Lessons Learned from a Life of Adventure
Traveling has been a core part of my existence since I turned 18, profoundly shaping my character and transforming my lifestyle.
My journey began with a somewhat disorganized solo adventure to Paris at the age of 18, which sparked a lifelong passion for travel. Navigating a bustling city alone was both daunting and exhilarating, pushing me beyond my comfort zone in the most exciting ways. Since that first trip, I have centered my life around exploring the world. I have traveled solo with a backpack across different continents, worked in various countries, pursued education overseas, and participated in volunteer programs around the globe.
For example, during a solo backpacking trip in Southeast Asia, I learned the importance of adaptability and cultural sensitivity, which have since become valuable skills in my personal and professional life. Each journey has taught me something new, continually shaping who I am today.
Travel Life Lessons
My travels have given me countless unique experiences, each teaching me valuable lessons. I’ve lived in a hammock in the rugged Australian outback, worked as an activity instructor in the U.S., managed volunteer youth programs in Europe, and studied in Denmark.
Over the years, I’ve embarked on many adventures, such as hiking through the remote national parks of Cape Verde and taking a train journey across Russia in the harsh winter.
I’ve also gone scuba diving around the beautiful islands of Thailand, road-tripped across the vast landscapes of Canada, navigated the countryside of Bosnia, and enjoyed cocktails at a rooftop bar in Palestine. Each of these experiences has enriched my life, showing me the beauty and diversity of the world.
Lessons Learned from Traveling
Over my extensive travels, I’ve picked up several valuable life lessons.
It’s true that travel often involves a bit of introspection and self-discovery. Sometimes, finding yourself while lounging at a beach bar in Goa can seem like a cliché. But beyond those deep and often self-indulgent moments, there are real and impactful lessons to be learned from life on the road.
Here are some meaningful and transformative insights I’ve gained from my journeys:
Kindness Is a Universal Language
One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned through my travels is that the world is much kinder and more welcoming than you might initially think.
I’ve encountered numerous acts of kindness from strangers along my journey. Whether it’s been people sharing their food in hostels, offering a ride when I was stranded, or providing shelter during a storm, these gestures have been countless.
These experiences have consistently reminded me of the warmth and generosity that exists in the world. I’ve come to believe that the way you perceive the world greatly influences your experiences. If you approach it with an open heart and a positive outlook, you’ll find that kindness and opportunities will be reflected to you.
Travel as the Best Education
Travel offers a unique form of education, presenting lessons in many unexpected ways. Sometimes it’s about immersing yourself in a new culture, and other times it’s learning from experiences, like discovering that floating on a bamboo raft on the Mekong River while tipsy might not be the best idea.
Travel broadens your perspective in countless ways. It introduces you to diverse cultures, beliefs, and cuisines, and it hones your ability to think quickly and adapt to new situations.
Although the phrase “the world is a classroom” might sound like something you’d see on a motivational poster, there’s genuine truth to it. Traveling helps place historical, artistic, and cultural knowledge into real-life context. For instance, while reading about the Siege of Sarajevo provides important information, experiencing the city and seeing the bullet holes firsthand offers a much deeper understanding.
Modern tools can further enhance learning about different cultures and languages through travel. For example, hiring an online language tutor, taking lessons from a face-to-face language instructor, or practicing with language apps can complement your travel experiences. These resources help bridge language gaps and deepen your connection with the places you visit, making your journey even more enriching.
No One Wants to Hear You Play
It’s a well-known fact that in almost every hostel’s “chill-out area,” there’s always a traveler, often in colorful elephant pants, who feels compelled to showcase their ukulele skills.
While it can be tempting to use an instrument as a way to express yourself while “finding” who you are on your travels, it’s crucial to resist this urge.
Sure, strumming some Jack Johnson tunes in a rainbow headband might seem like an easy way to make friends, but it often comes off as trying too hard to stand out. Most people see it as a way to seek attention rather than genuinely connect.
Instead of reaching for a ukulele or bongo, try engaging in real conversations with fellow travelers. It might feel awkward at first, but a bit of inexpensive wine can help loosen things up and make it easier to connect with others.
You Can Create Lifelong Friendships
The people you meet while traveling become an integral part of your journey. From amazing sights and grueling bus rides to wild nights at beach bars, these shared experiences forge strong and unique bonds with your travel companions.
I’ve been lucky enough to cross paths with some truly remarkable individuals. They’re the kind of people who build blanket forts in hostel dorms or create impromptu “golf ball Olympics” in a dusty Australian bar.
There’s something special about forming unbreakable friendships through shared, sometimes childish, adventures—like drunken escapades in a 28-bed dorm room in Queenstown, New Zealand. In fact, some of my Kiwi travel buddies and I ended up getting banned from the Nomad hostel there!
Many of these friends are still a significant part of my life. They’ve attended my wedding, I’ve visited them, traveled with them, and we keep in touch regularly. It’s wonderful to have friends who share my passion for travel and who are always up for hearing my latest adventures.
Travel Helps You Become a Better Problem Solver
If you’re a millennial, you might have noticed that your problem-solving skills could use a bit of sharpening. With the influence of overprotective parenting, many of us have grown accustomed to relying on our parents for help with everyday tasks, like changing a lightbulb, managing a variable rate mortgage, or making lump-free gravy.
Travel, however, forces you to develop your problem-solving skills in real-time. When you’re on the road, far from home, dealing with issues becomes a matter of necessity rather than convenience.
For example, while it might feel like a disaster when you board the wrong bus in Cambodia, these challenges are actually opportunities to build resilience and resourcefulness. Learning how to budget effectively, navigate new locations, and communicate in a different language all contribute to strengthening your life skills and problem-solving abilities.
Even if it seems tough at the moment, overcoming travel obstacles will prepare you to handle a wide range of problems in the future.
Love on the Road: Probably Best Left There
Dating while traveling can be a bit of a rollercoaster. When you’re immersed in the travel experience, everything feels more intense. Sunsets are more breathtaking, food tastes more delicious, and opportunities seem endless.
For instance, my friend Siwan once thought she had met “Jesus” on Khaosan Road in Bangkok. Turns out, he was just an unkempt man in sandals, not a divine figure.
When your emotions are heightened by the travel vibe and a few cheap drinks, it’s easy to get carried away. You might find yourself thinking that a scruffy German named Wolfgang, who’s down to his last $12, is “the one.” The combination of moonlit walks on the beach and cheap cocktails can lead to starry-eyed plans to “meet in Paris” that might not stand the test of time.
While travel romances can be thrilling, it’s often wise to keep in mind that they might not always last beyond the journey.
Learning to Manage Your Expectations
Managing your expectations is key when traveling. If you set out to have a flawless vacation filled with picture-perfect moments, you might end up feeling let down.
This is especially true if you’re traveling on a budget. Hostel stays can be noisy, bus rides can be long and uncomfortable, other travelers might not always be pleasant, and travel scams can occur.
Keep in mind that many travel blogs, Instagram posts, magazines, and videos tend to highlight only the most glamorous aspects of a destination.
To avoid disappointment, it’s crucial to book your trip with a realistic outlook. Embrace the imperfections and find joy in the small, everyday moments. By adjusting your expectations, you’ll be better equipped to appreciate the genuine experiences travel has to offer.
Experiences Over Things
After staying in a cramped hostel in Vietnam, enjoying chai on a third-class train in Sri Lanka, and camping under the stars in the Australian outback, you’ll realize that these experiences mean more to you than a pair of expensive shoes.
Traveling with just a backpack teaches you how little you actually need. You’ll find that you can get by just fine without a closet full of ripped jeans, a pricey Apple watch, or designer sneakers.
On the road, people are less interested in your possessions and more curious about who you are, where you’re from, and where you’re headed. The value of your journey lies in the experiences you collect, not in the material things you leave behind.
Recognizing Travel as a Privilege
New travelers often share quotes like, “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us” on social media. While these sentiments are heartfelt, it’s important to recognize that travel is a luxury that not everyone can afford.
No amount of beaded bracelets or inspirational quotes can change the fact that travel is often accessible mainly to those with financial resources and privilege. Publicly acknowledging this can be tricky, as it might attract responses from individuals who believe that “anyone can travel” if they just put in the effort, disregarding the significant advantages some people have.
This perspective overlooks important factors such as socioeconomic status, education, ethnicity, access to healthcare, and the privileges associated with one’s passport. Acknowledging these aspects helps put the joys of travel into context and appreciate the opportunities we have.
Lessons Learned on the Road
These are just a few of the valuable lessons I’ve gathered from years of traveling. Some of these may resonate with you, while others might not.
The key is to discover your own lessons and insights from your travels. Each journey offers unique experiences that can help you grow and learn more about yourself. Reflecting on these experiences is crucial for personal development—at least, that’s what I once read on a glittery mug!