Note: This article is from blogger Cris Antonio, who talks about the true meaning of travel.
Everyone you know wants to travel the world, and perhaps you also do. There are other reasons to travel besides the social media updates from friends. Traveling has a lot of advantages, like the chance to visit the city of your dreams, learn about different cultures, and perhaps abandon everything and start a new life. There are many people whose travels have changed their lives forever. They found new jobs, new homes, new friends, and a new purpose to live for.
Whether you want to travel to Paris or any city, the idea of escaping alone is enough to excite you, but you might be broke. If you're like most millennials, you probably enjoy life but know that you can't follow your dreams because of your financial situation. What then happens when you want to travel and make changes in your life, but you have bills to pay? Would you quit your job and simply go? Or would you endure years of silence until a ray of hope emerges?
The answer might have become clear by now, “You don't need to travel the world to change your life.”
The Journey Is What Really Matters, not the Destination
One of my co-workers loves cycling. Every weekend, he rides his bike and goes cycling with his friends.
My friend says riding a bike is not just a great way to stay physically fit, but it also helped him overcome his fears and travel to far-off places. This is evident from his Facebook page, where he shares images of grassy pathways dotted with wildflowers, tall mountains that turn golden at dusk, and long, winding roads surrounded by greenery. He did not travel to different countries but had wonderful journeys nonetheless.
Cycling was his way to explore the world and relieve stress after a long week of hard work. It is an inexpensive and healthy form of exercise. It also helped him to quit his video game addiction. He claims that since starting this new hobby, he has never returned to his previous habit and feels an energy he has never experienced before.
Never underestimate the power of tiny things. For example, small coral reefs can wash up on the beach and combine to create stunning sandy beaches. What matters is what you did and experienced during your brief journey, regardless of where you go, whether it's an island, a neighboring nation, or your parents' house.
Relief Yourself
Psychiatrist Abigail Brenner suggests experiencing loneliness as it helps you make better decisions. Loneliness gives you a free space to be yourself and find your identity without being exposed to external influences.
I used to go into the woods by my mother's house to reflect on whether or not to leave my job. I knew the route well; it was only a few minutes away. I would go out late afternoon when people were going home for dinner.
I considered the advantages and disadvantages, reviewed my plans, visualized myself working, and found happiness in the small things during these private outings. I could work from anywhere with my laptop, but there were moments when I wished things were different. It may seem absurd, but these daydreams guided me in selecting the best action.
At that time, if I had been reckless, I would have resigned immediately. However, reality sometimes imposes itself. If I had not dared to remain alone, I would have followed my impulses as I used to do in the past. I may have regretted my decision later, but my perceptions of what I wanted to achieve changed thanks to these quiet walks.
Happiness is Closer than You Think
The French novelist Marcel Proust said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
So, what can you do when you're desperate to get away but don't have the time or patience to get started?
Start gradually. Your first trip should be within your city. You'll be shocked to learn that there are still some surprises in the place you know so well. For example, freelance writer Ginny Graves mentioned in one of her articles that she was so preoccupied with her fears that she did not notice the cute black dog in her neighborhood until one rainy day when she saw it soaked up in the rain. Simple moments of joy often pass before our eyes, but we ignore them because we focus too much on other things.
It is natural for us to wish for what we do not have. Feeling anxious about silly things is also normal human behavior, but when we delve into negative emotions, they may destroy our potential. The change you seek and the happiness you long for are right before you. Dreaming of sunny beaches or romantic castles is okay, but you don't need to give up everything to see real change in your life. You may need a fresh perspective.
Don't travel just to see different places because true traveling only begins when you see the world from a new perspective. It is like someone wearing glasses for the first time and suddenly begins to notice every crack, every corner, and every bend. It is when you think about what you have, smile, and eventually say, “My life is wonderful.”
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