By Conal Morrison

Travel is a wonderful thing.  I personally believe everybody should go outside of their own country at least once in their lifetime. I know it can be expensive, and given the current state of the world, it can even be a little scary.

But the positives of travelling far outweigh the negatives. Travel can help build and shape you into who you will be tomorrow and potentially even the what’s, when’s, where’s, how’s, and who’s of your life. Here’s how.

It Broadens Your World View

This may be somewhat of an obvious point, but travelling opens your eyes to how big the world really is. Suddenly the world that was just a globe on your desk or a picture on your phone is here, it’s real, and it’s right in front of your eyes. 

That city you lived in is dwarfed by the sheer size of the Himalayas. The beauty of your hometown’s night lights is outshone by the pure night sky you saw when you went camping. With each destination and journey, the world grows and grows, and you can see and understand more of it with every step you take. There is a whole big world out there to explore, after all. 

The Things You Experience May Just Change Your Life

I have this curiosity, this desire to explore and find out what’s over the next ridge, where that river runs, or what the view from the top of that mountain holds. I’m sure many of you have it too. Where you want to listen to that desire and let yourself really explore somewhere. You can see and experience things you would never believe. 

In high school, we had a three-day camping trip. Before we left, I was absolutely terrified; I’d never gone off into the wild like that before and especially not with a bunch of other teenagers who I hardly even liked. But in the end, I packed my bag, strapped on my boots, and I walked into the bush, and boy am I glad I did. I learned how to live out of a backpack, even if it was only for a few days. 

I discovered that climbing a mountain is hard—who would have guessed that one, eh?! But most importantly, I learned to value the journey to the top of that mountain and enjoy the view when I go there. That one trip helped change my whole perspective on life.

You See How Beautiful The World Really Is

It goes without saying that as you travel, you see more of the world. Each destination you visit, every person you meet and each memory you make becomes a part of you and a part of your journey. It becomes an integral part of your story. 

Sure, you can look at something on a screen and think it’s beautiful. But nothing can compare to seeing it with your own eyes. As you visit and experience those things in real life, they become a part of you, helping shape you and your views. So although you may have travelled thousands of miles to see that waterfall or to walk the steps of the Parthenon, it is time (and money) well spent. Those experiences will walk with you for the rest of your life.

It’s Amazing For Your Mental Health

It’s very easy to get caught up in the daily rat race many of us live in. The daily grind can make you start to close up and become tense or stressed out, or even depressed. Travel is a fantastic way to step away from all of that. It allows you to clear your head and get lost, hopefully, more figuratively than literally, and to enjoy moments. To truly be there in the moment. 

You can leave all your troubles behind and find out exactly what is over that next ridge. Doing so can completely turn your mood around and bring you a sense of fulfilment. The human body and mind are not designed to merely churn out work 24/7, and it’s essential to give yourself a break from time to time.

The last thing you should do is skip out on taking vacations for a pay cheque while pushing yourself too hard. Always be aware of how you’re feeling, physically, emotionally and mentally. It’s okay to take a break, and if that comes in the form of an exciting adventure, then hey, why not?

I encourage you to travel. It doesn’t have to be very far, maybe just the next town along your local highway or a weekend away at the resort town nearby. Get out there and experience the world, whichever way you choose and let it help you grow. After all, you only get one shot. Do you want to spend all of it in one place?

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