I love to travel. I mean really love. I love the departing, the arriving, and the discovery of a new place away from my present. And all this got me thinking about why we travel. I mean why DO we travel?
Until now it’s always been when, how, where, but never a question of why.
Of course there is a natural discourse of reasoning; the beauty, the culture, the fun but one of my initial memories of why I travelled was in fact escapism.
Something I believe many can attest to but not as many may admit.
We often overrun our lives concerned with the way we can measure success and calculate our achievements. Living day in, day out the way we should be but not necessarily the way we want to be. In this process of building a life portfolio filled with the right careers, the perfect car and the right friends, we lose sight of the fact that all we simply need is love, happiness and time.
And this is why I travel.
First, to lose myself. Forget the hamster wheel that is life and allow time to re-establish and re-inspire my wants and needs. When we travel, we are living the way we want to be and not the way we should be.
As we travel, our roles and titles become obsolete and more importantly less significant in contributing to who you are and how you act on the road. We become equals. We are not lawyers; we are not doctors, bankers or dentists. Instead we are out of our comfort zones as guests watching the routines of the locals.
As I watch from the other side of the world, what was seemingly big and unfathomable back home somehow became significantly small and trifling. Travel is the most humbling acts of all.
Admittedly, travel does not solve our problems and they are still there to greet you as you return home but travel has a two-fold effect. Firstly as a distraction and secondly as a vessel for learning how to manage the negative situations we often try to run from.
Through this escapism I was able to teach myself the tools I needed and build character that would let me manage my reality. We become equipped with knowledge of the world that then allows us to develop coping mechanisms for our own realities.
Now, when I travel it is no longer to escape but rather to grow, learn and recharge the batteries. Coming home is no longer a burden or something I would bury my head in the sand about. I don’t spend my time trying to escape my present but rather appreciate it.
Now, when I travel it is no longer to escape but rather to grow, learn and recharge the batteries. Coming home is no longer a burden or something I would bury my head in the sand about. I don’t spend my time trying to escape my present but rather appreciate it.
Herstory is a weekly column on women and travel by Steph Ridhalgh. Steph is a Sydney born; New York based television producer and travel blogger. Not one for being quiet for too long she simply loves talking about travel and lifestyle.
Steph is the founder of STEP(h) ABROAD, a travel and lifestyle resource for those who love to be in the know and know how.
Connect with her on the web, Facebook and Twitter.
