Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Getting out of your comfort zone is uncomfortable! No one said it would be easy, but if everything was easy – what fun would there be in this world? Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you! When you’re challenged outside of what’s familiar to you, major growth happens internally. You will come out on the other side a better and stronger person.

Are you feeling stagnant in life like things aren’t going your way? Job promotion not coming soon enough? Getting out of your comfort zone could be just the recipe you need to discover that new-found confidence to make the changes you need to in your life back home.

2) Perspective, perspective, perspective.

Learning new cultures and ways of life can be extremely eye-opening. Go in with an open mind, and come out with a new lens on life. Observing how people live their lives in other countries is fascinating. It may not seem “normal” at first – but that’s the beauty of it. It’ll shed some new light on old habits and routines. Once you bring this new perspective to your home turf, you’ll begin to view everyday things differently and reevaluate what’s really important to you. Expect a greater appreciation for the little things in life.

3) Get lost to find your way. And (maybe) yourself!

Exploring new terrain can be confusing. There are times you may get completely lost whether on the street or during a conversation in Spanglish. Whatever it may be, trust that you’ll always find your way. It may not be the initial way you had planned – but that’s part of the experience! Learning to just “go with it” is key during your travels. Getting caught up in having expectations for things to go a certain way can drag you and the others you’re with down.

Don’t worry – we all get lost! Through these moments you’ll discover a lot about yourself and how you react in those situations. All great insight to carry with you once you return back home.

4) Discover what really matters.

The “things” you once placed a lot of value on at home, don’t seem to matter as much when you’re on the road. Remember all the flashy cars and clothes and houses you cared so much about? Those things don’t have much value when you’re traveling. They are only status symbols designed to let everyone know you’ve “made it.” But have you really made it? Is that what success means?

Traveling is all about living in the present moment and sharing it with those around you. Gradually, you begin to realize that the connections you make within yourself and those you surround yourself with are what truly matter.

5) Connect with new people.

We are all human and crave a genuine human connection. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this crazy thing called life together. At the end of the day, we all share the same struggles and seek similar desires (safety, friendship, and a fair shot at happiness). Bonding with new people and making friends is one of the most wonderful and rewarding things about traveling.

You not only create fun memories, but friendships that could last a lifetime (not to mention free places to stay next time you travel!).

6) Better than a Master’s Degree.

The things you learn from traveling cannot be taught in any formal schooling. I’m not saying you shouldn’t invest in education – but you’ll be better off in the end if you supplement your formal education with travel. The life lessons you learn on the road will impact you for years to come.

“The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one” – Malcolm Forbes

There is something exhilarating about exploring new and unfamiliar environments. You may get lost and have to find your way, you may encounter uncomfortable situations and be forced to deal with it — but all along the path you are learning about yourself and how you fit into our beautiful world! No matter how far you go, traveling is bound to teach you something. This new-found wisdom can be applied to all facets of your life back home, and for future travels. The importance of travel in one’s lifetime is crucial in leading a balanced life.







What has travel taught you?

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