Shopping may make for great retail therapy, but traveling can fix things you didn't even know you felt. Traveling brings to light the things that are truly important to you and reminds you of what matters in life, while making some incredible memories.
1. Finding pieces of yourself in different places of the world.
It's a funny feeling when you get to a place you've never been before and suddenly feel at peace. While spending time there, you find little pieces of yourself throughout the trip. You can't explain what you're finding or feeling, but you know that you're becoming a better version of yourself. And when it's time to leave, you know you took full advantage of the experience, but you'll always miss that time and feeling.
2. To better understand the world around you.
Everyone has heard "walk a mile in someone else's shoes," and sometimes it's eye opening, while other times it's just eye rolling. But traveling and truly experiencing another culture opens your eyes to what it's actually like to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. You become more understanding and open to ideas of the world.
3. Say yes to once in a lifetime opportunities.
You don't have to pull a total "Yes Man" stunt, but sometimes when you're presented with an opportunity you just have to say, "yes!" Instead of finding reasons not to, find reasons to do it. Who knows the next time you'll be in such a place with whatever opportunity it may be. So buy the selfie stick, eat the cake, go skydiving—whatever it may be, try it.
4. Meet "Soul Mates" in other places of the world.
When you take the opportunity to explore a new place and meet new people, you slowly find pieces of yourself in other people, you don't become dependent, you find little qualities that you haven't encountered before that trigger something in you. There are certain people that are meant to be in your life to change it and alter your path, it's all to bring you full circle and bring more happiness and awareness than you've ever had before.
5. Traveling becomes a lifestyle.
When you travel, you find new ways of doing things. Normally, it's packing less which leads to having a more simplified wardrobe. That can also be a metaphor of your life, prioritizing what's most important to you when traveling and when at home. It opens your eyes to what truly matters to you so that when you return home, you carry on these little life lessons that each trip has given you.
6. You find confidence in life you never realized you had.
Taking a trip somewhere you've never been before is so important. It pushes you into situations that you probably wouldn't normally be in, whether it's asking someone at the airport where to find your gate, or taking yourself out to eat to enjoy your own company, or setting out on a 14-day hiking trip with a group of people you've never met before. All of these things can push a person's limits and make them do things they wouldn't normally do in their day to day routines, which leads to confidence in themselves by proving they can do it.
7. Adds diversity to your life and lifestyle.
Traveling can open anyone's eyes to the world around us and how it is so diverse. New places introduce you to new groups of people, but that's the beauty of traveling: You see things around you and how people live that you've never met. Giving you a new perspective on people's "differences" and realizing maybe they're not so bad, and are we all really that different after all?
8. Sometimes you need reminded of how big the world truly is.
Everyone has a bad day. Sometimes it's a bad month or even a bad year; no matter how long you struggle, traveling can remind you of what's important to you and what you're capable of doing. Take the time to treat yourself to a trip, even if it's just a day trip to get out of the normal routine.
9. Makes you want to embrace your hometown.
Traveling gives you a set amount of time in these places, but it also gives you an appreciation for where you get to come home to. It makes you want to embrace and explore your home. Take the time to be a tourist in your own town. Sometimes it's even more fun to experience it and realize that you're lucky enough to actually live there. Make every day an adventure, no matter where you may be.
