Before you start reading my reasons as to why I’m okay with going broke from traveling you should know, my first big trip I went on was to Germany, the Czech Republic and Salzburg. I was on this trip for about 15 days and my parents paid for all of it. I repeat, my parents paid for all of it. So technically I wasn’t broke yet. Little did I know, this one trip would create a frenzy inside of me that ignited the passion of wanting to travel anywhere and everywhere as soon as possible. My parents then gave me a speech saying they were done paying for me to travel the world. Since that trip I have traveled to places such as Mexico, Dominica, St. Maarten, Barbados and St. Kitts and I’m currently planning a three-week vacation to Europe right now. Traveling just does something for me. It creates an excitement inside of me that I only get from going to new destinations and experiencing new adventures. Every time I come home from a trip I have no money, and I’m okay with that. These are my reasons why.

1. You learn more about yourself when traveling, more than you will at any other time in your life.

You face challenges and learn to conquer fears. You become a problem-solver. Traveling has taught me to be a more humble person and has really shaped me and shown me the kind of person I want to be. You discover yourself when you travel.

2. As a person, I’ve become more cultured and traveling has given me a taste of the world.

I’ve experienced different sides of the world, different people, and different ways of life.

3. Traveling gives you the ability to help others.

Whether it’s volunteer opportunities or a simple act of kindness. Being able to help people that live in a different country than you is a very different experience than just helping someone back home.

4. You grow as a person and gain self-confidence.

Let me tell you, the first time you get lost in a giant city all by yourself, you won’t forget that. Traveling puts you in situations where you have to mature and have confidence in yourself, even when you don’t have Google maps to tell you where to go.

5. Lets put it this way, I would much rather be broke sitting on a beach off the coast of Greece, than be broke sitting in the middle of Kansas, then again, wouldn’t anyone?

That's a no-brainer.

6. It’s an investment.

Think of it this way, traveling is the one thing that will teach you more about life than your ordinary 9 to 5 job.

7. While traveling, you meet the most interesting people.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet people from around the world.

8. Traveling really puts your life into perspective.

You get to see how people live in other countries. You will see poverty, wealth, sadness and happiness in a different way than you see back home.

9. Traveling makes you smarter.

Traveling can be challenging mentally and physically. You’ll learn to have a different perspective on things and you’ll have a new appreciation for the things you have.

10. You learn to live in the moment.

You’ll learn to throw your cares aside and enjoy new places, new people and new moments.

11. Traveling gives me happiness.

This is the most important reason why I’m OK with going broke from traveling. It fills my heart with excitement and adventure and it fills my eyes with new places and faces. And most of all, it gives you stories you can tell years from now.

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