Traveling changes you, whether you know it or not. Life lessons hit you when you least expect. This lockdown gave me the time to reflect on these lessons. Here are some of my observations over the years.

Experiences Over Possessions

Travel enforces the idea of carrying less luggage and managing with only the essentials. You discover how you can survive with fewer things. The experiences become the source of your happiness. And the freedom from extra luggage is an eye-opener. It certainly was for me. Through my years of travel, I learned to tour with fewer and fewer things. It somehow sowed the seeds of Minimalism in my mind.

Solo Over Group Travel

Traveling solo could feel lonely. I worried about it before I did my first solo trip. But being an extrovert, I hardly had to face such loneliness. There is an instinct in everyone, that tells you who to talk to. Some strangers connect to you without having said anything at all. I prefer talking to other female travelers or families. But I have rarely been approached by creepy men. Whenever I took help from guys, I usually did not have to regret it. India has a bad impression for very wrong reasons. Of course, you need to be alert but not scared. Traveling solo gave me the freedom to do what I want, move at my own pace. And reflect on my choices better.

Spontaneity Over Planning

We go for a vacation because we need to break after the monotonous routine. Just going from home to office and office to home can take a toll on us day upon day. So, I learned to be more spontaneous during my travel. Being a Type A person, I like things to be in my control. I can’t help but write down an itinerary and make checklists for packing. But hey, an itinerary can play the role of a loose guideline rather than a prison rule book.

Kindness Over Cynicism

We go on vacation to relax, to chill. Not to absorb the miseries and troubles of other people. But a little empathy goes a long way in being a better human being. We can’t help everyone but little acts of kindness leave an impression. I think of myself as an ambassador. In India, they look at me as a south Indian girl representing Chennai or Bangalore. Abroad, they look at me as this Indian chic. Either way, I am representing my city or country. And I need to leave a good impression as a kind and empathetic person.

Meeting people through your travels will teach you to give and to accept kindness. And it is your job to be open to invitations. Accept the advice from the locals, and accept kindness whenever you can.

If these lessons resonated with your memories of travel, don’t forget to send me a compliment by leaving a comment below. Please refer to WHO provided information for the latest on COVID 19 situation.

Please like, comment and subscribe to keep reading on.