this was written in partial fulfilment of a work objective. but hey, none the less true for all that.: )
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i would choose getting lost over getting a new pair of shoes.
okay, so technically i'd rather not get lost at sea, or the desert (once is enough), or when running late for a taylor swift concert. it might also depend on the shoes in question. i guess my point is just, more often than not, i would choose experiences–and the stories that come with them–over things that depreciate over time.
and this is why i love to travel.
over the past decade, i’ve learned that traveling is a gateway to amazing experiences i wouldn’t have had if i had stayed home and browsed for shoes online. sure, a lot of these were mishaps–such as tripping an alarm at a bus station in kyoto, running slapdash across the airport to make it to my flight (a feat impossible to do gracefully but oh the adrenaline!), and getting rescued from a lahar desert after twelve hours of trekking. but these were also what shaped and helped me become (at least i hope) a better version of myself. they’ve forced me to stretch my limits in all sorts of uncomfortable, often funny, and always gratifying ways, and in stretching have made my soul grow.
three insights I’ve gained from traveling:
1. the world is big and wonderful. traveling showed me my place in the world and how small i am in comparison. i’ve learned why it’s important to ask questions, and not only for directions when you’re already going around in circles. questions like–
3. while traveling often takes me out of my comfort zone, it’s equally an inward journey. it’s constantly teaching me what i’m able and willing to do when the going gets tough, how much patience i actually have for friends, how to adapt to things i can’t change, and to remain hopeful and excited for what’s yet to come–basically, important things about who i am and who i still want to be.
so if you’re afraid to travel because you’ve watched too many reruns of titanic or final destination, scared of being misunderstood and looking foolish, or anxious about a future with no retirement money–don’t be. be scared instead of an untraveled life because there is so much of the world to see and yourself to know.
and it all starts with going forth and getting lost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i would choose getting lost over getting a new pair of shoes.
okay, so technically i'd rather not get lost at sea, or the desert (once is enough), or when running late for a taylor swift concert. it might also depend on the shoes in question. i guess my point is just, more often than not, i would choose experiences–and the stories that come with them–over things that depreciate over time.
and this is why i love to travel.
over the past decade, i’ve learned that traveling is a gateway to amazing experiences i wouldn’t have had if i had stayed home and browsed for shoes online. sure, a lot of these were mishaps–such as tripping an alarm at a bus station in kyoto, running slapdash across the airport to make it to my flight (a feat impossible to do gracefully but oh the adrenaline!), and getting rescued from a lahar desert after twelve hours of trekking. but these were also what shaped and helped me become (at least i hope) a better version of myself. they’ve forced me to stretch my limits in all sorts of uncomfortable, often funny, and always gratifying ways, and in stretching have made my soul grow.
three insights I’ve gained from traveling:
1. the world is big and wonderful. traveling showed me my place in the world and how small i am in comparison. i’ve learned why it’s important to ask questions, and not only for directions when you’re already going around in circles. questions like–
- how did south koreans develop their amazing design sensibility?
- why is vietnamese street food so darn good?
- what secrets lie behind the angkor wat?
- how did singaporeans get it so right?
- does life ever stop in hong kong?
- will you just take all my money, japan?
- why isn’t it like this in manila?
- why can’t it be like this in manila?
- what can i do to make it like this in manila?
3. while traveling often takes me out of my comfort zone, it’s equally an inward journey. it’s constantly teaching me what i’m able and willing to do when the going gets tough, how much patience i actually have for friends, how to adapt to things i can’t change, and to remain hopeful and excited for what’s yet to come–basically, important things about who i am and who i still want to be.
so if you’re afraid to travel because you’ve watched too many reruns of titanic or final destination, scared of being misunderstood and looking foolish, or anxious about a future with no retirement money–don’t be. be scared instead of an untraveled life because there is so much of the world to see and yourself to know.
and it all starts with going forth and getting lost.
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