7 Lessons I’ve Learned from Traveling

Yesterday, I made it back to Maryland for the first time in four weeks! Yes… four long and yet incredible weeks! Traveling has become a huge part of my life over the past year and I feel like every single trip teaches me something new!

Today, I’m sharing 7 Lessons I’ve Learned from Traveling and I hope you get a kick out of it! Let me know what lessons you’ve learned from exploring in the comment section below!

1) You don’t need as much “stuff” as you think you do.
This is a big one. Traveling forces you to fit your entire life into a single bag and when a trip lasts a couple of weeks, you begin to realize how all the “things” you carry with you only seem to weigh you down.

We live in this world where more possessions means that you are better off… but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. The more that I travel, the more that I realize the freedom that comes from just letting go.

2) Dry Shampoo is a gift from God.
I’m not sure that this truly needs an explanation, but I can honestly say that I’ve developed a massive love affair with this heavenly dry shampoo. When you’re on the go, jet lagged, and traveling all the way around the world… you’re going to love that magical little can that works miracles on your hair. Just trust me on this one.

3) When you step outside of your comfort zone, be prepared to fall in love with the person you become.
If you had told me a year ago that I would go bungee jumping, fly in a helicopter, and get that tattoo I’ve wanted for years… I’m pretty sure I would have told you that you were talking about somebody else.

When you bury the bravest version of yourself under layers of insecurities,
you begin to forget just how strong you are.

Somewhere between the daily grind of life, work, and general responsibilities, we stop challenging ourselves to overcome the things that scare us. Traveling offers us the opportunity to step outside of our comfort zone and take a leap of faith.

4) People have so much to teach you. Take the time to listen.
Traveling teaches you how to be a better listener. From the boutique owners in a small town to the Uber driver in San Francisco, you can learn so much about the world simply by listening.

It’s as easy as asking someone about themselves. Start with a simple question: Where is your favorite restaurant in town? Where should we go to watch the sunset? You may be surprised by their answer and you’ll likely discover something you would have never found in a traveler’s guide!

5) Losing access to your phone may be the best thing to ever happen to you.
We get in the habit of using our phones like digital security blankets. Texting, posting, commenting, and liking can be a giant distraction from the world around us. One of the greatest gifts of traveling internationally is the lack of cell phone coverage and data. It’s amazing what you will discover when you put away your phone and live intentionally in the moment.

6) Have a Plan B… And a Plan C… Always.
Travel plans will never go the way you expect them to. You’ll have delays, bad weather, dead phones, and spotty wifi. You may run out of cash, you may not speak the language, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll need to route yourself through a city using nothing more than a map! Can you imagine? The horror! 😉 Hah!

7) There really is no place like home.
This is the big one. Traveling makes you appreciate just how special your home truly is. Whenever I’m gone for a few weeks, I always start to miss Annapolis and all of the things that I take for granted. I miss my warm bed, furry pups, and the way the breeze feels right off the Bay.