5 reasons I'm grateful for my travels

 Well hello to you reader chums! Travelling is my biggest passion in life; I love nothing more than jetting off on my next big adventure, experiencing new cultures, seeing new sights and meeting like-minded individuals. It fulfils my soul, it makes me happy and I'm raring to go to get back to my travel way of life.

Whether you're an active traveller like me or love to holiday often, here are 5 reasons why I'm grateful for my travels.

Train street hanoi vietnam

It's helped me grow as a person

I wouldn't say it's solely down to travelling for my growth as a person, however, if it wasn't for travelling, I wouldn't be the person I am today in any sense. Travelling gave me the confidence to visit new places without fear, the new experiences have opened my eyes and I've learnt I have the strength within myself for whatever I put my mind to.

Travelling has helped improve my anxiety, overcome personal hurdles and learn all about new people and places. It's educated me in so many different ways and given me more worldly knowledge which I can share with the people around me. All these factors have played their part in helping me flourish into a happier, healthier and more positive individual.

I've made the best ever memories

I'm one of those people that values time and experience than gifted possessions as the art of storytelling is such a powerful thing and something I adore. It means I have the power to share those stories with others I meet along the way or online through my blog, and books I've written.

By travelling to 20+ countries, it has given me the opportunity to create the best ever memories, either with my friends, family or strangers I've met along the way. And I've seen and experienced so many things I never thought would be possible. From meeting the elephants in Thailand, going to Broadway in New York, experiencing the heart of Italian culture (where my family are from), to temple hopping in Asia, eating street food in Vietnam to visiting some of the most incredible sights across Europe and finding hidden gems wherever I decide to roam.

The memories of all those counties and plenty of cities I've visited within them will stay with me forever. And, I know whenever I'm down, I can sit back and think about everything I've been able to do so far in my life - and scroll through the endless photos and videos. 

florence tuscany

I've overcome personal challenges

Travelling wasn't always an easy ball game. I used to have the biggest fear of flights, crowded places like airports and my anxiety was so bad I couldn't even leave my own house. However, taking the leap with my first two trips and falling in love with the beauty of travelling, I made a vouch to myself, to push myself with every single obstacle.

I can now fly freely without worry, my fear of heights has gotten a lot better, I kayaked on open water for the first time and have gotten better with my fear of water. I've improved with meeting new people and talking to strangers, and my confidence/anxiety in general in new places, doing new things and pushing myself out of my comfort zone has vastly improved. Without travel, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to grow in the way I have and would probably still be too terrified to enter a crowded space.

I've become a lot more open-minded about the world

This point is so important to make. I had a very sheltered and traditional upbringing in a lot of ways, and feel like I only actually learnt about the world and myself as I went into my twenties - and started to experience life in full force.

As I've travelled around, I've heard stories, I've experienced things but I've also educated myself a lot through blogs and books which have opened my mind in a lot of ways, and made me more of a worldly person. I sometimes don't recognise the way I used to be and think but at the time, it was all I knew. Now, after experiencing new cultures, meeting lots of different people and immersing myself in different experiences, I have a deeper understanding and empathy for others and have this active thought of wanting to change the world for the better.

I've caught the travel bug

As I said, I love nothing more than travelling and by doing it so often, I am pretty addicted to the whole process of planning my trips and heading off on a new adventure. In 2020 and 2021, it has been strange for me not to act on this hobby of mine as it's something I did as regularly as going to work. I was constantly planning and researching trips of envisioning where I next want to go. And then, I was also always on holiday or not at home at all.

The travel bug is truly a part of me and I cannot wait for the day when things are fully back to normal and I can jet off with freedom and have the opportunity again to visit new countries, eat street food and be at one with the world.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you most grateful for?

Thank you for reading <3

64 comments

  1. I love traveling. it opens up the mind, you see something new and your eyes are vigilant to lots of experiences. I miss traveling, going in flights and airports,

    ReplyDelete
  2. This was a great post Della - I'm sure you are the person we meet today thanks to this travelling bug of yours! We love reading all your posts, and we live through your travelling one especially since we're not allowed to do so yet :) To better days, when we can finally hit the road! x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amazing post! I also miss travelling and I can't wait to go when it's safe to again! I really want to go to broadway in New York because it seems amazing! It's good that travelling has helped you to grow and overcome challenges!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so excited to start travelling once we go back to normal! COVID put off our travel plans which is really unfortunate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! I hope all your future plans go ahead xx

      Delete
  5. That was so refreshing to read, I enjoyed your perspective on what travelling has brought you and reflection you've gone through. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is such a great read. Traveling is always a good thing! I am ready to start going places again!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Definitely travel makes you richer and widens your horizons.
    Awesome post..

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love travelling! Its the best thing in this life I think lol! I'm all for creating beautiful new memories and seeing new places around this world!

    xoxo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's so great that you overcame your fears of several things through traveling. So many people (including me) have a hard time facing their fears and living outside their comfort zone. Thank you for the inspiration! I need to travel again. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a sweet post, babe! Super grateful to travel as well and immerse myself in diff cultures! xx

    Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is such a lovely post. I'm grateful for being able to experience different cultures and see how other people live around the world.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This post is making me excellent about travelling again soon. I can not wait to see other cultures and try new things. Thank you for sharing.

    goalofhappiness.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Travelling really does do so much doesn't it? Just think of all those memories in years to come of all you have done, seen and experienced!

    Thanks for sharing :)
    Aimsy xoxo
    Aimsy’s Antics

    ReplyDelete
  14. I read "Travel is the only thing that make you richer" and in my personal case that is completely true. I also made best memories on travel.

    New Post - https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2021/04/guerlain-shalimar.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. I completely agree that you can only grow as a more rounded person when you broaden your horizons. Many of my current attitudes have been shaped by my travels, and the alternate perspectives I was exposed too. Travelling solo is also an incredible but deeply fulfilling challenge. Hopefully we can all explore more places soon!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is so lovely to read! Flying and airport anxiety is definitely what stops me from travelling more but so happy that you've overcome it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The travel bug has bitten me as well! I agree that you learn so much about a culture and a country when you visit. I’m happy it has helped you in your own mental health. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love that travel has had such an impact on you - I love travelling with our daughter now, it's so exciting to see everything through her eyes! x

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been very lucky to travel to some places. And I've definitely learnt and matured on each one. Seeing new cultures has been fascinating. I've been to places I'd never even dreamt I'd go. It helps me get perspective about my place in the world and how privileged I am in many ways. It's also been a challenge at times when travelling has been stressful or problems or fears presented themselves. But overcoming them was incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  20. You've been to so many places! You are lucky! I've done a fair bit of travelling. My favourite place was Australia - I wish it wasn't so far away but I was there for a month and that really changed my view of the world. They have a much more relaxed lifestyle. I love that!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, I feel very lucky! Aww that is amazing, I love that xx

      Delete
  21. I miss traveling so much... I would be traveling tomorrow for the first time in 16 months and I really can't wait, so excited!
    have a great week,
    S

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is such a lovely post! I haven't had the chance to travel yet due to age and money but after lockdown, I am ready to explore. It seems like you have learnt and experienced so much and I can't wait to do the same!
    Em x

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love this! Travel is amazing and its brought me some of my best memories, I can't wait to be able to get out and explore again!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lovely post, Della! I'm grateful for my mom and being healthy during this pandemic, really. With the current situation in India, I'll take what I can get. I'm grateful for having my blog which takes my mind off things, and being able to watch new shows on Netflix.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I wish your mum all the good health and sending my love to you x

      Delete
  25. Love this! The pandemic has made me realise how much I want to travel more. So I'm quite grateful for that! I'm already looking at a holiday in Greece for 2022. I wish I had travelled more early on x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!! Ooh Greece is amazing, I hope you enjoy it xx

      Delete
  26. Now in lockdown, I miss traveling so much. Your reasons are true --- when you go to a different place and engage in a culture that's so different from yours, it makes you think that you're only a small person and you have yet to learn. It's a humbling yet life-changing experience. Thanks for sharing!


    www.lifebeginsattwenty.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a great post. I miss travel so much! I love discovering hidden gems and having amazing adventures. Soon!

    Rosie

    ReplyDelete
  28. I couldn't agree more. My travels have taught me so much and helped me to be more empathetic. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I totally agree with you, I love travelling and I miss it so much! I hope we can get back to normality soon...

    Kisses,

    https://www.theartofpaloma.com/

    ReplyDelete
  30. I caught the travel bug before the pandemic started and I'm hoping to regain that back when things return to a bit of normality as I miss it so much! I loved reading this post Della! x

    Lucy | www.lucymary.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love travelling too & I used to be anxious about travelling alone, but now I have no problem taking the train or flying by myself.
    I also agree that I have some of my best memories from when I travelled!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you've managed to overcome that!

      Delete
  32. If being 'at one with the world' is not reason enough for me catch the travel back right here and now, what is? I love that line and freedom it fills me with.

    I have not travelled as much as I would like, but the trips I have taken have been both education and eye-opening as they have been adventurous and cherished.
    Thanks for sharing some of the things travel means to you!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for sharing, travelling has opened up me to, apart from being travel sick, going to a new place and exploring has made me happier and meet some great friends :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love travelling to different countries, there are so many beautiful things to see and so many cultures to learn about. Also, you can meet some fab friends when travelling too.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lovely post. I caught the travel bug too and can relate to so much of this, you really encapsulate what it means to experience different places, people, and cultures. I'm so glad travel has helped with your anxiety, and a massive well done on braving your first few flights to get to where you are now.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for reading my blog! I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful in anyway. I'd love to hear any feedback you may have.