This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
There is much knowledge to found in exploration
Anxiety and paralysis kind of took over, and the thought of packing, going to the airport, waiting in lines, dealing with long flights, making my way through customs, and going through all the travel drudgery didn’t seem all that fun anymore like it used to be when I was 17.
However, I recently decided to push through. I booked an international trip. There was no excitement about the trip until a few days before I left. But then it finally hit me. I was ready to travel again. And once I got to my destination, I felt my travel-nomadic bug rebirth itself within me.
I learned quite a bit abroad; hopefully, some of the lessons resonate with you. Cheers.
The 15 Lessons:
Change Your Environment: Getting away from your usual surroundings is necessary to gain perspective on your life. Many epiphanies and thoughts have come to my mind that I never once visited while I was home.
You Can Bond With People Anywhere: There are exciting and fun people to meet around the world. It never stops. Just when you think certain people won’t accept you, you’ll be surprised at how not only do they accept you, but you develop a bond. There were many intimate moments I got to experience with strangers while abroad.
Technology Deserves A Break: I wrote throughout the trip, but my phone stayed off considerably more, and I don’t regret it. I left messages unread without a response because they could wait. I don’t always need to be so accessible.
Bring A Journal: I started physically writing again. I’ve been meaning to for a while. I got so used to writing digitally that I lost the lettering art. It feels great to be back. I’ve written down so many great thoughts while I’ve been abroad.
Plan Your Next Trip: Once you plan a long trip, it can almost seem like you should take a break from traveling, but I decided it’s time to start traveling again. I’ll figure it out with work and the dogs, but I don’t want to put my life on hold anymore.
People At Home: Your relationship, family, colleagues, and life back home will survive without you. I didn’t stress about anything this time. I realized that it would all work out fine, and I could trust the capable hands of the people back home.
There Is Always Money To Travel: Even if you’re broke, you can find money to travel (but you probably shouldn’t if you’re broke). You don’t have to stay at 10-star hotels every night; you can experience luxury in style without overspending. Don’t allow a lack of financial resources to be a barrier to your travels; use your financial situation as motivation to level up.
Be Careful Of Who You Travel With: I wouldn’t travel with anybody. It takes a special type of soul to spend such considerable time with. Think thrice about the people you invite on your travels. Not everyone is good company for long trips.
Stay Present: There were a few moments on the trip when I got stressed because my mind left the trip to go back home to everything else. I had to remind myself that all was well. Everything will work out as it should. We can handle whatever comes next, but let’s enjoy the ride and stay present.
Don’t Wait Too Long To Travel: There are so many places I’ve always wanted to visit. I finally asked myself, why am I waiting? There is no point. It’s time to go, explore, and live without hesitation.
Solo Exploration: I feel ready to travel abroad alone after this trip. I’ve gotten a bit of a taste in some of my previous adventures, but now I’m fully ready. You can learn an abundance about yourself when you’re with yourself-cheers to enjoying your own company, one of the best forms of self-love.
Let Go: I lost something precious on the trip, but then I realized I had it in my heart, and that was enough. There was no need to be upset. I could let go.
Go to multiple countries: If you can, try to get to multiple countries close together and hit up different cultures, vibes, foods, people, and experiences all in one trip; it creates such an enriching journey to remember.
Normalize Inconvenience: There were times when things didn’t go quite as planned. My first response was naturally irritation; I took a step back into awareness. I asked myself, what is it about this inconvenience that irritates me? Is it that serious? No. Okay, let’s keep it moving, then.
Maintaining Your Health Is Doable: I worked out almost every day on my trip abroad. I included veggies with all of the meals. I ensured I stayed hydrated. I took the stairs whenever I could, and I walked for miles. It’s not hard to maintain your health while traveling; it’s simply a choice.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.