Why I Travel How I Travel

The word travel means something different for everyone. For some, it means going on a vacation for a week to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean. For others, it means visiting the city they've always dreamt of visiting since they were a kid. Nonetheless, for most people, travel usually means an escape from their day-to-day life.

For me, at this stage of my life, travel is more than just something I do as an escape from my lifestyle. It is part of my lifestyle.

When I'm away from home, people usually ask me how my vacation is going. But I always have to remind them that I'm not on vacation. I am living in another country just like how I would live in my own country. The aspects that are obviously different are the language, culture, not being around my family and friends, and a totally different environment.

Of course, having an online income makes this possible. You can't live in a different country for a month or 6 months if you don't have the location freedom with your work.

Because my work is online, I have to be extra disciplined. Routines and habits are important to me. If I'm on “vacation,” my habits fly out the window. Im in vacation mode. But when I'm living in a different country, I go about my usual routines during the week and leave the tourist activities for the weekend.

This sometimes ends up being my favourite part of travelling to a specific city. I find joy in the little things. Going to the nearby coffee shop, the walk to the gym, picking the lunch spot for the day.

When you are doing these things in your hometown, it’s just another day. But when you are doing them in a completely foreign place, you become present and your days become a lot more enjoyable. Just that feeling of doing your routine somewhere new is rewarding in itself.

Another reason why I like to travel long-term is to really feel a place out. Most of the time when people go on a vacation somewhere, it’s usually for a week or less. They end up seeing all the tourist attractions and the main things to do in that city, but you don't get to feel out the vibe in a deeper way.

Yes, you go from not knowing anything about a place to being familiar with it. But it’s not the same as hunkering down for at least a month, getting a gym membership at one of the local gyms, going to the local places that tourists don't usually visit, meeting locals and developing relationships with them. You start understanding the perspective of the locals who live there and formulate a more accurate view of the city. You deeply infuse yourself into the culture.

I’ve been fortunate to have friends that have the same mindset as me so I don't always venture out solo. Travelling with your friends minimizes the downsides and being uncomfortable in a new place. But I've experienced solo travel and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

The resistance to stepping outside your comfort zone is counterproductive. Personal growth lies in your ability to step outside your comfort zone. Living in a new city all by yourself forces you to talk to strangers and do things you would never do back home.

This has taught me to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Humans are hard-wired to resist uncertainty. They feel uneasy when they are uncertain. Pushing my boundaries makes me embrace the uncertainty I feel. It's almost like a rush going through my body when Im feeling uncertain. It gives me confidence that I am about to have some of the best experiences of my life.

Travelling like this isn't always fun and games. In the same way you have those up days you will also have down days. Especially if you travel solo, you will experience feelings of loneliness. You are not around your family, friends and the usual life you've grown accustomed to. However, the ability to embrace being alone in a whole new country is part of the experience.

Those times of difficulty is when you make leaps in your personal growth. Where you have the biggest paradigm shifts. You learn to become independent. All your attachments unfold right in front of you. You become aware of who you really are. Face that shit head-on and decide that it will not dictate the outcome of your experience. This is all part of the adventure. Enjoy the struggle as well.

People tell me Im lucky for being able to do this all the time. That's fair and I don't resent anyone for telling me that. In today's day and age, it's not hard to put your head down and learn an online skill in 6-12 months. Once you are able to generate income online, the world is your oyster.

Most people say they want to travel long-term but it’s not cut out for everyone. They want to do it but in reality, they can't. Solo travelling is entirely something different. It takes courage and independence to do it. You want to do it and you definitely can, you are just not willing to. You are too comfortable in your comfort zone and afraid to step out of it.

But I hope that one day you say fuck it and book that one-way flight. Do something new. Embrace the uncertainty. Push your boundaries. Experience the highs and lows. Make new friends. Learn a new language. This is the time to do it. We are in our 20s only once.