A while back, I toyed with the idea of starting a second blog. To be specific, I thought about starting a travel blog.
It only dawned on me recently that I didn’t need to, travel is already a key element of my existing theme here at Write Change Grow.
After all, travel can be a huge catalyst for change.
It can also be a platform for incredible growth particularly if you are traveling for an extended period of time or by yourself. Even more so if you do both.
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With that in mind, I would like to reflect on the 12 ways travel has changed my life. Let’s dive in.
1. Seeing how other people live
The first time I went to South East Asia was in 2000. I met my partner (we had been separated for five months at the time) and his best friend in Bangkok and then we traveled to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
I had never seen poverty to that degree before. I was overcome by an extreme case of culture shock.
It rocked me to my core.
What turned my stomach was seeing the Government buildings in some of the poorer countries – they were perfect. Perfect green grass, perfectly maintained. You could literally see the corruption.
Of course, this can swing to the other extreme as well. Seeing how people with incredible wealth live can be quite an eye-opener.
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2. Meeting new people
Whether they are locals, fellow travelers, or romantic interests, meeting people is by far one of the incredible things about traveling.
Some of the people you meet on your adventures may be in and out of your life in a short period of time.
Others can become trusted friends for years to come, future travel companions, or even spouses.
Related post – How to Meet People When You Travel
3. Experiencing new cultures
The food.
If you are a traveler, you will totally understand the thrill of these two words. Trying different types of food is a pure delight.
The history
Being a bit of a history buff, I love to dive into the history of a place.
The fact is certain towns, cities, and countries are more defined by their history than others. Coming from a fairly young country like Australia, leaves me in awe of just how much history one place can contain.
The people
When it all comes down to it the people make a place. How you interact with those people will have a huge bearing on the feeling you walk away with when you leave.
Even if you can’t communicate through discussion: a smile, wave or act of kindness can go a long way.
4. Cultivating a sense of curiosity and wonder
Do you ever wonder what people’s lives are like on a day-to-day basis in different countries? I certainly do.
When I travel I try to go where the locals’ shop. I go to the movies even if I can’t understand a word being said. I often try to peer into people’s apartments (okay that didn’t come out quite right, but hopefully you know what I mean).
I wonder what their homes look like, what type of furniture they have, their family structure, what they do for a living?
I wonder…
Related post – 12 Thought-Provoking Travel Quotes
5. Being amazed by the children
Despite the fact that they may be living in conditions that we consider awful, children still greet you with a smile and a laugh.
Their spirit and enthusiasm are astounding.
Children no matter where they are in the world just want to be children. They want to laugh, play, have fun and learn.
The children are not something you easily forget.
6. Embracing freedom
I love waking up in the morning and thinking – where will I go today?
Particularly in Europe, where you rock up to a train station and each platform takes you to a different country. Other than the odd visa restriction, it’s an open road.
Freedom for me means a few different things. Freedom to go where I want, freedom from corporate life back home and the opportunity to be spontaneous.
To stay somewhere a week just because I like it, to leave the next day if something or someone else takes my fancy.
I know there are people who go overseas and book every night’s accommodation. That is fine and often necessary on a short trip but I certainly wouldn’t book ahead if I was taking a longer one. Where is the spontaneity? Where is the joy of discovery? Yes, you might save a few dollars by booking your whole trip ahead of time, but you will miss out on so much more.
Related post – 8 Glorious Reasons You Should Travel By Yourself
7. Realizing how lucky you have it back home in Australia
We turn on the tap and drink the water. We brush our teeth without concern. Drinking the water out of the tap won’t kill us or make us sick.
We flick on a switch and the power comes on.
Until you go overseas and realize fresh drinking water and electricity are not the norm for a lot of people, you don’t truly appreciate what you have at home.
8. Letting go of stereotypes
I hate stereotyping. Statements like all Americans are obnoxious or all Australian backpackers are drunken party animals bugs the hell out of me.
Yes, there are always people who do fit into those categories (that is how the stereotype starts after all) but it is important to remember not everyone fits into those slots.
Far from it.
When I traveled to the United States, I realized that many people are friendly, interesting and helpful.
Related post – Stop Stereotyping and Labelling
9. Learning to trust your instincts
Traveling overseas, particularly as a single woman, really makes you tune into your instincts. The same instincts you may not listen to as closely at home.
If you feel unsafe there is normally a valid reason.
If you feel a sense of trust with a person, despite the fact you just met them on a Paris sidewalk there is usually a reason for that too.
10. Understanding travel can be good and bad for the environment
This one was a big wake-up call for me.
Tourists and travelers (whichever you choose to call yourself) can literally love a place to death.
We traipse in vast numbers over precious monuments and through natural wonders, taking with us mountains of plastic bottles and rubbish that will go on to do untold damage to the environment and the local people. And that’s just the start.
Yet in many cases, we also contribute to the lives of the locals and to the stability of their families.
I struggle with this one. I wish I knew the answer to how to find the right balance. I just know we need to keep working to find that balance and protect our planet.
11. Testing your relationship
It’s true what they say about traveling together.
It will either make or break a couple.
Sure a two-week vacation at a luxury resort shouldn’t cause any problems (at least you would hope that was the case) but try travelling together for an extended period of time and the result may be different.
Throw in lack of funds, sickness, exhaustion, excessive heat, and culture shock and your relationship could be truly tested.
Related post – Ask for What You Want in a Partner
12. Learning to be humble
One thing to avoid when it comes to travel is competitive backpacking. This also applies to other types of travelers – not just backpackers.
One of my girlfriends pointed this phenomenon out to me several years ago. As soon as she mentioned it, I knew exactly what she meant.
I remembered a guy I’d met in London. He had traveled a lot and done some truly amazing things but he was also a huge bragger. He was highly competitive with other travelers.
No matter what you had done, he’d done something better. Every time. The mountain he climbed was bigger, the adventures he had were grander. Basically, he was annoying and people breathed a sigh of relief when he stopped bragging.
Word to the wise – don’t be that person. Do amazing things because you want to do them, not so you can brag about them or diminish the achievements of other people.
Come to think of it, this last piece of advice doesn’t just refer to travel. Though you may be an expert and have led an extraordinary life, a little bit of humility will go a long way.
Travel can be truly life-changing and open you up to a life of adventure, fun, and discovery. What are you going to discover for yourself?
If you enjoyed this travel post, please share it with your friends via social media. By sharing you might inspire someone to change their life today!
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Love this! I haven’t traveled much outside of the U.S. but when I have (and even in the U.S.) I think your points are all spot-on. Perspective is so greatly expanded by learning about people and lives different from our own!
Hi Sarah
Thank you so much for commenting. I am pleased you enjoyed the post.
I have been to the US a couple of times now and always had a wonderful time. There is such a huge diversity of natural beauty and exciting city life. I think it is fantastic to see and learn first hand how other people live. Years ago I had friends in San Francisco who also had a cabin up at Lake Tahoe. I stayed with them for a while. I spent Thanksgiving with their family and went to a two 49’ers games. Really was a fantastic experience. It was also the first time I saw snow falling, so I was incredibly excited!! I remember my friend and I walking out into the forest (near the cabin) about 1 in the morning and just standing there listening to the wind and the trees. It was magical.
I appreciate your comment Sarah. I look forward to seeing you here again soon.
Cheers
Thea
My travel adventures has taught me patience. This was evident on my first trip to Paris on the Eurostar, leaving London Waterloo station in January, a freezing winter, where snow & ice covered the track on the French side and cancelled the train journey. It was suggested over the announcement system we shouldn’t wait as several departures had been cancelled and unsure of when the track would reopen. Nothing could dampen my spirits! I pulled out my novel and enjoyed reading for a few hours and was rewarded with not only the track reopening but getting a seat on the first train out 🙂 I often think of this adventure when I’m standing in a queue of any sort. I even pulled my book out while standing waiting in a bank last year – the bank manager approached me personally and organised someone to attend to me promptly. I expressed I was happy to wait. In my experience, patience is rewarded every time!
Hi Kate
Thanks so much for your detailed comment. Really appreciate it.
Just love the story of pulling out your book in the bank by the way, classic that they came up to help you. Always wise to have a book on hand, that’s for sure.
I admire the fact that travel has taught you patience. Maybe you could get some of that to rub off on me? Patience is not one of my better virtues I hate to confess, though I am trying to work on that.
When I was travelling around for 8 months, I wasn’t too bad mainly because I didn’t really have any set times to be anywhere. I could make my own schedule, so if I was delayed it wasn’t a big deal. Shorter trips are a bit different though, I tend to be keen to get where I am meant to be going. I do always appreciate the chance to read for a few hours though, so if I have reading material on hand, I cope with delays a lot better. Even better if I have food and reading material, then I am much happier.
I think you and I should definitely travel together somewhere at some point, I promise to be patient. 🙂
Thanks again for sharing your story, I hope to see you here again soon.
Cheers
Thea
Agree with you on all the points mentioned in the above post and also on the post “Why you should travel alone”.. your website goes to my bookmark library.. 🙂