Why Travel?

Benefits of Choosing the Road

Most of us bitten by the travel bug know exactly why we travel. We understand our need to set out on new adventures. We recognize the benefits of leaving home for new destinations, but the benefits look different for each of us.

Personally, if it’s been a while since I’ve left town or if I’ve been in one place too long, I get “itchy feet.” No, not literally but I start to feel unsettled and need to get away, to explore. I can’t describe it but it’s an almost physical need to hit the road.

Travel has profoundly changed my life and provided benefits I never expected.

-Travel provides relief from stress and anxiety.

The stress of work, responsibilities of family and friends, rigid schedules, finances and day to day monotony inevitably create stress and anxiety. I wouldn’t trade my family and friends, my schedule or even my ability to generate income for anything in the world. It goes without saying those gifts come with stress and anxiety at times. Travel relieves that stress and anxiety for me in countless ways, but mainly just getting away from the day to day.

-Travel creates new memories.

I have countless stories about beautiful places and beautiful people I’ve met that I wouldn’t otherwise have had as memories I cherish.

“Experiences over things” is my motto.

I’d rather have experiences than material possessions or belongings.

-Travel brings a fresh perspective.

New locations bring about a fresh perspective, a unique way of looking at life. If I’m trying to make a big decision, travel is the first thing I plan. A decision is made on the road much faster and easier than in the confines of my usual life.

-Travel fosters a unique thankfulness for home.

I find myself filled with gratitude for those I love, my home base, the familiarity of my hometown and the comforts of home. Traveling creates a feeling of thankfulness to be back I can’t describe.

-Travel generates new creativity.

I could write endlessly about this benefit of travel. Fresh ideas fire in my brain more rapidly when I’m in a new location or just simply driving on the open highway. New melodies are written, fresh articles, ideas for books, chapter outlines, etc. all have happened when I’m on the road.

On the way back to Texas from South Carolina last year, I dictated an entire eBook in my iPhone notepad. The idea for the eBook had not even entered my mind until a particular stretch of the highway.

Creativity courses through my veins when traveling.

-Travel teaches us to embrace cultural/societal/racial differences.

To say travel teaches us to embrace our cultural differences is a stretch because it also requires an openness, a willingness to learn. If we’re open to it, travel provides the deepest level of education imaginable.

Sharing a meal with friends in a different culture, staying in a non-touristy area, listening and observing racial and societal differences can provide an education we would never receive staying in our hometown with people who look just like us and know the same things we know.

-Travel builds confidence.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been lost. As in, “How in the world did I get here?” lost! It’s easy to get turned around in an unfamiliar place even with Google maps. When I first started traveling, I would get anxious and emotional about being turned around, afraid even. Not anymore.

I don’t typically drive at night, so I’m not usually in sketchy areas after the sun goes down. However, during the daylight hours I’ve found some of the most fantastic places when I’m turned around!

Like the time I encountered a tiny house village way out in the country after taking a wrong turn in North Texas. You can bet I stopped and talked to a few homeowners there and asked if I could wander around a bit.

Turns out getting lost can be a delightful surprise that builds confidence in your ability to navigate life experiences.

Not just directions, but learning how to locate dump stations, finding safe places to park overnight and even learning how to find cool sights along the way all lead to increased confidence.

To someone who doesn’t travel it may sound outlandish, but having the freedom and the opportunity to travel is a gift I don’t take for granted.

The benefits of travel are truly endless.