I personally have been pretty lucky when it has come to the traveling department of life (since I was a little girl) because my dad's business has often allowed my sister, mom and I to travel with him to new places. I pretty much grew up traveling, but it was not until I grew up a little bit more and realized how blessed I truly am.

Once I went to college and grew up a bit, I realized how much I really do appreciate vacations and any opportunities to travel to new places, because I always come back learning so much more about different cultures, people, places and become familiar with new cities. Traveling isn't as easy to do once you begin to grow up because with growing up, comes many responsibilities amongst a typical daily life that one cannot just blow off.

Whenever I travel as a college student with my family or friends, it's a slightly lengthy process to coordinate days and times that work with everyone's schedule because we all have classes, work and other obligations on the daily to abide by.

When I do get the chance to "flee" from my responsibilities (ha, I definitely don't flee as how it feels in my head when I leave for vacay because I always make sure to request off work at least two weeks in advance and that I'm not missing anything important in my classes), I really try and take every moment in.

It actually wasn't until I started getting into the practice of mindfulness where I realized how truly essential it is to take in moments and appreciate where I'm at. Going to new places and getting out of the city you live in, no matter where it is you're going, is truly a blessing. It's not every day that we're able to just take off from our daily lives and go see the world, but whenever we have the opportunity, it is SO important to take it.

Traveling is honestly so good and enriching for your soul because not only do you get a mental break from your hectic life at home (my life is great where I live, but it's very busy and sometimes, especially during the school year with classes and everything else going on with my sorority, work, etc., I feel like I don't get too much time for myself), but you also get to do a little bit of soul-searching in a new place.

As I'm currently writing this article on my flight to California, I urge you, just like I plan on doing throughout this trip, to take in each and every moment next time you are given the chance to travel, even if it means just getting out of your city to a town not too far away from yours for a day with your besties.

Traveling is such a beautiful experience as you get to meet new people and go to new places, and I think that aspect that leads to a lot of personal growth and development often fails to go through our minds.

Be sure to take photos and get those bomb Insta pics, but make sure you are also not missing the moment.

Take in the sunsets or the sunrises or heck, why not both?

Make sure to take in moments and appreciate those you are traveling with,

but also make sure to meet new people and remain friendly and open to new cultures in new cities/ towns.

But, most importantly, make sure to do all of these things but also find your happy place in this new destination. As you embark on this journey, whether it's traveling to Tokyo for a study abroad semester, or just going to the city right next to yours for a day trip, make sure to focus on learning more not only for yourself but about yourself.

New places and experiences help with soul-searching, hence, why it is so important to take in all of the moments that you can.

With that, being said, in the wise words of the one and only passed legend,

"If you are 32, physically fit, hungry to learn to be better, I urge you to travel, as far and as widely as possible." — Anthony Bourdain.