5 Life Changing Discoveries from Traveling the World

Traveling in any form opens you up to the world. It opens your mind to new people, places and cultures, and is fatal to narrow-mindedness. I am so incredibly fortunate to have been able to travel far and wide, and have learned, discovered and shared more with other people than I ever imagined.

Here are my top 5 life changing discoveries from traveling the world:

1. The Kindness of Strangers

Those of us born and raised in Western cultures seem to grow up with a real ‘stranger danger’ warning. We instruct children not to talk to strangers and not go anywhere new alone. Maturing into adults this stigma about strangers lessens but ultimately remains. Therefore when talking to people about traveling solo, often the idea is met with stern safety warnings and concerns.

Thankfully these concerns could not be further from the truth. I have received phenomenal kindness from strangers I’ve met during my travels. As a solo traveler, often there is no choice but to trust someone new. Whether asking for directions, dining alone or meeting people in hostels, on tours or just walking down the street, I have found that people are only too happy to help me, dine with me, talk and share with me. Strangers have shared their meals, paid for my food, given me directions by actually taking time out of their day to accompany me to my desired location. Of course there are general safety rules to follow, but don’t view everyone you meet with concern. Smile, say hi and introduce yourself. You may just turn a stranger into a friend.

Whilst traveling strangers very quickly become friends.

2. Relax and Let it Happen

You can’t control everything. You might have your trip planned, itinerary in place and know exactly where you’re going to be and when. But things will change. Life will happen, and it’s not always a bad thing.

Learning to relax and enjoy the spontaneous moments is what makes travel exciting, often ludicrous and always character building.

Flexible plans allowed me to be in Munich for Germany’s 2014 World Cup win. It was awesome!

3. Everyday Happiness does Exist

I wrote about this a while ago in my I don’t have bad days anymore post. I had always thought that no one could be happy all the time. Sometimes you have bad days, get stressed at work, are annoyed with a family member, or are just not sure what you’re doing with your life. However as soon as I started traveling, I was happy everyday. Yes I had difficult days. At times I was sick, I missed seeing my friends and sometimes I was a little lonely, but at no time did I want to be anywhere else.

Traveling creates a happiness high that thrive on. It is so addictive that as soon as I landed back in Australia, I was booking my next flight out.

Happiness comes in all forms when traveling.

4. Living with Less is so Much Better than Having More

Life is simple when you live out of a backpack. Clothing choices are limited, you care that little bit less about you’re appearance, and creativity happens when laundry needs to be done but you didn’t pack detergent. I truly am happier living with less and discovering that the most important parts of living are not materialistic.

A bottom bunk, a hostel towel and a backpack make an amazing life.

5. Everyone Wants the Same Thing

People around the world want basically the same thing – to be healthy, have happy families, successful children and an enjoyable life. Yes there is a massive amount of diversity in the world, that’s what makes it beautiful. But ultimately, no matter the cultural, language or geographical differences, humans connect through common dreams and goals.

So go discover the wonders of travel.