Sure, flying first-class and staying at a four-star resort is not going to be an awful experience. In fact, you’ll probably feel incredibly pampered and well take care of during your vacation, which is sometimes exactly what you need when you have time off from work. But, in all that luxury and comfort, sometimes you miss out on the best of what traveling has to offer. There is excitement in the unknown, and adventure in discovery.
Now, you might be the type of traveler that is more comfortable planning every, single last detail down to the wire, and that is perfectly fine. But, try to get outside your comfort zone when you’re globetrotting. You will not only give yourself unforgettable experiences, but chances are you’ll enjoy your trip that much more, and never want to travel the same ever again.
Trying something new breathes new life into your existence.
No really. It does. Our brains are a funny thing. They need to be constantly challenged and in pursuit. If they sit idle, a person came become a type of empty shell – only existing. Aristotle knew what was up with adventure. He talked about the importance of living your life to the fullest, labeling it Eudaimonia.
In an article from CNN, they discuss this idea and how research even claims that “the greater sense of purpose and personal growth associated with Eudaimonia correlates with lower cortisol levels, better immune function and more efficient sleep.”
So you see, traveling to new places and getting out into the wild is even good for your health – especially if you add in activities and events you’ve never tried before. There is a time and place for all-you-can-drink mimosas at a cushy beach resort, and sometimes we all need a dose of that. But don’t make that your getaway every time. Once you do, vacation will be less exciting, and more repetitive. You’ll have lost that valuable sensation of Eudaimonia, and there is so much more out there to see.
Cultural immersion changes your perspective.
Opting out of the luxury beach vacay leaves you options to explore different cultures and immerse yourself in a way of life that is not your own. One of the best ways to really understand who you are is to get outside of yourself. Immersion travel is one of the most beautiful journeys you can take in life. You realize the more people you meet and talk to all over the world, the more humanity is fundamentally the same.
Mark Twain said best, “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness…” The best part about immersion travel is that it doesn’t even require you to spend your time in only remote areas. If you’re open to speaking with those around you, you’ll find yourself surrounded by new ideas and perspectives even in the most touristy of destinations.
Adventure travel feeds your passions.
By not pigeon-holing yourself into the luxury travel category, you’ll also find that your vacations turn into adventures that fulfill the dreams and passions you’ve held dear to your heart – or even recently adopted. The more you decide to jump in there and try, the easier it will be to continue challenging yourself as the years go on.
In other words, you are setting yourself up to live your life to the fullest each time you head out on an adventure. You are building a resilience within yourself that will continue to fuel your dreams and ambitions in your personal and professional life, and what’s more rewarding than building a life you don’t actually need a vacation from?
So take those adventures home with you.
The more you get accustomed to challenging yourself with new experiences, the more you’ll want that to continue in your everyday life. Whether that is transitioning your career to a remote option that isn’t location dependent, or simply building yourself a sanctuary in the wilderness by building your own log cabin to return to after a long day – the decision is yours depending on what feeds your adventurous spirit. It’ll keep the adventure going every day until the moment arrives for your next trip (and trust me, there will be one).
New journeys are a catalyst for self-discovery.
Why? Well, how do you turn back once you’ve experienced living life to the fullest and following your passions? That’s the crux of it. You can’t. Once you’ve embarked on a new adventure, you won’t be able to go back to the person you were before – and that’s really a good thing. To understand who you truly are is a gift and gives you the chance to fulfill your full potential in the short time you have on this planet.
Don’t waste your opportunities on all-inclusive resorts every time you have down time. The journey is worth taking. It won’t be all sunshine and rainbows for sure, but there is value in the bad as well – and you’ll be happier overall for it.
