Why Millennials Should Go Backpacking At Least Once in Their Life
You will become happier and feel less stressed.
The most valuable advice I can give to a struggling millennial is this: ‘If you feel like quitting, don’t. Take a break instead, go on a vacation and when you come back from it and you still feel the same, then that’s only when you should quit.’ The working class millennial switch jobs faster than they can earn leave credits. Why? Because they feel ‘stressed out’ or ‘burned out’. Fix your stress levels by traveling. You don’t have to go globetrotting, you can start small by going away for the weekend with friends or have a solitary day trip. They say traveling has many health benefits, even doctors are starting to prescribe traveling as a form of therapy.
You will build self-confidence and improve your personality.
The best part of backpacking is getting lost and in the process, finding yourself. Your once, “I’m too shy to ask for directions” won’t even cross your mind once you are in the middle of nowhere or inside a city that feels like a labyrinth. I’ve known people who haven’t held a chopstick before traveling to Tokyo, but quickly learned how to wield it because there’s just no alternative way to eat that ramen. I’ve also known another person who does not even know a single Thai phrase, but suddenly mastered the art of haggling in the streets of Bangkok. They say you learn fast through necessity and I believe there is no greater motivator than food and shopping.
You will make new friends and connect with people of different cultures.
If you have lived within the four corners of your city, then your thought process will be confined in a box. Some people see other nationalities as mere stereotypes they see in movies or read about in books. But in reality, when you meet a variety of people, it will enable you to appreciate the diversity of individuals from all over the world. The best way to open your eyes to this, is through travel. When you travel, you get to see the different outlooks of the people about world events, you get to hear their invaluable life experiences, and might even listen to a first-hand account of a historical event.
You will always have something to look forward to.
When you join a tour group, the only thing you’ll need to worry about is whether the bus is leaving without you. When you backpack across a country or a continent, the excitement spans for months. From the moment you buy your ticket during a seat sale, to online messaging your AirBnb or Hostel host, to downloading apps needed for the trip, and to strategically packing your bag, your mind will be buzzing with excitement.
You will learn how to work through a tight budget.
When traveling, you can be dining at the hippest local restaurant and then spend the next meal walking while munching on something bought from 7–11. Traveling enlightens you to think about every cent you spend. Finding the balance between save and splurge is difficult especially if you’re in a place that you might not be able to return to.
You will experience different cuisines of the world.
The experience that everyone can relate to is the adventure of the palate. You cannot say that you have been to a destination unless you have eaten its street food and other delicacies. Your taste buds will become more discerning of the spices of the world. It pays to know the difference between Merlot from Cabernet Sauvignon and Tonkatsu from Katsudon.
You will become mindful of the present moment.
The Buddhist practice of mindfulness play an important role in well-being. Sometimes, we get too caught up in our stressful day to day tasks that we forget to simply breathe. Traveling makes being mindful of the moment easier. You experience a sense of wonder when you are in front of a breathtaking view, a bustling city, or an artistic masterpiece. You will rekindle your outlook in life and it will make you realize that life is truly beautiful.
