Travel is an inevitable part of contemporary youth culture - instagram is swamped with travel inspiration photos and in your facebook or blogger feed there is probably at least one update on a travelling friend's adventures. So now you're thinking of taking a break from real life and jump on a plane with nothing but a backpack and lonely planet guide?
Why just think about it, when you could just do it?
"Why, yes. But what if...."
What if not?
Do you really want to die without having seen the beaches in Hawaii or the desert in Mexico? Can you really live a life where work and responsibilities reign your daily routine, where that is all you know and do, where you sneakily drool over your coll friend's travel photos? She rode a muthafuckin Elephant in India and all you ride is your super lame fixie bike and asshole boyfriend. Seriously, just book the damn ticket.
"Yeah, but what do I gain from it, except a few nice photos and an empty savings account..?"
Dude!!!! It's the memories you will have for your whole life! Nothing lasts that long, not your car, job, health and probably not your relationship. Your memories though, they stay with you and influence everything you will do and say in the future.
Travel is like a refreshing drink on a super hot summer day - just for your soul! It opens up your mind and lets your spirit grow from all the new, exciting adventures you come across daily. You're at the beach relaxing one day, next day you visit great cities with breathtaking architecture, the day after you are climbing the Alps or diving in the Amazone. No matter what destination you choose, you are guaranteed to learn something new. And you are guaranteed to meet awesome people on the way. Go on, have an animating conversation. Or a hook up. Whatever you feel like. Make those memories!
"But my buddies at home are already awesome enough for me and I really enjoy going out to the same pub every second night and what if noone loves me anymore when I return..."
You can only grow so much in one environment - there is a limit to experiences you can have in it, a limit to the places you can visit and cultures you can explore. Imagine what type of person you could become, if you saw something different and spoke to someone different every day? We all have met at least one person we thought was mindblowingly cool, someone we thought was leading the ultimate life. It's likely that somebody crosses your travel paths every day when you're exploring. And eventually you're going to turn into that badass yourself, On my travels I meet so many different types of people. Some I disliked, most of them I liked but that's not the point. The point is all of them taught me something about myself. About the person I want to become, the things I want to achieve. They taught me a step of the way to finding my very own happiness.
"Uhm yeah..but..."
But WHAT????
Don't tell me you're still in doubt about money/job/what happenes back home while you're away?
Well, if the former hasn't convinced you yet, what about this little list below?
"Yeah, man. I like lists, they're structured and stuff..."
Ugh...
Here are 5 nerdy and awesome reasons a location change is totally worth the risks:
1) YOU WILL BE AWESOME AT SMALL TALK
Nothing will train you better in small talk than staying in a hostel full of strangers mixed with subtle loneliness and a strong urge to mix and mingle. You will be a little awkward at first, but after a week or two the 'So where are you froms" and "Where have you been to so fars" will come out flying. And when you're back in the real world, you'll be smooth talking your way through the likes of interviews and first dates alike.
2) CHICKS/GUYS WILL DIG YOU
Yeah, it's the truth. Potential mating partners will swarm around you, wanting to hear your stories and experience possible exotic love techniques you might have picked up along the way (or not, not really a criteria). You're interesting and you're full of awesome adventures to tell. So yeah, travelling the world increases your hotness by about 10000 %
3) IT WILL LOOK GOOD ON YOUR RESUME
It'll make you stand out from the crowd. Throw in a little volunteering and you're sweet as.
4) YOU CAN SHOW YOUR KIDS HOW AWESOME YOU ARE
If they ark up and call you a boring loser just show them the photo that hot Italian guy took of you at Santa Monica beach. That'll shut them up.
5) YOU HAVE SOMEWHERE TO CRASH. IN EVERY COUNTRY.
It's like owning lots of real estate around the globe, except you don't have to be rich or worry about taxes. Sweet deal.
So come on now. Put on your big girl pants. Book yerself a ticket and conquer the world!