I’m sure many of you have your own reasons to travel. I have the reputation of “the traveler” in my family and friends. I figured I should share why traveling is important to me.

It’s hard to say that there is only one reason to travel.

Get out of your comfort zone

I got my first tattoo back in 2022 on my arm. This design is a plane flying around. Most people assume that it is simply because I like to travel. That is true but I have a meaning behind it too. One of my goals, whenever I am traveling, is to try new things (aka getting out of my comfort zone). I do not want to live a life in a bubble. If you are too focused on your routine, then how are you supposed to enjoy life to the fullest. My tattoo reminds me to be the same person everyday that I am while I am traveling. Explore everything the world has to offer.

See the beauty of the world

It is crazy to think about the beauty of Mother Nature. I know that sounds cheesy. It is easy to go about your life and to get used to your everyday views. When you are driving to work and you happen to be stuck in traffic, do you look out the window and think of a beautiful sunrise? Probably not. Let’s be honest, you are more likely to be mad that it is shining in your face. I know I don’t like to be driving during the golden hour. Now imagine that you have a beach front view at your accommodations. You view golden hour just a little bit differently. That’s what I’m talking about. It is easy to get stuck in your life, but when I’m traveling, I can remember everything that I am living for.

Expand your viewpoint

Every single person on this planet has a different experience in life. I’m serious. Siblings or friends will not understand your experiences like you do. I grew up in a military family and we moved around the country every three years. We all had to uproot our lives, make new friends, and finish school. My experience is still different than my siblings. I don’t even talk to my sister anymore because she didn’t get that my experience is different than her’s. It is the same when referring to geological locations.

I grew up in a Christian family in the United States. I am not going to fly over to Asia and expect everything to be the same as home. It is important to me to understand why people are the way that they are. How would growing in Ireland look? What are some holiday traditions in Italy? I refuse to be ignorant to everyone else in the world and their way of life.

This is a short life that we are living and we need to live it to the fullest.