Why Traveling Isn't About The Destination, But Rather What You Choose To Take Away From It

Henry Miller stated, “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

We all travel for different reasons and we all travel in our own unique ways. Some of us travel to explore, some of us travel to soul search, some of us travel for a quick holiday, or for work, an adventure or simply to taste food.

However, all of our different reasons for traveling revolve around one idea: the idea of seeing and experiencing new and different things.

Oftentimes, when we choose to travel, we think of the destination as if it is the only thing that matters. I have always wanted to go to Spain and have always wanted to find romance in the streets of Paris and go parasailing on the shores of Sao Paulo.

There is nothing wrong with dreaming in this way. In fact, I highly encourage you to do so, as well. However, at the end of the trip, the destination is not what makes your traveling experience memorable or not-so memorable. It is the journey that dictates how you will feel when you leave.

When we travel, we take things with us. From a tired body longing for relaxation to a broken heart, we take things with us whether we realize it or not.

On our arrivals, we seek out new sights, thoughts, things and ideas foreign to our own in order to feel better, look better and enjoy life better. By the time we leave, we will feel differently. Whether those feelings are positive or not is solely up to the individual and how he or she approaches travels.

So yes, it is up to you, just like anything else in life is up to you. If you allow it, traveling is a key to changing the way we think and approaching our lives for the better. It teaches you about yourself, about life and about what you need to be happy to live the life you desire.

By doing so, we discover our likes and dislikes, step out of our comfort zones, gain new perspectives, learn about similarities and differences in cultures and cope with new situations. Essentially, we do things we previously failed to appreciate or actually understand.

There will be times when the destination is not exactly as you hoped or dreamed it to be. When this happens, you can leave disappointed or you can leave with a newfound appreciation of the life you have back home.

Now, wouldn't it be great if you could be the person you are on your travels all the time, rather than solely when you’re traveling? When we travel, somehow we do things and say things we most likely wouldn't do or say in our daily lives. Why? It is your attitude?

Yes, the destination of your travels helps, but most importantly, it is the mindset you have on your travels that contributes to your disposition at the end of it all.

What am I trying to say? When you leave a destination, choose to take the positives with you and leave behind any negative thought, feeling or attitude you harbored.

Challenge and encourage yourself to take forward steps toward achieving your vision by dreaming bigger, listening to your body and focusing on the little things in life that truly matter to you. By doing so, you are choosing to take a purposeful and joyous road in your life that will make you feel better and live a happier life.

Remember, every moment you are alive is an experience from which to grow and learn. The sooner you realize this and accept it, the sooner you will feel more alive and better than before.

This world is a beautiful place, and we have very little time to see and experience it all. So, pack up your bags and travel, but live your travels and choose to take the positives along with you. It is all about the mindset, baby!

Photo Courtesy: We Heart It