Probably the most common question I've seen travel bloggers answer. Why do you travel? Now, we all travel for different reasons. But, the most common reason that stands out when I read these blogs is that fact people seem to be scared. Scared at life behind a desk, scared to fall into routines, scared of commitment, scared at the lack of freedom.
For me, I'm not running away from problems when I travel. I'm the type of person that strives to deal with problems head on, it's the only way you can learn from a situation, good or bad. How can you take your own life seriously if all you ever do is run?
I'm young and in many aspects inexperienced in life. The two aspects of why I travel, in a strange way, kind of contradict each other, but hear me out...
The first reason I travel is because I want to experience these wonderful places while I'm young enough to do it, without too many financial repercussions. Travelling has allowed me to meet so many people that have become so important in my life. It's helped me learn from other peoples upbringings and experiences, and I genuinely feel that I would not be the person I am today without those people, so thank you!
The second reason I travel is, and I said it would slightly contradict the first reason, is to help me along the journey towards self-reliance. The British Education System is extremely structured up to the point of leaving Secondary School. I remember arriving at college and being completely gobsmacked at all the freedom I had, what do you mean I can 'decide' if I want to go to class? I don't get told off if I don't go? it shocked me and if I'm honest, I didn't like it. I wasn't self-reliant, I relied on that constant structure from either my teachers or my parents - granted the structure from my parents was still there, but you get the picture. Back to the point! Travelling by yourself is a fantastic way to learn what you can cope with. I always tell my friends that "you learn the most about yourself when you feel uncomfortable", and it's a quote I pretty much live by. To start with, nothing scared me more than getting on a place by myself, but now it's second nature! After feeling intentionally uncomfortable, for me, there is nothing better now than taking a flight by yourself, headphones in, gazing out of the plane window, nothing but you and your thoughts, no one to rely on but yourself. Yes, it's scary, but life's scary!
If you don't feel like you're ready to travel by yourself, don't worry! I'm still learning, I have friends around the world which help me to take that journey towards self-reliance in baby steps. A flight by yourself is a good place to start, knowing you need to be somewhere for a certain time, and knowing that you need to get yourself there. It may not seem like much to you now, and you may feel uncomfortable doing it, but it's a damn good place to start..
Self-reliance isn't something that will happen overnight, it is something that is developed in stages as we get older, shaped by experiences you have and the goal of becoming more and more independent.
Travelling will help you shape the rest of your life, so don't be scared! DO IT!
Feel free to share your views and tell me, why do you travel?
Regards, Dan.
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