Why traveling shapes our personality?

Traveling, and I’m not talking about going into an all inclusive, is getting out of our comfort zone and learning to appreciate the change of scenery. No one returns quite the same after a trip; our uncommon experiences, the unforgettable moments we have lived, the different rhythm of life, the people we have met. All this transforms us little by little. And the more we travel, the more we grow on a personal level.

A globetrotter knows how to captivate us, he knows how to tell stories and to listen. Moreover, he loves adventure and pushes his limits. He has an open, creative and open mind. He knows how to cope with unusual situations and to manage his stress. His constant exploration of the world makes him a curious, courageous, flexible, communicative, accessible, enlightened person who has a thirst for endless learning.

Here are examples that emphasize my points:

• We always have something to tell

Traveling all over the world brings a share of more or less happy experiences. Speaking with someone who traveled often will never be boring, always have the inspiration to tell his latest story. First, he tells stories about its ascent of the Machu Picchu at the risk of his life. Second, his excursion in the Amazonian jungle in search of a lost tribe in the middle of the night with a mini headlamp. Third, being robbed in Barcelona, everybody will be impressed and have only one desire, to be a part of the next adventure.

• We develop a good listening

We like telling our stories, but we also know how to listen carefully and pay attention. With a dose of curiosity and empathy, you can communicate with the locals, an essential skill to understand their customs, the peculiarities of the country. You can avoid to makes a mistake. Also, we must absorb and retain everything to tell our trips, so we learn while traveling.

• We are an open mind

We understand that it is necessary to leave the big cities and the tourist area to extend our horizons. Otherwise, we will not have the opportunity to discover the culture of the visited country. Asking the locals the places which they prefer to visit with the family or the beloved one is a good start. We become more open and we like to discover things which are out of the ordinary.

• We have a developed taste for adventure

It takes a lot of curiosity and not to be afraid of trying things which are out of the ordinary. When you think of the courage that it takes to try fried tarantulas in Cambodia or the casu marzu (which is literally rotten cheese) in Sardinia, you know that nothing will stop you.

• Managing contingencies is easy!

The more you leave the big cities, the more you face the unexpected. If you’ve already gone on a trip, you know what I’m talking about:  luggage loss, theft, serious injury, breaking down on the edge of a deserted road, a lost reservation, finding yourself completely lost and nobody speaks your language to help you. Since we have seen worst, we react well to these situations. Also, we reply well to the unforeseen and do not stress about anything. Over time, our resilience is enriched. But I admit that at first, it is more difficult to handle.

• We are confident

After visiting an unknown country in a backpack, without a hotel reservation, using only the local transportation and in a foreign language, trust grows easily. The self-confidence increase and nothing can stop us from the starting again.

I would like to know, for you, which trip has had the most impact on your life?