Personal Growth Through Exploration & Travel
“Traveling is about finding those things you never knew you were looking for.”
-Unknown
Travel and exploration reshapes our perspective on life and people. It broadens our understanding of the world around us, and deepens our connection with others. When we immerse ourselves in different environments and cultures, we facilitate personal growth. Travel and exploration is a transformative experience that allows us a temporary disconnect from our daily lives so that we can learn about ourselves, assess our values and beliefs, and remember who we are outside of our work, careers, and daily responsibilities.
If you don’t have the opportunity to travel far from your own community, remember that you can still explore new places, get to know new people, and learn about cultures and customs different from your own. It might take a bit more creativity and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, but you can reap the benefits of exploration even within your immediate surroundings.
Today, we’ll discuss how travel and exploration can parallel an inward journey of personal growth.
Broadening Your Worldview
Learning about and immersing yourself in new cultures, languages, and ways of life serves to challenge biases and stereotypes. One of the greatest impressions that travel and exploration has on people is the way that it expands their view of people from diverse cultures and with different customs and lifestyles. Exposure to new environments serves to challenge any biases or stereotypes we may have, sometimes unconsciously. We gain opportunities to reconsider our understanding of people and the world around us, becoming more empathic towards others
Greater Cultural Sensitivity
Through exploration and travel, we can learn to respect those that are different which, in turn, helps us to have greater acceptance of ourselves. We learn to respect customs that are different from those we know and we have opportunities to engage with different people and communities. Our empathy and acceptance of others is strengthened, which opens the door to greater self-compassion.
“Which is more important,” asked Big Panda, “the journey or the destination?”
“The company.” Said Tiny Dragon.
-James Norbury
Strengthened Connections
Travel and exploration also provides an opportunity to connect with others, whether it’s with those who are taking the journey with you or the new people you’ll meet along the way. Oftentimes, the rush of daily life can make it difficult to pause and enjoy quality time with our loved ones. Or, our busy schedules can interfere with our ability to meet new people. Travel and exploration provides an excellent foundation for strengthening connections with others. We can all use more of this in our increasingly isolated world.
“You get a strange feeling when you leave a place, like you’ll not only miss the people you love, but you miss the person you are at this time and place because you’ll never be this way ever again.”
-Azar Nafasi
Exploration and the Inward Journey of Self-Discovery
Everyday life often requires us to adhere to a routine and structure, which can sometimes inhibit other functions like creativity, thinking outside the box, and self-discovery. Travel and exploration works to facilitate inward exploration. Imagine having to work your way through a language barrier, adapt to a new cuisine, or even figure your way out of various mishaps that can occur throughout your travel experience. When you have the opportunity to pursue challenges, problem-solve, and make decisions in new and unfamiliar situations, you’re able to see what you’re capable of. This strengthens self-esteem and resilience. When you return to your home, community, and job, you’ll have a renewed sense of confidence, and you’ll feel empowered to take on new goals and challenges.
Enhancing Creativity
New experiences promote creativity, which you can apply to your life when you return to your routine. When you’re exposed to different people and places, and when you have the opportunity to break your routine, you’ll be amazed to see how inspired and imaginative you’ll feel. Starting new projects or completing old ones often comes after travel and exploration.
Travel and exploration can have a profound impact on your life, as it can shape your identity, strengthen your skills and abilities, and inspire you in ways you may have never imagined. It awakens a deep understanding of the world around you and especially of yourself. While it may be hard to return home after an exciting period of travel and exploration, I hope that you can also look back to your journey with appreciation and look forward, to even the most routine aspects of your life, with gratitude and joy.