Summary

The author reflects on the transformative experiences and lessons learned from traveling, emphasizing personal growth, the value of human connections, and a newfound perspective on life.

Abstract

In a personal narrative, the author shares the profound impact that travel, particularly a journey from the United States to Vietnam, had on their life. Initially skeptical about the cliché that "travel changes you," the author discovered a deeper understanding of people, developed a special love for themselves, and learned the impermanence of life's challenges. They found joy in solitude, formed fast friendships, and realized that home is not a place but a feeling. The journey led to self-discovery, resilience, and a passion for writing, culminating in the author's first published article.

Opinions

The author initially viewed the phrase "travel changes you" as a cliché but came to appreciate its truth through personal experience.
Exposure to diverse people and cultures fostered a newfound appreciation for humanity's uniqueness and the value of learning from others.
Solitude and overcoming challenges while traveling allowed the author to develop self-love and recognize their own resilience.
The concept of impermanence became a significant lesson, as the author experienced various difficult situations that eventually passed.
Fast friendships formed during travel are seen as deeply rewarding, contrasting with the busier, less open social dynamics in the author's home country.
The author grappled with feelings of guilt for leaving home but ultimately concluded that genuine relationships endure despite distance and time.
Writing emerged as a passion and a form of self-expression during the author's travels, leading to the creation and sharing of this narrative.

The Greatest Things I Learned Through Travel

Travel changes you. In 2018, when I set off on my journey from the United States to Vietnam without a set timeline, I had little to no idea about what people actually meant when they said: “travel changes you.”

Many nights before I left the states, I laid awake reading articles and watching vlogs about travel. I kept hearing and reading over and over again was, “travel changes you.” How cliche, I always thought.

However, those were the truest words that I’d ever heard. It did change me, on a deeper level than I could’ve imagined. I never really felt like I wanted or needed to change and that wasn’t why I wanted to pack my bags. Really, I was just bored.

I have a newfound love for people.

If I am being honest, people used to get on my nerves. They still do sometimes. But, I view people differently now.

When you explore six countries in a year, you (obviously) get to know so many different people. Everyone has quirks. Everyone has different opinions. You can learn something from everyone. You can teach something to everyone.

And that’s what makes us unique.

Trek and Boat Ride to Inle Lake, Myanmar

When you grow up in a bubble, you don’t realize how sheltered you actually are. Until you burst your own bubble. Meeting people from all over the world and truly being open to getting to know people allowed me to realize how amazing humans are.

My favorite kind of human is the one who is not like me because I learn the most from them.

I have a special love for myself.

Not that I didn’t love myself before, I just never really thought about it. In my old (pre-travel) life I woke up, got dressed, went to work, ran errands, ate a few meals in between, and went to bed. Everyday.

I went to Sunday brunch sometimes. I walked my dog. I occasionally hung out with family and friends. But, for the most part, life was pretty monotonous. And very busy.

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When I got to Southeast Asia, I began to work a lot less. I spent hours and sometimes days all by myself. I enjoyed sipping coffee, eating meals, taking walks, and sitting in silence on airplanes and buses.

Not only did I have a lot of time to get to know myself and enjoy my own company, but I faced and overcame many challenges. The combination of these things allowed me to realize that I am kind of cool and pretty resilient!

I can feel a little silly when I say that. We aren’t so used to giving ourselves credit but let’s give credit where credit is due.

Nothing is permanent.

I encountered quite a few trying situations on that side of the world. If those things were permanent, I would’ve never survived it.

The good news is that nothing is permanent. Things may last far longer than we’d prefer but nothing truly lasts forever and ever.

The loud motorbike horns in Vietnam eventually quieted. The discomfort of sitting on tiny plastic stools when eating out stopped being so uncomfortable. Squatty potties became the new normal. My broken heart from breaking up with my intended travel partner healed. My broken foot healed, too.

A special monk, Phra KK, once told me “everything is impermanent” and I have never stopped replaying those words in my head.

Fast friends are the best friends.

It’s almost always taken me a painfully long time to warm up to people. Opening up to people had always been quite the challenge for me. At the age of 30, I still don’t have a full grasp on how to completely let my walls down.

While on my journey on the other side of the world, I met new people almost everyday. I would introduce myself, make an effort to get to know them, and oftentimes become best buds.

In the states, walking up to someone in a cafe or asking a stranger in your hostel to grab lunch would be deemed as “weird.” Also, people are understandably too busy for random new friends (and longtime ones, too) when they work a 9 to 5.

When I went to Vietnam in October of 2018, I had never left the U.S. On my second night there, I met my new best friend. Her name is Natalie and we instantly connected. The night I met her, I immediately told her every detail of this crazy thing that had just happened to me. I would’ve never opened up that quick before. I don’t know what the air in Asia did to me but it did something.

I built more incredible, true friendships during that time than I ever had back home. (lots of love to my people at home!) But, now I know the massive reward of taking the time out of a busy life to meet new people and truly open up.

Home really is where the heart is.

On my journey, I sometimes found myself feeling guilty about leaving “home.” My mom missed me, my nieces and nephews were growing up, my dog thought I left her for good, and friendships were growing apart.

Those yucky feelings were always eased when I remembered that all those things and people would still be there when I returned.

Sure enough, I got home and things were, in fact, a little different. But what remained was that my mom and I continued our great relationship featuring the small tiff here and there (don’t think that will ever change). My nieces and nephews are still cute and didn’t forget about me. My dog and I picked right up where we left off. And my friends are still my friends (phew).

And, honestly, my biggest takeaway is…

home isn’t a location, it’s a feeling.

What is home to you? Leave a comment!

I drafted this article in Thailand about 9 months ago. I always enjoyed writing and journaling but it was when I sat down in a cafe just typing away at this when I realized that writing hit the spot for me. After that, I oftentimes just sat down at my computer and started typing up a thought and before I blinked, I had a whole article written. I am grateful to finally share my ‘first piece’ with anyone but myself.

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