Daily Dose of Design: The Importance of Traveling: Why We Cannot Be Afraid

Friday, August 11, 2017

The Importance of Traveling: Why We Cannot Be Afraid


Every time the news comes on, I shutter a little more with fear. As much as we don't like to talk about it or think about it, the world around us is scary. Plain and simple. Even right this moment with the imminent threat we face from overseas; it seems to get scarier by the day. No matter where your political views lie, this is way more than that. The situation we face today as a society is more than who you believe would do the best job with handling these situations. They're real, they're happening and they're scary. And by "they", I mean the terror threats and terrorism that shakes this world way more often than we'd ALL like to believe.


It's a sad reality that we have to question nearly every move we make; going to the mall, heading into the city for a fun night out, and traveling and experiencing everything this beautiful world has to offer.

For me, traveling and more specifically flying has been a fear of mine. I've never considered myself to have true travel anxiety, but my heart does skip a beat every time I sit down on a plane. I think it's a rational fear and one I'm not alone in, but the most important thing for me is that I never, ever have let it interfere with taking that trip or getting on that plane. That anxiety a lot of us fear about traveling, is the exact stigma that runs through our brains after every horrific news story we hear. Instead of being a nervous wreck when leaving your house, realize the strength we have not only as a society and country but as a world as a whole. If we stop doing things we, as wanderlusters, love and stop traveling, we're giving in. We cannot under any circumstances cower to the fear that's constantly in our minds. It sounds crazy, because how could we not worry? Here's why we shouldn't, and why we as lovers of new, worldly experiences should never stop exploring.

Upstanding citizens are in the majority.


No matter how much hate there seems to be worldwide, we - the good, positive people of this world - are the majority. Look at the way the world bands together after every one of these horrific attacks. After the most recent attack in Manchester, a group of super talented celebrities got together and put on a benefit concert, raising $13 million for the victims. After the Boston Marathon bombing, #BostonStrong came about and cities all over the U.S. banded together. After 9/11, the country came together as one to remember the victims and work through the pain as one. The hate subsides and the love is let in.

Jamaica, 2015

If we live how we want, we win.


Living in fear and never leaving the house is what they want. Deciding against taking that trip and enjoying our lives is what they want. As scary as the current events may be, we cannot let them win. We can't hide, we have to persevere and live the life we choose to set out on.

Fear is nothing more than a barrier that stands in the way of progression.


It's normal to be scared. Hell, I'm scared whenever I walk into an airport. It's normal, unfortunately. But the fear we have cannot stop us. The more we grow past this the more we'll grow. Fear cannot determine your destiny, only you can.


Traveling is the best form of education.


I'm a firm believer that you will learn more by traveling to any given destination, than you ever could or will in a classroom or from a textbook. I'm by no means saying learning in school isn't important, it totally is, but seeing things for yourself is the best history lesson, period. It also is best form of personal education. For personal growth, for meeting new people and for learning first hand about new cultures and lifestyles.

You can learn a new language by traveling, understand other cultures, live in current events, expand your social skills and become independent and most importantly, you learn a hell of a lot about yourself.

OneRepublic concert, 2017

Understand that statistically, you're not any less safe abroad than you are right this very moment.


Honestly, it's hard for me to even say that because it's something I have trouble grasping, too. But when you stop for a second and really think about it, what are the odds that in the exact moment and place you are that something will happen? There are truly more dangers we put ourselves in at home, in this country, than we could abroad. It's completely rational to be afraid if you ask me, but it can't stop us from planning trips and taking adventures. I often find myself saying "well I won't go to Paris right now" or, "we probably shouldn't go there yet" but I know that can't be how I think. I know that it's psychological, and I know that the fear we all have about traveling is the "what ifs", which is formulated in our minds. It becomes a game of probability and statistics, and I didn't do well in either in school, ha!

Comfort zones vanish once you travel the globe.


We all have certain places, people and things that create our comfort zones. However the barrier is broken when you begin to travel and set out on trips and adventures. Leaving your comfort zone is SCARY. It isn't easy and it's uncomfortable but once you do it, you feel like you can concur the world.

Italy, 2016

Get out there and travel, it's the best experience and makes for the best memories you can imagine. Don't let fear overcome your passion; our strength comes from doing the things we didn't believe we could.

XOXO -A

42 comments:

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  3. Great post! I completely agree. Although I sometimes feel nervous before trips, I realize that by and large people are wonderful, and I'm so thankful for all the cool experiences I've had abroad. I couldn't imagine giving that up out of fear.

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  4. You are so right! I always say.. Let's just go! My husband is always worried about the $$$ side of things, though!

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  5. Since I travel for a living, I try to remind myself that something can happen anywhere like you mentioned. Of course there is always uncertainty, but we just need to use our best judgement. I hope your post helps to encourage people to travel and do what they love!

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  6. This is a great post! I love the point that you make about traveling being the "best form of education." It's SO important to learn more about others and their culture. What a great reminder!

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  7. I agree with you, I'm more likely to be hit by a car crossing the street at home.

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  8. This is an excellent post & it's something that we've been talking about a lot with our kids lately - it's sad that they have to grow up in a world that seems so volatile, but I also don't want them living their lives in fear.

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  9. I couldn't agree with you more on this post! I try to explain these exact things to friends and family when I'm planning new travels!

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  10. There is so much of the world to see and explore...it would be such a shame to let fear stop us!

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  11. Completely agree with all of this! I had a fear of flying, only because none of the women in my family has gotten on a plane and traveled outside the state of Texas. It wasn't until I made the decision to go to China of all places, and after traveling this fear has subsided. I even almost convinced my mom to visit me in China and get on a plane. Hopefully she comes!

    Thanks for sharing this and encouraging us not to be afraid!

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  12. love this! It's definitely a little scary with where we are at in the world, but we have to walk through those fears!

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  13. What an amazing post! I have certainly felt the fear of traveling but I never wanted to let it hold me back because you're right, that's exactly what they want and I don't want the bad guys to win.

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  14. I so agree with this! Our world is so scary, and I know it's hard not to think about those things, but we all just need to sit back and enjoy what's in front of us :)

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  15. You made some wonderful points. It is important to remember, as you said, that if we don't live our lives the way we want to, they win.

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  16. Some great points! I love to travel and never want to be scared of fearful of doing something I love!

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  17. Traveling is so good for the soul! It can be scary with all the current events, but I appreciate your logic and encouragement to keep traveling.

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  18. This post really resonated with me! I just got back from a 6 week trip to Europe this summer and while I was in Paris I experienced a terrorist scare. Luckily no civilians were hurt, but it was still a pretty scary experience. I know that we can't live in fear and we need to continue to live our lives like you said!
    Thanks for sharing this.

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  19. I love this post, and could not agree with you more. Since deciding to make travel a priority in my life, I have never been happier. I have a ten day solo trip to Taiwan coming up in a couple weeks, and even though I'm a little nervous, I can't wait!

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  20. I always believe you have to travel and go where you want to explore!

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  21. I totally agree with all these things! I wouldn't take any of my traveling experiences back and I am honestly more comfortable abroad than I am here! Great tips!

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  22. I loved this post...such pearls of wisdom. I swear my travel anxiety as grown exponentially since becoming a mom and traveling with my little ones but I T R Y to my best to practice these mantras as well....especially Living How WE Want = Winning!

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  23. Thank you for this post. I have had so many family members and friends cancel trips because of terror threats or their worrying... We need to keep living life and promoting our happiness or they win.

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  24. I 100% agree with you! So many people have told me to not travel to certain places and that they have been canceling travel plans... But you know, we only live once so we need to enjoy the time we DO have.

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  25. The Paris attacks happened a few months before we were going there and it really scared my mom and she was considering not going but I said I refuse to live in fear and to stop doing the things I love just because something bad might/could happen. I could get hit by a car or my house could get robbed, too, but that's not going to stop me from living my life! It's definitely scarier now than it has been, but we can't let them win. I will not live in fear because life's too short to not live it to the fullest!

    xo, Sara

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  26. This is such a great post! I always get fearful before traveling, especially with everything going on lately, but I remember that anything can happen anywhere.

    Liz
    Www.lizzieinlace.com

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  27. I'm so glad you wrote this up. I constantly have this conversation with my mom, who gets frightened very easily at the idea of me traveling at all. However, I believe that seeing new places and meeting new people will only help me understand other individuals and cultures better so I can educate others and myself! Plus, there are so many amazing experiences that are waiting to be had if we just GO. Thank you thank you for sharing this!

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  28. I completely agree with this post. I honestly can't watch the news because it's all about fear and I'd rather live in a world where I am living!! Travel should be joyful, and it's sad that it has to be so scary for so many people these days

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  29. Totally agree with you. Travelling has become to be such a big part of my life right now and I always feel so grateful.

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  30. Its such a bummer that we have to feel scared when traveling. We had traveled to Nice just a month before the attack happened and it left us feeling soured and not wanting to return These are great examples this one definitely rang true to me, "Understand that statistically, you're not any less safe abroad than you are right this very moment."

    Birdie Shoots

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  31. This post just helped my anxiety about traveling so much! Great post

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  32. It's so easy to look at the news and be scared of traveling and stay in your safe bubble. But it's so much more rewarding to get out and see the world!

    Megan | www.pipmegan.com

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  33. I definitely agree with you. Traveling is a great education. I've visited so many places and have learned so much!

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  34. Amen to this. I'm going abroad next week and I need to remember this!!

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  35. I totally agree with this! Traveling is so important and beneficial. While there is some risk that comes with traveling, I read about strange accidents in my own city all the time. I don't want fear to stop me from exploring the world. :)

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  36. Loved this post! After our honeymoon, my husband and I have decided to start traveling more. The memories that we make are so worth it!

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