Are you wondering why you buy expensive things such as cars, nice clothes and accessories, but still feel a bit empty inside? The accumulation of things may give you a sense of momentary fulfilment, but after you have used it for a while, you are back to the feeling that something is missing.
You may have heard the cliché “travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer,” there is a semblance of truth in this saying. Here are some of the reasons that this adage may ring true.
Money Can’t Buy Memories
Things have an expiration date while experiences last a lifetime. Memories have no price tag and are something you can always look back on fondly. These are what you make with friends and family. Shared activities, adventures and all sorts of fun things you did and everything in between.
These may not add to your bank account, but they will make you a happier person.
Pushes Your Limits
You’ll need to overcome your fears and limitation to become a better person and debunk any misconceptions you have in mind. Travel provides you with several instances where you have to deal with challenges, big and small.
It will test your patience, perseverance and tolerance for things that may have made you quit when you were still at home. These difficulties shape your personality and allow you to gain lifelong skills that you may need for a future job or a path towards entrepreneurship.
Provides a Taste of the World
A trip to the Sentosa Merlion in Singapore, the canals of Venice, the bustling streets of Delhi, the markets in China, the quaint little villages in Bolivia and the centuries-old mosques in Iran all provide you with some of the world’s wonders.
You’ll also get to taste cuisine distinct from the places you will visit. You’ll engage in conversations with locals and fellow travellers about your experiences and misadventures. All these stimulate your mind and enable you to debunk any wrong perceptions about certain countries.
Helps Build Self-Confidence
Travelling alone or with a group of strangers makes you uncomfortable, but it also allows you to grow and gain confidence. You’ll realise problems aren’t as bad as you thought they initially were. You survived a possibly life-threatening accident or a situation that has put you in danger like crossing borders.
However, you managed to overcome these roadblocks and are a better and more confident person.
Take Chances
When you travel, you are often taking chances. Should I go on this hike up that mountain alone or with a group? Should I hitch a ride with this seemingly friendly stranger? These are some of the questions you might ask yourself while travelling.
You’ll need to take a calculated leap of faith to trust these people or yourself. This risk-taking is translatable to the world back home, whether it is in starting a business or seeking a promotion.
Travel may not make you millions, but the experiences you gain are invaluable. These can be building blocks to a better version of you that’s more confident, controlled and determined.
