So I know I'm not really legitimately on my twenties yet, but I made a list of the few reasons why you need to travel during your twenties (or earlier, like me. Haha). While many young people decide to travel right after college or in their early twenties, there are countless reasons why travelling a few years down the line is beneficial and satisfying.
1. More time, less responsibilities.
You don't have a lot of responsibilities. While in your twenties, you likely do not have a family to support or a house and car loans to worry about. Don't worry about your career as well. Ignore the Filipino mentality that if you don't start to build your career now, you will forever be left behind by your friends or batch mates. To start off, you shouldn't compare yourself to anyone. Second, your career can wait. Travelling can actually open up new career paths. If you decide to turn travel into a lifestyle, then you can even build a career through travelling.
2. You have the energy
Picture out yourself after 30 years. Can you imagine your retired self trekking Mount Apo, or crawling through the tiny holes of Sumaguing cave in Sagada, or jumping off from the cliff of Medellin? Do you think you can still be able to carry a 20 kilo backpack when you already have arthritis or back pains? Will you still enjoy surfing the waves of Siargao when you already have car loans and mortgage to think about? I'm not trying to imply that we cannot do these activities when we grow old but apparently we won't have the same energy and stamina when we reach such age. Age affects us all. So make the most out of your youth while you still have it!
3. Meet new people and new cultures.
We all grew up with certain preconceived notions about national stereotypes. It is the result of our education, religious views, racial origin, family upbringings, etc.. This stereotyping can turn into prejudice, which is treacherous. Travelling to other places will soon dispel those notions when you meet people and their culture. It can broaden up your mind. You see, feel, meet and experience things that may seem impossible in your hometown.
4. Feed your soul
Watch how the sun rises over the mountains or set over through a sprawling city. Eat something you've never heard of. Unplug yourself from all devices and enjoy what life has to offer.
5. You will learn a lot about yourself.
You will get to know yourself better. Travelling, most especially when you're in solo means you are no longer able to rely on the comforts of home. A lot of things whether good or bad happens when you travel. You will find yourself in situations you've never expected, you'll learn what drives you nuts and what you can handle. It will test out your patience. You may think you know yourself, but you have no idea.
6. Opens the boundary of your comfort zone.
When you travel, you meet people who will change your perspective on life and how you should lead your own. You will realize there are a lot of things more important than money. Travel widens your horizons in every sense of the world. Trying out and experimenting with exotic cuisines, seeing new and undiscovered locations, beautiful crafts to add to your personal development and education.
7. Learn how to budget and be independent
While during high school and college, you probably already had some experience with budgeting your allowance from your parents, but when you start travelling, you will experience budgeting on a whole new level. You will start to track all you expenses from your paper bills to your coins. You will even learn how to haggle, and eventually become cautious and thrifty!
8. You deserve to be happy
Enough said. No need to justify with more explanations.
Travelling experience is more satisfying than what material things can give you.So, get out there! Book a ticket, climb a mountain, dive into the ocean, anything you desire, go for it! The longer you wait, the more things you will miss. Take a risk, leave everything behind and explore the world. Know that everything you leave behind will still be there if you choose to come back.
