I believe travels affect your life and offer life-changing opportunities. It shapes you through hardships and discovery. Indeed, you will never be the same again.
Have you ever thought how traveling the world affects your life and personality? Well, we say travel is one of the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Indeed, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Have you ever heard about this cliché? Well, you probably have, but this is still a pretty accurate cliché! I have never learned as much about myself and developed skills as during and after each of my trips. Think about it, you are open to a new culture, new people, new customs and so many challenges! Because no matter where you are, you are out of your daily comfort zone. Here are a few ways in which travelling can make you a better person.
The world is wide, we know it but there is nothing similar than experiencing the diversity of the world by melding together with the locals’ culture. By nature, we are often scared of everyone who is different to us. But despite our differences, we’re all connected. Travel shows us how much we can be similar to another when at first sight nothing could have predicted this. We might feel overwhelmed sometimes and feel minuscule in a new environment but, believe me, travelling and surrounding ourselves with people from a different culture make us see the life with a new eye. Our mindset will be definitely open to a bigger picture!
I can not count how many times i have felt emotionally moved from a warm handshake or a powerful smile while words failed because of the language barrier.
I will always remember all the times ‘imo’ (Korean aunties managing small restaurants) fed me more than other people to make sure I was eating enough in South Korea. They wouldn’t say a word but our smiles spoke for themselves. Without telling me, they would put cookies and drinks into my pocket, hiding it from other customers.
Or the time ‘ahjussi’ (korean men in their 60’s) shared with me their order in a Korean traditional barbecue restaurant. They would put their meat pieces on our grill to welcome me in Korea. It was very moving as I was not in a major city, there is always a thought that they might be afraid of you because of communication. Also the fact that beef is extremely expensive in Korea, they didn’t mind sharing with a total foreigner.
In both of these examples, we knew we couldn’t communicate well but actions speaks louder than words. These memories will last a lifetime.
I have never felt more French than when I was abroad and it made me realize there is no place like home. We appreciate the little things, like a great coffee or a soft bed. We understand the best souvenirs are actually moments and memories whilst leaving materialism behind. We learn to live with the essentials, surrounding ourselves with our family and close friends. There will be many times we compare our travel destination to our own country. Indeed, many people say it, there is often introspection on one’s own culture following a trip.
Travels can help us prioritise and see what’s really important in life.
I realized France has so much to offer and I can not wait to plan my next trip. The following article made me want to discover more about castles in the Loire Valley. Read more articles about epic travel experiences : My family getaway in a French castle.
Sometimes we just need a break to get back on track!
Especially if the travel destination is far away, we can have a real break from our daily life. In case of severe stress and anxiety, wellness and slow travel can be your way to go to de-stress.
Retreats abroad offer several benefits such as group support, professional advice, and again, a real break. We can let go of what’s holding us back through newness and discoveries.
- There is no better feeling than living in the moment
- There is only one time that is important: Now
- It's never to late to bring some adventure into your life
Life can be very stressful juggling between work, kids and social life. It is often hard to manage to spend quality time together as we are all very busy with our own life. As friends, relatives, parents or lovers, time sometimes brings us apart. However, gathering towards the same goal can be a very good opportunity to grow together and better.
I have never felt so close to my father as after having brought him to Italy for a week (he is in his 50’s). It was a complete surprise and an incredible moment because it was the first time that he flew and went abroad. I literally saw him flourish throughout the week as he discovered more and more of him during the trip. I have always believed that travel is a life-changing opportunity and this experience has definitely proven it to me.
Check our Family Getaway in Bordeaux and Dordogne. This is the perfect escape for active and curious families. A trip full of original experiences, from the climbing of the highest sand dune of Europe to the exploration of the deep chasm of Padirac. Bordeaux and Dordogne are two fabulous destinations for adults and kids who love history, food, vibrant quaint villages, and outdoor activities. This trip will definitely bring you closer as a family.
A loss of a job, a break up or a traumatic experience can lead to a lot of doubt and low self-esteem. People usually travel in groups but a solo adventure can be an amazing path to self-love and self-awareness. I would say traveling alone can be very rewarding while making you confident in your own skin.
The most important lesson it can give us is to get to know who we really are. People might tell you you’re not capable of doing it, well, you might get surprised how people can adapt quickly, and without even knowing it, you could be doing something you’ve never thought of before.
Imagine skydiving… or going to a remote village instead of a big touristic city. It takes courage to go out of your confort zone but the personal reward is worth it.
Being lonely can turn out to being alone and it’s okay, you can make the best out of it!
Travels educate us in ways books just can’t. We will encounter so many situations that develop new skills we’ve never thought was possible before. We learn to trust our instincts and follow our own path, we learn to think on our feet and adapt to any changes we meet. We also learn to lean on others and ask for help when we really need it. More specifically, it can be route-planning, map reading, ordering a meal in the local language and so learn the basics of a new language.
Developing new skills is hugely satisfying for anybody.
Read our other blog post about useful words in French if you are planning a trip to a French speaking country. (link to Elise’s article about useful words in French)
Imagine telling your kids, grandkids, parents or grandparents how you traveled through Europe, how much it was disturbing to see people doing ‘la bise’ in France (you won’t be able to see this for a while though, due to Coronavirus), how generous Mediterranean people are, how impressive the ‘culture of the mamma’ is in Italy and so on…
There are so many more ways in which we evolve through our trips. Some of them are quite unique because each trip is different. It depends on our personal life context, our travel destination, the people we meet, the experiences we seek.
But wherever we go: a weekend break to relax at the sea side, a road trip through the alps with a lover, a cultural family trip in Paris… Each of us in its own way grows and learns from the challenges we face and adventures we experience. It shapes us through hardships and discoveries and trust me, you will never be the same again.
