When you travel, you earn lifetime experiences. Never did I imagine that traveling can be the reason to feel privileged in life. Here are the 11 life lessons that I learned from traveling the world.
I have been traveling for more than seven years now and have been fortunate enough to visit places that not everyone has visited. I meet new friends along the way and learn new experiences and life lessons.
In this post, I will share with you the 11 Life Lessons that I Learned after being a traveler. I am happy to announce that I still have names of destinations that I am planning to visit. As my learning will grow with my travel plans, I will keep updating this list.
1. Keep some travel events to yourself
With the advances in smartphone technology, are we distancing ourselves from enjoying our trips? When we share everything, we experience during our travel on social media, what memories are left for us?
As a travel blogger, it is my responsibility to post my trips, experiences, and the places I travel to. Especially when I am on a sponsored trip, I never miss out to update a single event. But, despite the profession, I always prefer to keep some travel memories to myself.
Travel memories are the personal collection of your favorite moments. Consider yourself lucky that you have got an opportunity to enjoy the sunrise and sunset, a walk at the beach, culture to learn, accommodation to rest, etc. Learn to enjoy your travel the way you want, not the way you want to demonstrate on your blog.
2. Stay prepared for hiccups in your travel plans but still expect for the best
Being a traveler, the second most important lesson that I learned is the lesson on expectations. There have been multiple incidences while traveling where I had flight delays, luggage exchanged, train canceled, and bad weather during my travels. But it did not stop me from having better travel memories.
Take for example my previous trip to Mauritius.
Throughout my time on the island, I encountered situations like unpredicted rain showers, floods, and a canceled flight. It was a disappointing situation but instead of feeling sorrowfulness about it I just made the most out of my trip.
I was already there so I was able to enjoy the lively atmosphere, local people’s warm hospitality, local culture, and smell of the land.
3. You won’t always get what you want in life
Being a traveler, the third most important lesson that I learned is to live life spontaneously. I find myself very clear and straight on the path when I plan my trips. But I realized that no matter how resourcefully I plan my travels, unexpected things happen on the road. However, I still don’t prefer to show up at a new destination with no plans. I choose to be a spontaneous person.
This is the factual learning of a traveler. You never get exactly what you plan for. While traveling, things may change or even some situations may lead you to change your plans. Learn to welcome new adventure while traveling and stay happy if it leads to an exciting adventure.
4. Don’t expect more than what you paid for
You will end up disappointed if you expect to get more than what you paid for during your trip.
When I am traveling, I prefer watching people and activities around me. Sometimes while waiting at the hotel reception, I notice some travelers making an absurd request. I hear them demanding more facilities with budget-friendly hotels.
I believe that if you want a nice accommodation with better services and great food then you must increase your budget. With a good budget, you can book such hotels fitting to your requirement.
Learn to be grateful and enjoy any complimentary meals provided to you during your stay. In case you don’t get any upgrade or complementary services, read the title of this travel learning lesson.
5. Lost, get back on the right track
I love traveling to new destinations across the globe, but my sense of direction is like a toddler. Although getting lost provides an opportunity to try something new. It is always possible to go off the track while going to new destinations. But deciding to stay lost or figure out the right path is your decision.
I prefer road maps, Google navigation, local guides to find my right way to the destination. Perhaps I can’t help you if you find yourself lost during travel, but here are my some quick tips on what to do when you don’t know where you are and which way to go.
I always carry Maps, GPS Devices, etc. when I am on a trip. For me, it is a wise step to take a screenshot of my route for a safer side. I never for the old method of asking for directions from local natives. As I have experienced, asking people for directions is one of the easiest, safest, and convenient way to reach your destination. Feel free to use these quick tips according to your need and situation.
6. Grow out of the comfort zone
The only difference between successful travelers and rest is they spend most of their time fulfilling their need to travel new places out of their comfort zone. Traveling has taught me that when you get out of your comfort zone then you get an opportunity to live your dream.
Getting out of my comfort zone by leaving the desk job and buying the plane ticket to explore Varanasi Ghats was my first solo travel. This was the best decision that I have ever made in my life.
I have learned that there are several benefits for a traveler when he sacrifices his comfort zone and hits the road with a travel backpack. When you step out from comfort zone to travel, you get an opportunity to grow, learn, and challenge yourself to explore new skills in you.
7. Know and accept the value of relations and things in your life
This learning is obvious, but it does have its importance. When I travel around the world, I feel very lucky to be able to follow my dreams. Seeing people in all sorts of circumstances during my travel, makes me appreciate my freedom to travel. Traveling gives me an understanding to value what I have in my life.
When I met a refugee during a trip, they were so disappointed with their inability to go back home. I realized how lucky I am – having the ability to travel anywhere in the world and return home; having a supportive family and skills to fund my travels. Traveling will make you realize the worth of what you have and the importance of relations in your life.
Pic credits: Vishnudeep Dixit
8. Look on the bright side when things go wrong
One of the major benefits that traveling contributes is by relieving tension and stress that can be dangerous to your health. Traveling is an opportunity to experience the inexperienced. You can plan a trip, but you can’t control the events taking place during your journey. There is something that you can control and something that you can’t control. The flight may delay, luggage may misplace, and any unlike event may take place. It has taken a long time, but I have learned to shift my focus on the bright side of events. For example, where a flight is delayed, you can get a chance to do window shopping or explore the city more.
9. Never be afraid to ask for help
Don’t travel to an unknown place with hesitation in the heart. There’s no shame in asking for help on foreign land or at new places. I have found that those traveling and exploring new tourist places are generally willing to help fellow travelers. I have enjoyed helping foreign travelers on my land when possible.
10. Comparison is the thief of joy
This famous quote by Mr. Theodore Roosevelt is one of the eleven life lessons learned by me after being a traveler. In the first few years of my traveling, I found myself struggling in comparing myself with other bloggers. Very soon, I realized my mistake. Travel has helped me learn the art of focusing on what is important. I started focusing on my life, my travel plans, and blogging.
This is something that I always keep in mind with the continuously growing popularity of my blog. I stopped doing the comparison. The same lesson also applies to other aspects of life.
11. Stop waiting, keep moving
I have kept it at eleventh learning but everything in life started with this mantra – Stop waiting & Keep moving. The moment I decided to travel, didn’t know that I was entering the beautiful world of endless learning.
After completing a few trips successfully, I learned that things don’t just fall in our hands. You need to have the willingness to get it and work for it. If you want to experience the world, nobody will provide you the money or paid leave from work. You must do it on your own for yourself.
Don’t put off your dreams for things like social responsibility and a corporate job. If you are telling yourself that you can do it later, stop telling this. If traveling makes you happy, plan, and start traveling. Do it now, till you have chances. What if you don’t get the chance to travel later in life!
Everyone learns something from their traveling. what’s the one life lesson that you have learned after being a traveler? Feel free to share in comments.
