First of all.. Hello! And welcome to my travel blog 🙂 If you’re here then I’m hoping you’ve read my ‘about me’ and know a little of why I’m here. Long story short: I love to travel. You can rightly assume that my reasons for travelling are much the same as everyone else’s. I crave adventure, new experiences, different cultures and of course who doesn’t love a pretty landscape? If we could all wake up with a beautiful view everyday, with minimal responsibility and nowhere in particular to be, I’m sure many people would choose that life over a 9-5 any day.

However, short story long: I think travelling is so much more than that.

Now, don’t get me wrong, a huge part of why people travel is that travelling tends to be a catalyst for self-discovery. Trying new things and having experiences that you can’t have imagined generally forces you to take a look inwards, at how you feel in these new environments, and at how they differ from what you’re used to. You can meet new people at every turn, take a break from your normal routine, all while creating lasting memories. A simple google search will tell you all of this. 

But.. I’m a sensitive soul who likes to look at things a little deeper. The first big trip abroad that I went on was 2 months volunteering in Asia, and to some extent it was in honour of my mum. She passed when I was little and so she never got to do the travelling she always wanted to do. Her pension was split into trust funds for my brothers and I, so when I turned 18 and was granted access to it I wanted to spend the money in a meaningful way. The money she had worked hard for paid for my flights and the volunteer programme and the money I worked hard for paid my way whilst I was out there. It was the only way I could imagine spending that money and I think I did her proud. 

This trip, at the beginning of 2023, was the first time I’d been on a plane by myself, my first time leaving Europe, and my first time going backpacking rather than just on holiday. It’s safe to say it took a good dose of courage to go, yet that’s also why the personal growth I experienced is invaluable. If you could stand in a room with 18 year old me and me today, you’d see I am significantly more confident, more sure of myself and have a much greater understanding of the world we live in. 

If you know me now, though, you know that I thrive in chaos; I don’t feel normal if I’m not at least a little bit all over the place. This is one reason I think travelling suits me very well, as you travel more you’ll understand there are a great many variables that you can’t control until the moment, or simply can’t control at all. Something that for most would be considered a challenge, but I think the only way to challenge your boundaries is to push beyond them. So don’t let that stop you 😉 expanding your comfort zone can only ever be a good thing., therefore let it be reason to go rather than a reason not to. 

The other thing that draws me towards a life of travel is the new perspectives you will gain by observing other cultures and meeting people from all walks of life. Travelling is a way to gain new perspectives through your own experiences which not a lot of other things can give you. We are so often told, through the news, through social media, throughout school that this is how these other people live, but until you see for yourself it’s difficult to have an accurate understanding. It’s definitely much more powerful to see it through your own eyes and empathy is something this world needs a lot more of. That and kindness. 

So, if you’re thinking about doing some travelling and aren’t sure unsure whether or not to go, I will always encourage taking that leap. And hey, if you don’t like it, there will always be a flight home.