The question that arises to every newbie traveler is, is travel worth it? I’ve been asked this question a zillion times and today we are going to answer it in the best way possible. We are going to talk about why people feel travel is overrated, what are the benefits that are actually true, are there any bad things about travel, etc.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
The world is a big place with 7+ billion people. It’s pretty much impossible to see it all in one lifetime, but that doesn’t stop people from trying. If you are even remotely interested in traveling, you will inevitably hear at some point that travel is overrated. Whether it’s because of the crowds, the expense, or the time required to get there, for some reason, there are a lot of people out there who think traveling isn’t worth it.
I used to think all of those things too, and it took me a while before I could say that travel really is worth it. But trust me, I know what you’re thinking. How can travel be worth it if you say that everyone should experience all the wonders in their own country before they see any in another one? Well, here’s the thing. I don’t think you should limit yourself to your own country. I think you should take advantage of the fact that the world is huge and there are so many beautiful places out there waiting to be discovered.
What Do People Mean When They Say Traveling Is Overrated?
I think people tend to over-romanticize the idea of traveling. It’s become this popularized thing that everyone has to do at least once. It’s something that is being sold to you, made to seem irrefutably necessary just because everyone else is doing it. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Traveling is not overrated because it’s being marketed to you.
Traveling is something that you can choose to do, or not do. In my experience, people who complain about traveling being overrated don’t actually understand what it is, they just know that it’s something trendy that people seem to be obsessed with.
Traveling is not overrated because it takes time and money. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to a destination that’s an hour away or halfway across the world. If you have time, and you have money, you can take a weekend trip. If you work hard, save up your money, and take the time to plan it all out, any trip, anywhere, is worth it.
What I’m trying to say is this: If you love traveling, but you think it’s overrated, maybe it’s because you haven’t experienced the good parts yet. Maybe if you tried a different type of traveling, one that works for you, you’d learn to love it the way others do.
Why Traveling Is Worth It
There are a million reasons to travel, and you know how I know that? Because there are a million reasons people choose not to. If everyone hated traveling, then nobody would do it. Right? So here are a few reasons why I think traveling is still worth it, even if it’s not your priority.
Travel can be a great way to learn about other cultures and ourselves
One of the biggest reasons I travel is so that I can learn about other people, their cultures, and how they think. The world is a huge place, and it’s full of so many different kinds of people that you’ll never experience if you only stick to the places that you’re familiar with.
For example, when I went to Sweden a couple of years ago, it was absolutely incredible to experience a whole other culture. I got to learn how they do things, what’s important to them, and which traditions are worth keeping up. No matter where you go, you’ll learn something about yourself just by being out of your element.
Traveling lets you have incredible experiences
Some of my favorite memories from traveling have nothing to do with monuments or museums, and a lot to do with the simple things. Like when I was in Morocco, and my friends and I went out to eat with a random family. We ordered mostly in French, but it was a really cool experience because we had to communicate with the locals to make sure that we were asking for what we wanted.
Travel should be about more than just going from one place to another
I’ve gotten this feeling before, where I’m somewhere new, and I realize that I haven’t actually stopped and looked at my surroundings. I’ve spent so much time on the next destination that I haven’t actually taken in what it is or how different it is from the place I just came from.
The reason I travel is that it’s one of the few things that let me experience something for longer than a few hours or a couple of days. One of the best parts about traveling is that you’re forced to sit back and take it all in, you have to because you’re not rushing right to the next thing.
It can help you build a life that’s better than your current one
One of the biggest reasons why people don’t travel, in my opinion, is because they’re afraid. They’re afraid that they’ll leave their friends and family, the places that they know. They’re afraid of being homesick or losing touch with the people they care about.
If you’ve been thinking about traveling lately, I have a little challenge for you. If you can manage to spend seven days somewhere new, then you can probably handle moving. I think that if you can take the time to experience something different than your own life, then you’re ready to build something new for yourself.
How To Make Traveling Worth It
So, you’re probably asking yourself, “Why should I travel?” And that’s a valid question and many people hate traveling. I know that not everyone is going to want to travel, and even if you think it sounds like a good idea, there are probably a million different reasons you don’t want to.
I know that the idea of traveling might seem intimidating, but I promise you that it doesn’t have to be. Many people want to know how to make your traveling effective and useful, and I’ll tell you how.
Figure out what kind of stuff you like to do
There are some things that everyone loves to do when they travel. No matter how old you are, what your background is, or where you came from, you can find some common ground. For example, everyone likes to eat food from other cultures. If you’re traveling somewhere that has a unique food culture, make sure to take advantage of it.
Traveling is all about immersing yourself in something new
The reason why people take vacations is to give themselves a little break from their daily routines. Now, you can make your trip as relaxing or as adventurous as you want, but you should make sure to plan at least some time for yourself. If you want to be really authentic, then try visiting a spa or something similar, you’re definitely going to have a life-changing experience.
Take small steps to do bigger things
There are plenty of people who want to go on an epic trip, but they never have enough time, they never have enough money, or they can never get a hold of their friends. If it sounds like you, then I have some advice. Don’t try to plan out something huge, take it one step at a time, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly you can accomplish things. Plan a small trip to somewhere close, but don’t rule out places that are further away.
Try to make friends with locals
I know it sounds like a cliché, but the best way to travel is by making friends with locals. Not only does it make your experience better, but it also gives you a different perspective on things. I’ve had friends tell me about other cultures that are completely different from their own, and it has allowed me to create a better understanding of the world.
Learn about the people who live there
I’m not saying that you have to go somewhere and try to become an expert on the culture, but I do think that the best way to travel is by immersing yourself in your surroundings. That means taking the time to learn about the people, their history, and how they live. Most importantly, you should talk to them! Ask them questions about what’s important to them, how they feel about their lives, and what kinds of challenges they have to face every day.
Learn from your mistakes
There are going to be some things that you do wrong, but the fact is that they’re all part of what makes travel so great. I know that you might find some things, not to your liking, but don’t let that keep you from seeing the good parts. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s up to you whether or not you want to learn from them!
Final Thoughts
I hope that these tips have helped you better understand how to take the best care of your travels. It’s not just about seeing new places, it’s also about learning more about yourself. If you make a couple of friends, learn from your mistakes, and enjoy the things you love to do, then I know that your trip is going to be something you remember for the rest of your life.
When you have traveled enough every time someone says Is travel worth it? You should feel confident in saying yes. I’m not saying this to sock it to people, but travel is a great experience for everyone. I don’t think there is a person in this world that wouldn’t benefit from seeing new places and meeting new people. Whether you’re on a family vacation, going surfing with your friends, or even just taking a trip to your best friend’s house down the road, you should take advantage of your opportunities for travel.
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