Life Lessons from Traveling the World

“All travelers have experienced having a meltdown at the airport. Whether it’s long lines, a missing bag or a delayed flight when you just want to go home, we’ve all been there. Yet, we still travel. For me, I choose to chance these frustrations because I know the reward is far greater than whatever an airline can throw at me. I never feel more connected to the world then when I am traveling. Whatever silly slight is still dwelling in the back of mind, it melts away when I’m experiencing a new place. Traveling enables me to have a deeper appreciation of the limited amount of time I have on this planet and gives me a sense of gratitude that I can be in this place, at this time. The little things that I thought matter, don’t. Traveling has a way of getting you to focus on the wonder of it all.” – Danielle G World Travelers Union

“I’ve learnt that I am tougher than I think. Every time I set myself a new country to challenge myself with, I make it through even when I think there’s no way I’m going to.”-Cristal The Tofu Traveler

“I started to travel the world at a relatively early age, with my first solo trip abroad when I was 14. Although I used to travel regularly with my parents, I was for the first time on my own, in a completely new country – Switzerland – coping with a language I used to talk at home, but never used for public interactions – French. At the beginning, I resented my parents for the challenge, but a couple of days after I was more than happy to be there and started to enjoy every single moment of my trip. I learned to use the language by asking for basic directions or for making new friends, to ride the train alone all over the country. Every day into my journey, it was not only a new landscape with a rich cultural heritage that I was little by little becoming familiar with, but it was a new me in the making: I was testing my limits, was learning to behave in different circumstances and to understand the cultural differences. It was one of my first big lessons in travel that I continue to follow until today. My biggest lessons learned from travel are to never give up taking risks and to keep following my aims, with discipline, an open mind and an open heart. The future is never certain, but at least make the present moment the best ever.” – Ilana Ilana Travels

“Even if your reason for traveling is not to learn something, you will along the way. I was really bad with maps—after traveling solo for some time, I can say I mastered them. I learned how to enjoy my own company. I learned how to navigate airports easily, how to best use my time and where to eat and shop. But maybe the best thing I learned was also the hardest one. You cannot escape. Problems you have at home, bad relationships, your own struggles and worries—they follow you like a faithful puppy. It may seem that being overwhelmed with new experiences is helping, but it’s not really. Everything you have in your head is coming with you. So, if you want to travel to escape, don’t do that. Save money and deal with it at home. Then enjoy the road with a clearer head. Speaking from experience, that way is much better.” – Tihana Wandering Polkadot

“As much as it is interesting to see big cats and other (large) wildlife on safaris, just enjoying the jungle – its fresh smell, its silence except for the bird sounds, the myriad trees and the plants growing underneath – is an experience by itself. I remember when my daughter was about 2, we had taken her to the first forest safari to a national park in Central India. She was delighted to see every deer, every langoor and made us stop the jeep so many times, we went a bit bonkers. In the end, we slowed down, stopped looking out just to spot a leopard and delighted in every squeal of hers. Just when the naturalist had given up on spotting any big cat, we saw a leopard lounging on the side of the road. It got up, gave us a dirty look, completely disgusted with us having broken into its siesta and regally walked away into the thick bushes.  Traveling with my daughter has taught me to appreciate small things in life. ” – Shweta Zest in a Tote

“The power of laughter! We’re both jokesters by nature, but being crammed into a flying sardine can or a tiny car for hours with someone on very little sleep can really test that. We actually had an argument while we were walking around the city on our most recent trip to Vancouver. It was starting to get heated, we had walked ourselves lost, and I planted myself on a sidewalk to have my say. Then, one of us happened to look away – just in time to catch sight of the fact that we were standing directly in front of the doors of a very popular adult store – right under the neon sign for their peep show. At that point, so matter how fiery you feel, you just have to laugh. And then life goes on, a little lighter.” – Luke & Meagan Two Restless Homebodies

“One of the most important things I’ve learned through traveling extensively is that you need to be flexible. Things will go wrong – flights get delayed, buses are late, thunderstorms happen, and you’re bound to get lost! But don’t let that get you down. Part of the joy of traveling is how you deal with the mishaps because they become part of your adventure story.” – Dani Wanderlust on a Budget

“I finally feel free, there are no borders, no judgement, there is me and a world out there free for me to explore. My limitations are by choice out of greed for materialistic desires. Once I break free of those chains travel becomes reality.” – Petro World Mission 196

“Travel is the ultimate confidence booster and antidepressant. This is especially true with solo travel. Every time I take a trip I learn something about myself, whether it’s a couple hour drive away from home or a journey across the globe. There is a common thread throughout the lessons I learn when I travel and that thread is strength. Strength of character, strength of will, the strength to listen to my intuition and stay true to my values. And the strength to trust strangers. With depression, all of these get lost in the fog. Without travel, I don’t know who I would be.” – Brittany Transformed Thru Travel

“Let the road be your guide. I usually don’t plan much before my trip because I love letting the road take me to new adventures. To me, traveling is not only about visiting new places, but also about discovering and and learning new things. I follow my heart and my gut, let my travel take me to meet awesome people, to discover exotic culture, to randomly visit a place that I never think about. I love getting lost, and eventually found myself through adventures. .” – Ha Expatolife