I'm going to share some of the realizations I've had during my journey as a travel content creator these last 4 years. These insights have really hit home for me, and since I often travel alone, I've had plenty of time to process my feelings and experiences.
Traveling is a privilege that not everyone has
- Americans and people from other countries that are considered "more developed" have the luxury to travel frequently because of favorable currency exchange rates, cheap flights, and lenient visa laws. But not everyone has that same privilege. Imagine traveling to a country where everything costs 5 times more than at home. I remember buying dinner at a grocery store in Sweden that cost me the equivalent of $30. I didn't get anything special either. I'm talking about a frozen pizza and some chicken fingers. Let me tell you: That put a damper on my travel plans real quick.
Pack light
- The less you have, the easier your trip will be. Being able to get up and go is so liberating because you reach destinations faster, navigate stairs effortlessly, and avoid waiting for checked luggage. Bottom line: The more stuff you have, the more you have to manage and the more you have to lose. I don't want to get biblical, but I understand this scripture from Matthew 6:20 a little more: "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal."
People are generally good
- I truly believe that most people are good at heart. Many times during my travels, I've been in situations where someone could have easily taken advantage of me. Instead, people looked out for me, kept me safe, and wanted nothing in return. These acts of kindness stay with me. For example, I'll never forget when a local family welcomed me into their home after I accidentally wandered into a cartel-controlled neighborhood.
Nothing goes as planned
- Nothing goes perfectly as planned no matter how much you prepare. Just laugh when bad things happen and be ready to pivot. A lot of times, the bad event doesn't cause the stress—it's more your reaction to the bad event that creates the problem. Some of my most memorable travel stories came from unexpected detours and mishaps that turned into adventures.
Be careful who you travel with
- Your travel companions can make or break your trip. So choose wisely. Pick travel buddies that you could spend hours stuck with at an airport, who embrace spontaneity, and who would help get you to safety (responsibly) if you were sick. The right travel buddy enhances your experience, while the wrong one can leave you wishing you'd stayed home.
Personal relationships > Excursions
- Traveling is all about the people. Having a drink with locals or learning simple cultural differences like how they do handshakes in their country is way better than any cookie-cutter excursion. That being said, don't force these experiences—just let them happen naturally. Some of my most treasured memories are simple conversations with people I met along the way.
It's hard not to be empathetic and political
- When you meet locals and see good, smart, hardworking people with limited opportunities, it makes you wonder why things are the way they are. Then you come back home and see how much people take for granted. These contradictions can really bother you after a while. I find it strange when Americans worry about immigration but then talk about retiring in another country. Make that make sense...
You can't do everything
- There is always something more to see in every location, so don't stress yourself trying to see everything because you won't win. You probably haven't seen everything in your own city, so how can you expect to see everything in a foreign city? The key is to prioritize the experiences that are important to you and enjoy them fully rather than rushing through a checklist.
Keep traveling,
Andrew
What epiphanies have you had during your travels?