My 44-Day Adventure Around The World Is Coming To An End. Here’s Everything I’ve Learned.

#3: Your situation is what you make of it

I’ve been on a 7-week adventure across Europe and Asia.

• Singapore
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Spain
• England
• Nepal

With a few short stops in UAE and Malaysia.

It’s been a wild journey. Here’s what I learned.

#1: We are more alike than we are different

Humans are remarkably similar.

Yes, cultures are different. Languages are diverse. Histories differ. We might use different currencies to buy things, but fundamentally all humans want the same thing:

Connection.

• Connection to a community
• Connection to nature
• Connection to a purpose

These are inescapable requirements for being human.

From London to Barcelona, from Lisbon to Nepal, this was consistent with all the locals that I met.

Politicians and the media might try to wedge superficial differences to divide us. But human nature is universal.

Focus on what you lack, lose what you have.

Focus on what you have, and gain what you lack.

— Greg McKeown.

#2: Travel doesn’t automatically mean growth

Your intention for doing something is everything.

I assumed that people who traveled a lot would be more mature. I was wrong. Very wrong.

There’s a large majority of people who use travel to:

• Distract themselves.
• Run from their problems.
• Prevent themselves from growing.

I met digital nomads who seemingly had the dream life. If you looked at their social media it would be filled with adventure and having a good time.

But when you meet them in person?

They are f*cking miserable.

What did this teach me?

Answer: Nothing you do guarantees growth.

Especially if you do it for the wrong reasons.

#3: Your situation is what you make of it

Traveling is not always glamorous.

Long airport transits, jet lag, feeling homesick, experiencing culture shock, uncertainty, or feeling uncomfortable are inevitable and unsexy parts of travel.

During these times, you can choose to be sad or choose to remain grateful.

Whenever I find myself wallowing I take a moment to realize where I am and what I am doing. I am literally traveling the world by myself. I am living the life my past self would have killed for.

Gratitude is everything.

#4: I start random conversations with people.

Everywhere I go, I’ll chat with random people.

On planes, airports, or restaurants. I don’t look to get anything out of them. But the results have been amazing. I get to hear about people’s life stories, ambitions, and reasons for traveling.

Human beings are complex and fascinating.

You can learn something from anyone. Especially from people I disagreed with. I met everyone from conservatives to anti-v@xers, to the super woke.

I approach every conversation with a ‘be interested, rather than be interesting’ mindset.

I’ve grown my confidence in speaking to strangers. Most people are receptive to talking. I even went on a few dates in random countries.

Try it for yourself. Start a conversation with a random person.

#5: You’re allowed to drop your expectations.

• You don’t always have to do the tourist thing.
• You don’t always have to be social.
• You don’t always have to enjoy the country you visit.

Drop expectations and you’ll have a better time.

Do whatever it is you want to. It’s your journey after all.

#6: Travel has made me realize how much I have.

It’s cliche, I know.

But I was born in Singapore, and have loads of family there. Every time I go back I realize what my life could have been.

• What unspoken expectations would have been?
• What would the education system force me to learn?
• What job the employment system would make me work?

In Australia, I have access to 10x the opportunity than in Singapore. Especially with my family’s socioeconomic background.

Unlike Singapore, I’ve got an opportunity to own a property, buy a car, and pursue an unconventional career that is not understood in Singapore.

Travel is one of the best things you can do for your growth.

There’s nothing else quite like it.

It’s an investment that continues to pay dividends for a lifetime. It’s almost like investing in an index fund for life experiences. You get a taste of everything that compounds exponentially over time.

Travel more. Experience more.

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