Has Traveling Changed You?

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by Michael Tieso on July 31, 2009

Traveling can be an eye opener. Set out to distant lands with very little material goods. Your mind forces you to be social interacting with total strangers. You may have not said Thank You so many times in one day let alone in a different language. Common sense and your natural instincts are used much more often since you don’t have anyone by your shoulder (Mom? Dad?) telling you right from wrong. Ordering food can at times become a mission. Having patience is key to surviving all situations. If you’re traveling solo, there’s no one to complain to and you just simply move forward. Traveling makes you use a part of your brain that wasn’t used at home.

I’m traveling at the moment and I’m not sure if I’ve changed or not. What defiantly has changed though is a bigger smile everyday.

backpacker1.jpg image by ngorangina

Has traveling changed you? If so, how? For the better or worse? While material goods are not as important while traveling, do you still feel the same when you returned home?

Related posts:

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  2. Come Travel With Me!
  3. 7 Things You Do Backpacking That You Should Do At Home
  4. Attitude Determines Attitude
  5. Books to Read While Traveling

Tagged as: Motivation, Tips / Planning

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Author: Michael Tieso

Michael Tieso started Art Of Backpacking with a vision of sharing cultural knowledge. As a backpacker, he is always on the move. He’s music obsession started at 11 years old and continues as a DJ.

See all posts by Michael Tieso (72 articles)

  • Great post. One point that is crucial here is the fact that we leave with limited material goods. this peace of mind is, for many, only attained while travelling.
    Thailand here I come!
  • I know that travel has definitely changed me for the better in a myriad of ways. The most noticeable is that it has made me a lot bolder. I used to be a fairly shy quiet person, but leaving my comfort zone really forced me to become friendlier and put myself out there.

    In some ways I think backpacking is a crash course in developing a personality.
  • Hey!

    How's it going? I'm itching to hit the road again at the moment!

    I think it definately changes you... you may not notice it but it's always going to have an effect.

    I think I've become much more relaxed and chilled out. Probably a little too much at times. This probably comes from waiting for trains/buses etc having thousands of set backs and delays.... when you are on the road you just don't get stressed by it after a while.

    I also think it gives you a worldly view on everything. I just want to tell everyone to leave their home towns, go out and experience. I understand that not everyone wants to and they are pretty happy doing their normal day to day lives. Sometimes I feel it's a shame.

    Where abouts are you traveling at the moment?

    Thanks,
  • I agree. I have most definitely became more chilled out. I try to inspire as many people as possible to travel this way as well. At the moment I'm in Thailand and then going to Malaysia next week. Everything is open ended so I have no idea after that. ;)
  • Quentina
    hi there~ I found your site in twitter, and quite interested in this topic ;)
    I have just finished my life experiencing in UK, and after the past 2 yrs, travelling does change me, in a way that how I look into this world, how life could be when you are all alone by yourself. It's really a great experiences!
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