Just like everyone else, I would love to travel the world. I’ve traveled but haven’t traveled everywhere. It’s definitely on my list.
Traveling gives you adventure. Of course ATV-ing in Mexico, successfully navigating the maze-like streets of Paris, bargaining for the best price in the traditional markets of Marrakech, taking a speedboat ride in Fiji: these are adventures worth having. People are hardwired for the excitement of adventure and travel may just be the best way to tap into it.
Traveling helps you learn who you are. All the challenges and opportunities travel lays at your feet help you discover who you are in a way that’s only possible on the road. Travel challenges you. Getting your daily latte at the same place and staring at your screen at your nine-to-five every day not nearly interesting enough? Even if you choose to work on the road (and keep staring at the screen), you’ll have to find a new place to drink your latte, and depending on your destination, finding coffee, and foamy milk or a good place to sip them could prove to be a sizeable challenge. Travel is full of moments of joy and challenges. Overcoming the challenges gives you some of the greatest joys of all.
Traveling gives you perspective. Meeting people from other cultures will teach you that the way you’ve been looking at the world isn’t the way everybody else does. In fact, your point-of-view might have some major blind spots. Seeing the world for yourself will improve your vision and your grip on reality.
Travel is education. Seeing the world provides an education that’s absolutely impossible to get in school. Travel teaches you economy, politics, history, geography, and sociology in an intense, hands-on way no class will.
Traveling opens your eyes. If you’re open and willing, travel will make you an incredibly more well-rounded human being. And that’s really the goal, isn’t it?
