Travel: Good for the Soul

There are all kinds of hobbies to satisfy different needs. Some people love the rush of adrenaline of rock climbing or the soothing effects of painting. For me, traveling is what feeds my soul. It is my passion, not only because I love experiencing new places and cultures, but because of what it has taught me.

Perspective
Traveling has truly opened my eyes and expanded my mind. I never thought about anywhere else outside of California (besides Paris, of course) until I started venturing outside of it. There’s a big ol’ world out there, but it’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine and forget that. Traveling puts things into perspective and can be life-changing. I could never let the rest of the world slip my mind now.

Mindfulness
I’ve learned to live in the moment because of my travels. It’s so important to stay present because experiences cannot be replicated, not even here back at home. I try to take in everything: the scenery, the scents, and just feel my emotions. Remembering to give each moment my full attention makes them all the more special and memorable.

Confidence
Travel can be taxing and that has made me self-reliant. I’ve been pushed outside of my comfort zone by unfamiliar situations many times, whether it was navigating a non-English speaking town or figuring out how to get to our next destination when the train that was getting us there was canceled. By pushing through all these instances, I realized how tough I am, and if I can handle the challenges while traveling, I can handle anything back home.

I’ve learned so much about the world and about myself through traveling. I feel most at ease when I’m out exploring the world broadening my mind, living in a moment-to-moment basis, and becoming more resilient. Travel has become a part of who I am, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

xo,
Ashley