I came to Asia with an open mind, body and soul, to be thrown into the melting pot of life. As expected, I had no idea what would be in store. I studied in Taiwan, climbed mountains in Borneo, motorbiked Vietnam, and beached in Malaysia. As never before, I took to heart a quote that I once heard…

“Life is a journey, not a destination.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

As my experiences built upon me, travel shifted several pieces of my outlook on this one thing we call life.

Self-reflection

There are times when life moves so fast-paced that you hardly realize important things are happening. Moments will fly past you without the smallest thought about it. When I travel, there is always some kind of waiting time: long train journeys, buses, and plane flights. I have a love and hate relationship with idle time. I will read, listen to music, write, or observe the world going on around me. Then unexpectedly, the time gets you to think over past experiences over the years. A vast emotional range spills out into my head like five seasons of a (pick your favorite) TV sitcom played in 30 seconds. I continue to power through the thoughts that have been my life. I recognize that all these things, good or bad, have amounted to the person I am today, my individuality.

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Aristotle

Travel challenges me to look at my life objectively. Taking note of the past, self-reflection gives me confidence and courage for the next step I take in life, whatever it may be. This has to do with…

Temet Nosce
(in Latin: know thyself)

Nothing compares to traveling testing your limits and pushing personal understanding. Travels bring out your best and your worst. Awareness of your own traits also helps focus your future decisions. Getting to know yourself happens over time, which is why travel is great! Plenty of time to reflect understanding action in a continuing cycle. All this is basically about…

Personal growth

Undoubtedly, you will do so many fun and amazing things in an entirely new places! There is even more potential just below the surface if you so much as reach out and grasp it. Travel will help you grow. Physically, mentally, socially, and countless other ways. It allows you to see your individuality. Travels gives you the opportunity to act differently than you do at home, to try new things.

In my pre-travel life, I was way less likely to make conversation with strangers. After traveling, I now feel more comfortable being social. Especially when traveling alone, you’re given the opportunity to try out different ways to interact, to further understand what you’re comfortable with.

To be honest, sometimes you don’t even have to think about personal growth, the magic is that it will just happen, and later there will be an “a-ha!” moment when you realize you’ve changed. However, if you chose to do something, question the status quo. Why do I do this? How am I being influenced? What about my past makes me have this perspective? So as you see new things, you will begin to form a fuller view on how your life is impacted.

Self-reliance

The funny thing about personal growth is that we can't rely on anyone else to do the work. If we want to see change in our lives, we are the only ones with the ability to make it. My solo backpacking trip to Singapore & Malaysia started me on a path to recognize and depend on only myself . There are different types of self-reliance: social, mental, physical, spiritual, and financial. Looking out for my safety, making timely transportation, and meeting people were all my responsibilities. There was also no one else to blame but myself if I met failure. Traveling sharpens your wits and resolve to do what is necessary to succeed.

The Unknown

Since the dawn of time, humans have been troubled by the future. Likewise, in travel, there will be curveballs. But really, it’s okay. I learned to trust the process, things will eventually work out. “We don't know where we're going, but that’s okay.” Sometimes the greatest feeling you can have as a traveler is that you don't know what’s going to happen next. It’s kinda exciting right!? Please don't poop your pants.

“Uncertainty is the spice of life.” — Me?

There is a peace of mind when you have nowhere to be except for where you are now. We do what we can, but in the end, all we can do is let go of the things we cannot change or do not know. I take this home with me, no matter where I am, The Unknown is still happening daily. It’s exhilarating, since new experiences are always just past the horizon.

Meeting new people

During my travels, I encountered numerous people, from various walks and stages of life, and ultimately learned from them and their experiences. Keeping an open mind was critical in building these relationships. People are more comfortable when you are genuinely interested in them.

“Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” — Bill Nye

When you've learned all there is to know about a person, there’s still a lot to talk about. The world is increasingly connected and more likely than not you meet people who've been where you've been, know someone who has, or even speak the language that you do. This logically leads to my next point…

Changing world view

Travel flips your worldview upside down. It’s one thing to say you know what’s going on elsewhere and another to say you know what’s going on because you've experienced firsthand. In Borneo, I stayed in a local home along the Kinabatangan river. I ate food with my hands and bathed in the river water as they did. This experience taught me more about respect for cultures and the importance of having an open mind. Everywhere that’s not home will have cultural differences, traditions, and things that you are not used to. The more you learn about the world, your perspective and cultural awareness grows. Indeed, travel can inspire you to give back and improve the world we live in.

Time

Travel throws a wrench into our sense of time. Our predisposition of time running out has been fabricated over the past century. Increasing demand and pressure on where we spend our time is multiplied by the fast paced lives of the present. Travel makes time slow. It makes it fast. It shows us that we are truly in control of how we spend time. Perhaps most important, travel shows us that there is still time left. Still time to live out our hopes and dreams, to do the things we have always yearned to do. Travel is as simple as buying a plane ticket to a faraway land. Or walking down the street to a park you've never been.

Life’s Imaginary Barriers

Travel unravels these circumstances in life and puts them to shame.

1. Don't let your personal situation stop you.

You can still travel. Whatever you have going on in your life, if you have an open mind, travel can help you conquer. A willingness to learn about myself and others took me further. It can work for you too.

2. Don't let lack of money stop you.

You can still travel. There are several resources out on the web which can help you with budget travel. Scholarships are available for students, Asian countries hire English speakers to teach English, and all around the world you can eat and work on a farm for free.

3. Don't let age, young or old, be an excuse to stop you from chasing your wanderlust.

You can still travel. Age is just a number that gives society a reason to pressure you with its opinion. You're still alive aren't you?? The world is vast and it never seems to run out of things to see. The more you go, the more you grow. Which brings me to my last thought…

Ch∆nge

The inevitable thing travel taught me about life: CHANGE IS EXPECTED. The person I was when I started a trip is not the person I am today. The sum of your experiences will build individuality. Recall that Emerson quote I mentioned after the first paragraph? Remind yourself that you run your life. It’s not the other way around. Take charge of your journey and be ready for the change that WILL happen. Change isn't easy, but it’s hurts less when you face it head on. And “BAM!” what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Uncharted Horizons

Ultimately, travel opened doors I never knew existed. I gained be new experiences, new friends, and new perspectives. I urge you to own up to your bucket list and satisfy the innate feeling of wanderlust that has existed within humankind ever since our existence. So do more, see more, experience more. Travel has changed my life and if you give it a chance, it will change yours too. Bring friends and take pictures, because only fate knows what adventures lie ahead.