2016 has been a year of travel for me. I have been to places I’ve never seen before. Also, on the way, I have made so many new friends and clicked so many pictures. It’s been an awesome journey.
All these journeys have taught me many things about life and myself. So here are 10 things I have learned this year from my travel excursions.
1. Enjoy and live in the moment
You have got to enjoy each moment as it comes. There is something new and worthwhile happening in every minute of your life; and you’ve got to cherish it. Even the difficult times are special as they make you stronger and wiser.
2. The world is beautiful
We keep complaining that our life is boring, we are tired or we have no friends. Travel teaches you that the world is too big for your worries. Everything around you has beauty – the trees, birds, flowers, animals, everything. Even the buildings, bridges, churches, temples, make you feel that life is beautiful. There are so many things to do and so many places to see. Life cannot be boring.
3. Don’t take anything for granted
Sometimes, while travelling, we don’t get the basic amenities we are always used to. Once I had to spend the entire night at a railway station’s waiting room. That made me realise the importance of having a comfortable bed for the night – something I always took for granted and was never grateful for. Now I know the importance of having these little things in life like food on the table, sleep on a bed, washing my hands with clean water, and so on.
4. Take risks
Travel has made me do things I could not even imagine doing. It has made me step out of my comfort zone and face my fears. e.g. Going alone on a roller-coaster, climbing a hill in the rains, and living with a bunch of strangers. But you’ve got to go for it; it’s the only way to grow and stay strong.
5. Making new friends is easy
You meet so many new people while travelling. They become your friends and you cherish the memories you make together. All my life I was told to be careful while talking to strangers. But I have made so many new friends in strangers. I’m sure we’ll meet again and stay in touch.
6. Pamper yourself
While travelling, your comfort should come first. We travel to enjoy and relax our minds. Travelling should not leave you tired or rue the day you booked your tickets. If you have to spend a little more to enjoy or upgrade an experience, don’t hesitate. e.g. I went to Gangtok by train but found the journey tiresome and uncomfortable. So for coming back home, I booked an air ticket and cancelled my train ticket. While travelling, don’t go with anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Same goes for life! 🙂
7. Express and love yourself
Feeling happy after that boat ride? Scream’YEAH!’. I go crazy while travelling. You’ll find me jumping around all over the place laughing my heart out! It feels great to let your feelings out. Even if you are sad or angry, let it out. Express yourself and let everyone see that crazy, eccentric, imperfect, and magical you!
8. Go with the flow
We plan a lot of things but life is unpredictable. Sometimes the best trips are made when our plans go topsy-turvy. You need to take things as they come and enjoy every moment. Because you never know if you’ll ever come back to the place again. Of course, you plan your trip but if something comes unexpected, don’t miss the fun of it.
9. Always stay humble and kind
Travel makes you understand how people in different places live a very different life. People come in all shapes and sizes, but our hearts beat as one. You start respecting other cultures and learn so many new things. You realise that the sea is so vast and your boat is so small.
10. Stop procrastinating
You will never be in this place and in this moment ever again in your life. So if you want to do something, the best time is NOW. Stop making excuses and begin! I always wanted to write a blog, go travelling, click pictures, and spend time with my friends; but didn’t have the confidence. Travelling has given me the confidence to face the world just the way I am.
I hope you get to travel the world! Life is too short and the world is too big. So pack a bag; say ‘Goodbye’.
YOUTUBER | PHOTOGRAPHER | DESIGNER 
Great list! Go with the flow is definitely truer now that I have a child! We rarely plan things ahead of time and just go with the flow. It makes the experience much more enjoyable for all of us.
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Thank you Milana :1
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One of my favorite things about travel is also that it has taught me to take risks. It pushes me outside of my comfort zone almost more than anything else!
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Thank you Bethany :1
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I have made so many friends while traveling too! I feel like it is easier to make a connection with someone when traveling, maybe because you are both going through the same situation and you both love to travel! I’m not sure, but some of my best friends were made when traveling. I also prefer to make friends while traveling because then you can visit each other later!
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Thank you :1
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Totally agree! Travel makes us better people!
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Thank you Rajni :1
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Those are wonderful lesson! I need to work on my number 4. TAKE RISKS tho 😀 Ive been wanted take a helicopter ride every time I travel but I am too afraid 😀 And making friends is definitely one of the best part of travelling !
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Thank you :1
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Love this list! Traveling has definitely kept me humble when I’ve made dumb mistakes haha! One of the best things about traveling is definitely making new friends!
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Thank you Emily :1
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Great List! Love it all! Travel has taught me more in life than anything else! It’s so amazing!
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Thank you :1
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My favorite is Go with the Flow. Sometime we tend to over plan our travel to minutest details and get upset when it doesn’t happen as per plans. This is great post Sonika. Keep it up.
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Thank you Ketki :1
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SOME GREAT POINTS. I love the STAY HUMBLE point, and the reminder to ENJOY THE MOMENT. We have to be present and not so worried about the rest of the things happening in the past or the future or the social media. Be in the moment and show Gratitude
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Thank you Ariana :1
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I agree with every single point on the list! Especially the last one. Sometimes traveling and working in the same time can be so complicated! We decided to quit our jobs and been on the road since february 2016, so at times it can get really difficult to focus on work & working!
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Thank you! That’s so cool. You are following your passion. All the best!
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