Well what a week it’s been.
With a number of COVID restrictions still in place, I made a decision some months ago, not to travel overseas until things had settled down and the likelihood of those ‘return immediately’ calls have diminished. And so I have been staying local – exploring the area surrounding my new home.
But this week, as my friend was visiting from London, we decided to take a little tour and travel a bit further afield – to Glencoe. I know, I know, it’s hardly the other side of the world. But let me tell you, it may as well have been, because the weather was on our side and Scotland was looking absolutely spectacular.
Seriously – there is no other word for it. SPECTACULAR!
And as we stopped to appreciate the beauty of the landscape, I could feel my heart and soul fill up. I felt totally replenished, and it brought me to reflect on why we experience so much goodness when we travel.
During my career, I travelled extensively for Business meetings – but I was late to the magic of travel. I was late to the insight that travel can totally transform your view of the world and your experience of life. In fact I didn’t understand these lessons until my relocation to Shanghai. That’s when everything changed. When I first experienced travel in a new way. With a childlike innocence … wide eyed and curious. I did not want to miss a single moment.
But can short-term travel (even in your home country) create opportunity for personal development? I say YES – absolutely! And let me share some reasons why ….
Travelling provides CLARITY
Travelling makes you appreciate what is going well in your life and to see more clearly, what needs to change. The things you have been taking for granted. What you have been tolerating for too long. The parts of YOU that you have been denying or which have been ‘lost’ among the expectation of others.
Travelling helps you to see where your negative behaviours may be holding you back from achieving all that you desire. The ‘stories’ you have told yourself about who you are and what you want. And how all of that combined, has created your current reality.
Travelling inspires creativity and exploration
I take my camera everywhere with me when I travel and as I view the world through this lens, I notice that I see things differently – in a greater level of detail, and with a much greater curiosity. I take time to appreciate the beauty in architecture and in the smallest of details.
How about you? Do you notice that you are more creative when you travel? Perhaps you enjoy photography like me? Or maybe you like to draw? Or write? For many, this is the time when they come up with all their best ideas….
You see, travelling also creates the space to dream more freely. Dreams for you. Your family. Your career. Your future. Your life.
Travelling forces you to let go of control
When we travel, unpredictable situations arise.
The beauty of this is it teaches you to let go of the need for control. You learn not to panic when something unexpected happens. You learn to adapt. You learn to laugh at things that once you may not have considered funny! You may have to choose your food from a photo menu – and you don’t always get what you expected!
You get to exercise your problem-solving capabilities in new situations and become more creative in finding solutions. And even your leadership skills get a good work out. All in all, travelling is great for mastering your emotions, developing your communication skills and learning to ‘go with the flow’ by relinquishing control.
Travel expands your natural comfort zone
Whilst to some, these words may fill you with dread, please trust me when I tell you – it is so worth any discomfort that you might experience initially. In fact, it’s totally liberating. Because you will realize that all your boundaries are completely self-imposed. And you can remove them anytime you choose. And when you remove the boundaries, you reconnect to YOU and then you get to really shine.
Stepping out of your comfort zone also has a positive impact on your CONFIDENCE. You get to see yourself do things you never considered before. You get to see more of what you are capable of. And in the process, you naturally become more confident.
Revival of the senses
Travel, if you do it right, can revive the senses.
Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste & Smell. Every trip provides opportunities to revive the senses and replenish the soul. It will leave you feeling alive, vibrant and inspired.
When we experience these emotions, we begin to remember who we really are and what we love to do. These moments allow us to re-connect with our true desires. To know what we want to achieve and what we need to let go of in our lives.
When we’re living a life that isn’t fully aligned with our values, things can become very boring. Dull. Predictable. Routine. And with that, we become numb. Disconnected from our souls.
We forget what we love.
We forget what moves us.
What makes us laugh.
What makes us tick.
We forget who we truly are. At our core.
Travel promotes self-discovery
Travel provides immense opportunity for self-discovery.
Not until you really understand who you are – what you like and don’t like, your strengths and weaknesses; the circumstances in which you feel brave, and those where you feel scared; where you thrive and where you feel challenged; or even how you respond in unexpected situations. Until you know all of these things, you won’t know what needs to be developed so you can evolve and grow.
Travel inspires gratitude
Seeing people who have less than you, yet living happily in very simple lives, is so humbling. No mobile phones, no iPads and often – no TV. Just good old-fashioned fun. Kids racing around all over the place with no shoes. Happy.
If you really want to experience growth as a human being, gratitude is essential.
And Personal Growth is fundamental to both success and happiness.
If you want to achieve more, you need to become more.
And if you want to be happy and fulfilled, you must continuously meet your need for growth. If personal development isn’t on your list of priorities right now, it should be. And so should travelling.
Whether its next week or next year and whether an overseas trip or exploring your home country – both will open you up to the benefits detailed above.
Of course, don’t take risks. Be sure to take all of the necessary precautions in order to protect against the virus.
x Until next time, sending you love x
I would love to get to know you more, connect with me here.
