If nothing else, the Oscar Award-winning movie, Green Book, has helped to illuminate how far Black people have come in terms of having access to unrestricted travel. For centuries, we were regulated by systems and societal rules that governed who could travel where and how.
In fact, many of the most important historical landmarks have revolved around various forms of travel limitations. From Dred Scott vs Sandford and Plessy vs Ferguson to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, mobility and unrestricted movement have not always been viable options for us.
Thankfully, as times have progressed, so have the means in which we travel and the reasons why. Whether it is for work, to visit family and/or for leisure and/or vacation, the sky is literally the limit (if you have the imagination and the resources).
You May Also Like
Therefore, many of us are taking full advantage of opportunities to explore and experience new countries, new cultures, and even new languages. In many ways, travel is a conduit for staying connected in a global and ever-changing society.
Yet, there are still many of us who are not taking full advantage of it. Yes, travel requires money. Yes, travel requires time. Yes, travel requires organizing and planning. In other words, travel, especially international travel, requires work. But the outcomes can be far more meaningful and valuable than one could imagine.
As such, I highly recommend that every adult should have a wanderlust (defined simply as a strong desire to travel) list and here’s why:
You May Also Like
Travel Helps to Broaden Our Worldviews
If you have ever found yourself in a foreign land where the majority of people do not speak your language, do not eat the same food staples, and do not adhere to the same religious practices then you know what it is like to experience the world through a different set of lenses.
Often, our worldviews are shaped and informed by our own experiences and cultural beliefs, no matter how limited or broad. The beauty of travel is that it can lead to a more inclusive way of seeing the world, including the ability to empathize with others.
Travel Helps Us to Recharge
Burnout is real, especially for those of us who have fast-paced jobs and/or demanding home/life responsibilities. As much as I love traveling in the contiguous US, recharging can take on a whole new meaning when you find yourself on a safari in South Africa, in a vineyard in Melbourne, throwing a coin in Tevi Fountain, or whale watching in Maui.
The point is that we all need a change of scenery at some point. By considering travel as a way to get plugged back in and rebooted, you are opening yourself up to an entirely different definition of what it means to recharge.
Travel Teaches Us How to Commune and Communicate with Others
I remember when I first traveled to Nice and the French Riviera region. I did not speak any French. Yet, even with language as a potential barrier, I learned how to communicate and navigate the area for the week that we were there.
I picked up a few French words, learned how to gesture politely, and relied upon my Francophone peers to define critical words and phrases. Although this was not the ideal scenario, it did help to reinforce the power of our common humanity to bring us together when language was not a natural bridge.
Travel Challenges Us to Embrace the Unknown
One thing that travel will force you to do is step outside of that which is familiar. Whether it is trying a new dish, shopping in an open-air market, bartering for a ‘taxi’ ride, or interacting with indigenous wildlife, when you step into a world that is unknown, you can’t help but to leave with a greater understanding of just how majestic the world is.
Travel Helps Us Set Broader Goals
Complacency and comfort can be detrimental to accomplishing any goal. Once you truly begin to create and complete your wanderlust list, you will realize just how tenacious you really are. You will probably start establishing even more complex and diverse goals that extend beyond travel.
World travel, in particular, has a way of reminding us that too often we set our goals too low. Raise the bar and you will be amazed by how far you can and will go!
As you can see, having a wanderlust list is not just about going to a warm spot in the middle of winter; it is about self-discovery, self-development and personal growth.
If you are not sure how to come up with a list or where to travel to, start by connecting with like-minded people who are paving the way and sharing valuable information as they go. One of my favorite public groups for making such connections can be found on Facebook: Road to 100 Countries. Ronnie Dunston and his wife Sheba have done a marvelous job of creating and cultivating a virtual culture and community that celebrates travel and inspires others, from beginners to seasoned pros, to share their insight and experiences.
So, whether you’ve been to one continent or all seven, your wanderlust list can literally take you beyond your wildest imagination.
Safe travels!
Tyra Seldon, Ph.D. is a former English professor turned writer, editor and small business owner. Passionate about the English language and the craft of storytelling, she launched Seldon Writing Group, LLC in 2011. Dr. Seldon has worked with education tech companies, celebrities, aspiring writers, entrepreneurs, media outlets, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies to develop their written content. When she’s not writing, she’s traveling the world, one continent at a time. She can be reached at [email protected]
FB: @seldonwriting
IG: @tyraseldon
