Staying at one place your entire life is very comfortable and easy, but it also robs you of a whole new world of experiences, people and things you can see. There’s nothing bad in having good daily structure, but once your cosy routines become “the daily grind”, it’s time to pack your suitcase and hit the road in search of new things to learn.Here are the most valuable life lessons only travelling can teach you!

How important it is to leave your comfort zone

Besides money, fear is the second most important factor that affects people’s decision to travel. It’s true, there’s nothing scarier than leaving our own little bubble and stepping foot beyond our comfort zone. But, once you overcome that fear, there’s also nothing more rewarding! Outside of familiar ground lie the most amazing things you can never experience if you just stay at home. Leaving the shackles of your comfort zone behind will be one of the most liberating things you’ll ever do!

How to be patient

Travelling is usually surprisingly smooth,but sometimes you’ll come across the most unbelievable and nerve-wracking situations. You’ll definitely not want to turn around and head home at the slightest inconvenience, so you’ll need to learn patience and tolerance—and learn it fast! Once you become a seasoned traveller, you’ll realise that the things that used to stress you out don’t even bother you at all. It’s very good for your well-being!

How fun it is to meet new people

No matter if you’re a solo traveller or travelling with a group of friends, you’re bound to meet new and interesting people on your adventures. You think you’re not good at making acquaintances? Don’t worry, there are countless ways you can interact with individuals you don’t know! For instance, if you’re a foodie in Vietnam, book one of the tasty Hoi Anfood tours that will introduce you to colourful locals and their culinary expertise.

Plus, don’t miss a chance to strike a conversation with fellow tour guests who obviously share your interests.Usually, it’s really hard to come across a fellow adventurer or local who will not be eager to hear your experiences and share theirs. As a matter of fact, if you ask any seasoned traveller, they will all say that new connections are one of the best parts of roaming the world!

How interesting it is to experience new cultures

We all learn about other cultures in school, but can you really get familiar with someone’s tradition, language,religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts without ever leaving your classroom? Once you travel and actually experience other cultures, you’ll start to see them in a whole new light. It will not only allow you to respect foreign cultures, but also find a new appreciation for your own. Plus, it’s just super fun to see how things are done on the other side of the world!

How to adapt to new circumstances

You probably know how things work in your hometown, but not every place in the world abides by your rules. There will be obstacles you’ll not know how to handle right away, so you’ll have to adapt and overcome, whether it’s the language barrier, cultural differences or the airport losing your luggage.

How to value the right things in life

Now you might think that being able to afford an expensive new car or a three-storey mansion means you’ve made it in life, while you actually need very little to be happy and fulfilled! The real joy of life comes from the experiences you collect along the way and people that become a part of your story, not the possessions you accumulate.

How to appreciate what you already have

No matter if you travel to a third world country or to the developed world, you’re bound to see people in all sorts of life circumstances that will not only teach you how to appreciate your financial situation, but also your freedom. We can never truly know how blessed we are until we’re faced with extreme poverty or basic human rights violations.

After you come home, the problem of your supermarket not having your favourite cereals or your coffee shop not serving soy latte will not even bother you the slightest! 

How to be spontaneous

Nothing will ever make you embrace spontaneity like travelling! No matter how good you are at making schedules and task lists, something will always manage to mess with you and your plans. So, travelling is the perfect opportunity to go with the flow and unearth your impulsive side!Instead of making rigid timetables and must-see checklists, just drift. You’ll still see and experience amazing things, minus all the stress!

Once you find yourself on the road, you’ll realise that you’re much stronger and smarter than you and people around you previously thought. That is possibly the most important thing you’ll ever learn through a positive experience like travelling! So, pack your bags and get ready for some valuable life lessons!

Author(s)

  • Zara Lewis is a regular contributor at TheWellnessInsider.sg, a traveller and a mother of two. Originally from Chicago, she found her place in the sun in Perth, Australia. Passionate about spreading the word about fantastic places to visit and creating a better world for the generations to come.