As someone once said, traveling is the only experience you spend money on that makes you richer and that is definitely true. Going on a trip can be a life-changing experience, so if you’re looking to self-improve, packing your bag and booking a plane ticket could be a perfect way to grow and learn more about yourself. So, without further ado, here are some self-improvement vacations that you can take if you want to be a better person.
1. Traveling alone
That’s right, each of us needs to travel alone at least once in a lifetime. A lot of people are scared afraid of this because they think if they travel without a company, they’re more vulnerable. Even though that’s technically true, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try. At least book a short trip, a couple of days only and you don’t need to go too far to have a great experience. It might take you a while to make the decision, but once you decide, you should definitely give it a try. Of course, if you’re scared of getting robbed or used in any way, make sure to protect yourself and carefully research the place you’re traveling to. Solo-traveling can make you become more self-sufficient, and if you’re too introverted, you can learn to talk to people and be more outgoing. Nowadays there are so many hostels and other types of shared accommodation that you can use to meet new people and start friendships. Just remember to not trust people you’ve just met with your finances and personal documents.
2. Traveling with a partner
Now, when people are in a relationship, it’s expected for them to travel together, too. So how can traveling with a partner be connected to self-improvement? Well, first, you’ll learn more about your SO and the way your relationship works. Taking a trip together is one of the ultimate relationships tests since you’ll learn the way your partner behaves in a new setting, during the long waiting hours and communicating with people from a different culture. You can learn a lot about them by observing the way they treat hotel and airport staff or act during the unplanned circumstances (and let’s be honest, during the trips they happen frequently!) Besides, you’ll be able to see if your relationship has potential or not which will be a great pointer toward your further actions. You’ll learn whether it’s worthwhile to invest in a relationship, and you’ll also improve yourself in the process.
3. Go to a place you’ve never visited before
Preferably, that place should be abroad so you can get a chance to properly plan the trip. Going somewhere new can sometimes fill you with anxiety, but don’t worry, as there’s nothing you should be afraid of. Instead, embrace the adventure and let go off of the insecurities. Remember that the path to self-discovery and personal betterment can only come from taking risks from time to time. You’re a yoga enthusiast? Go that yoga retreat in India! You’ve always been obsessed with learning German? Book that ticket to Berlin, Munich or even Vienna. Don’t wait for things to happen to you — just make your own dreams come true! Nowadays, there are many places with affordable hotel specials so you don’t even need to worry about food and accommodation, which is a huge relief. In case you still prefer to travel with someone, you can find many like-minded people on travel forums and message boards and a lot of big cities have international pubs and bars where you can meet new people from all over the world.
4. Post-breakup vacation
Ugly breakups can shatter someone’s self-confidence, especially if it was initiated by the other party. So, instead of hooking up with a random stranger from Tinder, it’s much better to take a trip somewhere new where you can experience new things, try local food and connect with people who are different from you. Obviously, going on a trip can be costly, but luckily, there are many options that are suitable for any budget. You might be tempted to cut your hair short or get a tattoo, but honestly, traveling is a much better and rewarding experience. Being free from the burden of the past relationship, in a new interesting place can be much more beneficial to your mental health than coping with the breakup through excessive drinking and eating too much ice-cream. If you feel extra adventurous, you can go to the furthest place from where you are now and make sure to do all the things tourists do, and if possible, befriend locals to get a unique experience of the place you’re visiting. Soon, you’ll forget that you’ve ever been in a relationship, all thanks to traveling after the breakup of your relationship.
In conclusion, self-improvement take effort and some hard work, but traveling can be a nice extra thing to your journey to self-betterment. Learning new languages, talking to people from various backgrounds and cultures. Exploring new countries and cities and eating some food for the first time…all of that can help you grow as a person and learn more about your true potentials.