Why do you travel so often? What do you gain out of travelling? Is life all about travel for you millennials? Stop using travel as an excuse to escape your responsibilities! Travelling is such a waste of time!
My mornings often begin with these rants from people of the past generations. Though I always had the answers, I never bothered to speak them out. It was either because the time was not right or simply because I’m almost always running late. Now that 2019 is coming to a fantastic close, I’ve decided to respond in a suitable way.
All lessons in life aren’t meant to be learned inside a classroom. For some, we have to step out of our comfort zone into the open world. Presenting a list of 19 valuable life lessons from 2019 that travelling has taught me.
1. Better safe than sorry
It’s good to have a shopping list for a destination. Yet leaving behind an important thing for the sake of packing light can turn into a disaster. I learnt it the hard way. I assumed that the hotel toiletries would include toothpaste and that I need not carry it. The hotel I was staying at had a foul-flavoured toothpaste for the guests and I was left with a weird taste in my mouth throughout my stay!
2. Talk to people
Headphones and mobile are the worst enemies of a traveller. Navigation maps will never outmatch a local’s insights. Talking to people opens a new world within the same old place. Ask for hidden trails or the most popular dhabas for an outing to remember!
3. Keep an open mind
Facts or rituals followed in a new place can be hard to digest. Keeping an open mind makes us more accepting. Accept things or people the way they are. We are not out to change the world but to cherish it. Like, don’t judge the people of Denmark for eating whale meat. It’s a part of their culture and you can skip it if you want to!
4. Everyone is wrong about other countries
Stereotyping is natural to us humans and every country does it. The fun fact is almost everyone has a delusional image of other countries and everyone is wrong. It was surprising how many people abroad believe that all Indian arranged marriages are forced without the girl's consent!
5. Share the knowledge
The only way to educate people is by sharing knowledge, whether it’s about breaking the stereotypes or giving local insights. Sharing is caring. That’s how others would reciprocate and help you in return. One for all, all for one!
6. Every experience counts
What doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger. Bad experiences have taught me not to lose heart. Everything happens for a reason, even if it means getting robbed at knifepoint in the middle of nowhere. That way I realised it was foolish to go out alone in the dark without any safety measures!
7. Everything will not go as planned
Plans are meant to fail. Yet it is no reason to crib. I was eagerly looking forward to a day tour to Phi Phi islands but it was cancelled at the last moment due to bad weather. This taught me how to improvise. Go impromptu! Take a food walk or do what the locals do. Getting in their skin helped me live life on the go!
8. Value little things
God lies in the small details. In a journey, it is the short moments that set the mood right and not just a few big steps that become milestones. Live in the moment. Enjoy that beautiful view for five more minutes. Don’t be in a hurry. Cherish the company of people and nature around you. This moment is never coming back!
9. Love thyself
The most important relationship in life is with oneself. Never compromise on self-love. If I am on a vegan diet, I don’t have to compromise on it because of lack of options. When I run out of options, I’d rather make one. If something doesn’t feel right, I would rather take a stand than go with the flow. That’s the only way to respect myself!
10. Yet don’t be selfish
Don’t compromise, yet be open to adjustments. Understand the point of view of others. Find a way to make yourself happy without hurting anyone’s sentiments. I prefer taking the window seat, but if there’s a first-timer in the group, I’d rather let them enjoy the view. Looking out for others always goes a long way!
11. There’s always something new
Nothing is ever the same. Even if I travel to the same place with the same people, something new is bound to happen. There’s always something to learn. So, I try to keep my eyes, ears and mind open. That's how I was able to spot a leopard sitting by the road while driving through Dharamshala for probably the 15th time!
12. Be creative
Creating is the art of the Gods. And that power resides in the hands of every human being. The only way to grow is by being creative. Create your own itinerary, try a new recipe or do something new on every trip. I make sure to try at least one new activity on every journey. If it’s adventurous, it relieves stress, though my mom would say otherwise!
13. Complain less, thank more
Yes, things can get messy at times. But complaining about mosquitoes while camping is a waste of the entire experience. How many people on earth get the chance to sleep in the heart of mountains next to a non-polluted river and watch a glacier the next morning? Stop complaining. Look at the bright side. Be thankful and spread positivity!
14. Trust your instincts
If you feel something isn’t right, it probably isn’t. My gut usually delivers a trustworthy sign and I choose to go with it every time (except after I’ve just feasted on a plate of Chole Bhature). I remember deciding not to go for a drive on a stormy night with my friends. Eventually, the plan got cancelled, spoiling everyone else’s mood. The next morning, the entire city was in shock with the destruction that the storm had caused!
15. You’re stronger than you think you are
Self-realisation is beautiful. Travelling has taught me so much about my capabilities, all because I’ve been managing things on my own. I’ve fought away most of my fears. I can survive in worse conditions than I thought I could. I don’t rely on anyone for taking care of the daily chores. I’ve come out stronger than ever and am still getting better at it!
16. You will miss out on some things
Let’s face it. We want everything. We always want the best food, the best room in a hotel and the best possible experiences in life. But life doesn’t work that way. There will always be something that we will miss out on. It could be due to lack of time, lack of energy or due to unforeseen conditions. Letting go is an art that very few can master. Acceptance definitely makes it easier to improve at it!
17. Everybody is trying to figure it out
If you think you’re lost in space, you’re not alone. The most interesting people I’ve met while travelling are still figuring out what to do with their lives. People at 40 are still searching for true love. Married couples with children are still travelling the world to find the best place to settle down. A 24-year-old boy who biked from India to Australia is still not sure if it was the right thing to do. We’re all in it together, so don’t stress over it!
18. Patience is the virtue
Things will fall in place at the right time. All we need is a little patience. Sometimes things get tense but I can't speed up time. There's always one more thing to consider that my mind won’t catch up on. That’s when I tell myself to take it slow and things will be fine. All it takes is patience!
19. Looking back, you’ve grown so much
Every step looks small. Every push feels to be not strong enough. Every day feels ordinary. But only until I look back and compare it with where I started. All the events, all the teachings, all the people that I’ve met have changed me in a good way. I started as a student. I’m still a student but with more knowledge to share. Travelling has helped me grow into a better human being. That’s exactly what it does and that’s why people travel!
Travelling is education in disguise. There’s so much to see and so many ways to explore. While there’s always an option to learn from others’ experiences, I prefer to create my own. The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Start today. Travel more. For life is all about moving forward and move forward you must.
Need travel inspiration for the new year? Click here to go around the world in 2020!