10 Reasons Why Travel is Important To Me — Writing Prompt

Freedom & Joy are Just Two of Them

“Why do I travel? What is so interesting about travel that I’m willing to give up so many other things? Is there a purpose to all this traveling nonsense?”

— Jack Road

I thought these were good questions for me to ponder on too as I think it’s important to know why we do what we do.

Many people talk about how passionate they are about travel, but the word passion does not resonate with me. I don't like to say, I am passionate about traveling, but I like it a lot and it makes me feel good.

I want to get to the bottom of my desire for travel too. I mean, I could have flown to Hanoi, Vietnam, and stayed in the first job I got, but no, I had to keep going, I had to see more. I wasn’t satisfied to stay in one place. Why is this?

That is the million-dollar question, but maybe writing 10 reasons why travel is important to me might bring some more clarity. I don’t know, let’s see.

Below are Jack Road’s 10 reasons why travel is important to him and an invitation to take part in his writing prompt.

Feel free to join in if you are a traveler, nomad, backpacker, or whatever you like to call yourself.

So, here are my 10 reasons..

They are not in any particular order.

1. Travel gives me freedom

The top reason why I like to travel is for the freedom. I feel so free living a nomadic life. I love being away from home and exploring the world, meeting new people, building confidence, learning new things, evolving as a person, and healing along the way.

There’s just nothing like it, for me!

2. Travel brings me joy

The joy I experience when I travel is hard to describe. I suppose it comes from the freedom I feel, but I think it’s also because I am doing what once seemed impossible for me.

It feels good to make things happen for yourself.

About two years ago, I did a talk in a workspace in Da Nang, Vietnam about how I changed my life.

It was a great evening. At the end, a guy from Lithuania asked, “What is it that makes you so happy?”

I had to pause, and then said, “I think it’s the change, the different culture, the weather, the food, the beach, my work, my new friends, having a motorbike, lots of things!”

He replied, “I get it, it’s a mix of it all. It’s not just one thing.” And that’s true, it’s everything. When you get moving, things start to happen. It’s magical.

3. Travel gives me an opportunity to live in a warm climate

Coming from Ireland, I was not used to sunshine. I didn’t even think about it much. I was used to our weather and, to be honest, the sun used to annoy me a bit because I was never prepared for it.

I didn’t have the right clothes and I always felt too hot in the summer months.

But, after living in Vietnam and Malaysia, I got used to the sun. I found it hard too, especially when it got really hot, but overall I enjoyed living in the sun. It has a positive effect on your mood.

4. Travel allows me to experience different cultures

It is the people that interest me the most. I love to get to know the local people if I can. I have always had an interest in travel and culture. It’s hard to know where that came from exactly, but, I left home at nineteen and always enjoyed traveling.

It makes me think about how God just designs us that way. Why would one person like it in a family and another one have little interest? It has to come from somewhere. I believe I was born with it.

Later I studied Anthropology and Sociology as a mature student which got me thinking about travel again.

I tend to prefer cultures that are much different from my own. For example, I’m in Europe now and although I’m excited to see more of it, I can’t help but think of places like Africa or Asia.

I think there is a skill in being able to adjust to different environments and cultures. Not everyone is able for it or even interested.

People are sensitive to foreigners coming into their country. They are suspicious, so it’s important to tread carefully.

I love and respect people so I think that helps me when I travel. I want to give something when I stay in a country, not just take.

5. Travel gives me a global community

I know some people say, hey wait a minute, you travelers don’t have community! You would think that, but it’s surprising how you form a community of sorts.

I prefer face-to-face communication, but due to my new lifestyle, I have had to make the most of online connections.

I don’t like virtual friendships, meaning close messaging with friends from around the world. After a while, it gets in the way of my travel as one or both of us form an attachment. I have to be careful about this.

When I make a base for a while, I go to events and meet people one-to-one as often as I can. And if my traveling friends are nearby, I meet them too.

I like community even though I need my freedom.

6. Travel allows me to grow as a person

I am continuously learning and growing. I live a reflective life. It’s vital for me.

I am an educator. That is my role. I teach in different ways and in order to stay up to date on the areas I like to teach, I need to be constantly learning and reflecting on my own personal growth.

There’s a scripture in the Bible that says, “to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him, they will ask the more.” — Luke 12:48

And it’s true. I am not the most educated woman in the world, but when you travel to developing countries where few people have the luxury of third-level education, you have a responsibility to be aware of this privilege and not to exploit or undermine others.

Many barely get the opportunity for a basic education due to poverty and other social and economic factors.

So, I give where I can. Education can be about sharing your life and showing others what’s possible for them.

I also like to share my faith which I will talk about in the last point.

7. Travel allows me to leave the familiar and see new places

I enjoy the natural beauty in whatever country I visit and of course, I love the history and architecture too.

I prefer to take photographs than write about it though. Then I can let you draw your own conclusions or impressions.

I think of the photograph as a book cover. It gives you an idea of what the place looks like.

8. Travel introduces me to a variety of delicious foods from around the world

I love food from all around the world, it’s fantastic, but I am not a foody so I don’t write the details about the food I eat, but I have eaten some amazing dishes in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and now, here in Portugal too.

I may start to write about the food, but I am a bit stubborn and only like to write about topics that I enjoy most.

If someone wants to pay me to do a write-up about food in Portugal, I will go out and do it, but it’s not one of my favorite things to write about.

9. Travel gives me a chance to enjoy solitude, silence, and peace

I need solitude and traveling solo gives me this. A quote came to my mind today and I cannot remember who wrote it, but if you know, please do remind me in the comments below.

The quote refers to how the youth do not value silence, but to the mature, “silence is delicious.”

I love silence, solitude, and peace. It’s so beautiful. This is why I have thoroughly enjoyed the last four years of my life.

It’s possible to find a lot of solitude when you don’t have the obligations of visiting family members, friends, and the usual social things we get caught up in at home.

10. Travel is the vehicle in which my life purpose can flourish

It is my life purpose, calling, or vocation, whatever you’d like to call it. I am a Christian writer and I travel. It's how God has led me.

I share my faith and the good news of Jesus Christ wherever I can and I get to enjoy the beauty of the world at the same time.

I am currently writing an e-book so when I travel I can direct people to it. It is the gospel explained simply.

The book is called, New Creation and I hope to have it published before the year is out.

Thank you for reading!

Thank you Jack for putting this prompt out there. It has been helpful in getting me to write a mission statement of sorts. :)

Orla K. 2021

Below is a poem I wrote in June of this year called, “Travel, And why I love it.”