Well, as I packed another bag for the most awaited vacation of the year; I was feeling quite heady and anxious at the same time. I was quite in a hurry to grab all the necessities and fit them in a suitcase that was already bursting at its seams. Amidst all the din of the traffic, my roommate hollered high above the increasing sounds, “You always seem to be packing off somewhere! Why do you travel so much? Does the thought of being in one place terrify you?”

To this, I smiled. And, then I decided that I certainly need to spell this out for her. The reasons why we travel are as diverse as per each individual. We might travel to discover ourselves. “Ourselves? You’re kidding! I thought it was about the destination,” my roommate would have said.

We travel to lose ourselves…

And we travel to find our life back again. We travel because of our experiences that teach us so much about our own attitude and the way we react to things. The beauty of finding different things about your temperament whilst on a journey is something that needs to be experienced at least once. We travel to fill in the void amongst us, a void if left untouched, may affect our day-to-day proceedings. Our thinking broadens when we travel and our dreams extend beyond horizons. We not only overcome our fears, we are also open to go off the beaten track.

We travel to educate ourselves…

Any vacation is incomplete if we only soak in the sun and turn a blind eye towards learning. If you have a keen sense of observation, it will bring you closer to learning the history, geography, or even the economy of your new destination. Treat this like an exciting educational class that comes with fascinating scenes, and interesting groups of people who will teach you much more than the traditional walls of an institute. All you need is an open mind.

We travel to escape…

At times, we travel only to escape. While many would raise their eyebrows and shun this as an escapist attitude, genuine travelers would know the solace it brings. Travel brings about a change in our routine; it gives us the much-needed break from the daily humdrum of life. We shed our masks to live free-spirited in a different location where no one knows us. We try new cuisines, meet people, discover breathtaking locations, and enjoy the essence of living in the moment. Vacations rejuvenate us leaving a new sense of purpose and the joy of doing this all over again. We all need the rest, the excitement and indulgence to fill our lives with ideas and inspirations.

We travel to develop new viewpoints…

Ever felt you’ve been in one place for too long? Sometimes, we stick around to the same routines, and harbor the same thoughts, opinions, and ideas about life. And, then we wonder why we are stuck at the same place, doing the same thing, for a good number of years. Taking a vacation and seeing the world brings you in close contact with different ideas, and diverse viewpoints. There are so many cultures, languages, and cuisines. Once you travel, you’ll suddenly find your perspective towards life broadening, opportunities opening up, and even find solace in what you do. It brings you up close to reality, far away from your cushioned and perfect world.

We travel to fill in the gaps…

While it’s great to be immersed in work, and following your passion, we all know there are some gaps to be filled. Sometimes, we need to escape for solitude. Sometimes, for an adventure! A vacation could mean different things to different people. Challenging yourself to new things helps you to fill in the gaps and go around aimlessly, enjoying being in the moment rather than the constant worry of tomorrow. No matter how much life tries us, traveling will make us fall in love with life all over again.

Be it a vacation, group holiday, or just a solo trip to rediscover ourselves, we can’t deny that we all have an inherent desire for experiences, beyond our imagination. All it needs is a nudge in the right direction.

What are your travel plans for this December? Do leave your comments below.