“The world isn’t in your books and maps, it’s out there.” This dialogue from the movie The Hobbit always inspires me to travel and explore as much as possible. I have been passionately traveling for years, and I know how tremendous my life has become because of it.
This post lists reasons why you should travel and explore the world. Of course, this is not an exhausting list; it includes only the most powerful points.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
-Saint Augustine
1. Learn
This is the first thing I always tell people when they ask me why I love to travel, you learn. You get exposed to many interesting facts that broaden your knowledge and make you creative and wise.
From history, geography, sociology, to spirituality, traveling will teach you more than what you have learned in your school and college combined.
When I visited Varanasi, a spiritual city located on the banks of the Ganga in India, I was dumbstruck when I saw numerous dead bodies burning in one of the ghats. I am a Hindu; I knew cremation is our death ritual. But seeing it through my eyes was an altogether different experience.
I was not frightened by the burning dead bodies but felt more lively. I realized I had little time before ending up in the same situation.
“Climb the mountain, not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.”
-David McCullough Jr.
2. Try New Foods
If you love eating (like me), you would love traveling. When you go to different places, you find new foods you had never heard of before. You get to taste them and fall in love with their deliciousness.
And believe me, food is one of the strongest motivating factors for many travelers (including me). I want to visit new places because it allows me to taste the local foods.
When I visited Majnu ka Tila in Delhi, I learned about laphing. It is a Tibetan street dish, spicy in flavor, slippery in texture, and served with soy sauce.
And, guess what? It was extremely delightful. When I devoured it, I felt as satisfied as a meditating monk.
“You don’t have to be rich to travel well.”
-Eugene Fodor
3. Meet New People
Staying at home would allow you only to meet the same friends, neighbors, and colleagues. There is no problem with that. But after a certain point, it gets boring, and your life cries for some change.
That’s where this third reason comes in; you should travel the world because you will have the opportunity to meet different people with varied cultures and traditions. You understand how others see the same thing in different ways. This widens your perspective and makes you empathetic.
A few months ago, I visited Darjeeling. There I came across many Buddhist people. They were very supportive and always willing to help.
I got to know about their lifestyle and culture, which was quite fascinating. The best thing, I learned about the power of meditation.
The gladdest moment in human life is a departure into unknown lands.”
-Sir Richard Burton.
4. You Discover Yourself
One of the best reasons you should travel is that it challenges you in many ways.
Whether it is reaching a tourist destination through confusing roads, trekking on a challenging mountain, or asking where the toilet is in a foreign language, travel is filled with interesting challenges.
Now, you may ask how that is beneficial. Well, when you are challenged, you get to know hidden qualities and abilities of yourself. This helps you realize your true potential and feel more confident about yourself.
In addition, when you have handled many problems, you develop a faith that you can survive any obstacle in life.
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
-Andre Gide
5. Travel is the Best Escape
When you live the same life every day, you get bored (no rocket science). Same home, same routine, same city, and even the same weather. In addition, if you are like most people, your daily life will be very hectic.
You may get tired of everything and develop an extreme desire for an escape. And, what better escape can you get than traveling to a foreign land?
Traveling allows you to escape reality. It enables you to spend more time with yourself. I realized this when I visited Varanasi in February 2022. I was so bored with my life. There was rarely anything interesting happening.
Then I went to this spiritual city, and I got as excited as a child who was surprisingly gifted a bicycle.
“To travel is to live.”
-Hans Christian Andersen
6. Travel is Fun
One of the most compelling reasons you should travel is that it is fun as hell. Adventure sports like paragliding, skiing, rock climbing, rafting, surfing, etc., will enable you to feel the thrill of adventure.
In addition, they help you confront your fears and develop the habit of facing challenging situations in life.
While wearing the belt and helmet for zip-lining in Manali, holding the tripod to record everything with my phone, I was so afraid that my ears turned red. My heartbeats were getting so loud that I feared my heart would explode.
But when I was hanging by the cable and sliding through the valley, I realized it was one of the best things I did in Manali. I felt fearless and confident.
“Jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul.”
-Jamie Lyn Beatty
7. Nature
The most powerful reason why you should travel is you get to spend more time with nature. Whether it is mighty mountains, bustling rivers, infinite oceans, or towering forests, you witness the fantastic marvels of nature.
They have the power to heal your soul and help you have a fresh start. It feels as if you are having a rebirth, transforming into a stronger version.
In June 2022, I was in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh, located along the majestic Parvati river. There I found the sound of the river so relaxing that I meditated for a few minutes.
I could feel my soul getting cleaned and my body being injected with dynamic energy. I realized how powerful nature is and why we should embrace it.
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”
-Unknown
Final Words
These are the 7 reasons why you should travel the world. I hope now you are charged up for some adventure and exploration. So, choose a destination, get your bags packed, and hit on the roads. Travel because you are running out of time.
And remember, there is nothing to fear, you will learn everything with experience. That’s all. You can also subscribe to my travel YouTube channel for exciting travel related videos. Thank you for reading.
“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.”
-Babs Hoffman