How Exploring the World has Changed My Life for the Better

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If I had to ask myself what makes me happy, my answer is: exploring. Ever since I had the means to, one of my favorite things to do is explore. It can be easy to think of first-class plane tickets, a passport filled with stamps, and exotic beaches on the other side of the world when thinking about exploring, but to me, it’s more than just travel. To me, exploring means going out and enjoying all that life has to offer, including domestic and international travels, as well as local places and hidden gems. In all my years of exploration, I’ve also learned some very important life lessons. Read on to see how exploring and keeping an open mind has positively impacted my life.

1. I’ve Become More Empathetic

Exploring has helped me become a more empathetic person, especially when I travel to places that are so different from LA, which is where I was born and raised. Rather than just visiting famous landmarks or photo spots, I like to explore like a local, no matter where I am, so I can truly see how people in a certain city or country live. This helps me broaden my perspective of the world and helps me develop greater empathy.

2. I Understand Many Different Cultures

On that note, I love learning more about different cultures. Exploring different cities and countries has allowed me to reach a deeper understanding of so many cultures. Although it’s nearly impossible to become an expert in so many different cultures, exploring pushes us to open our minds to lots of new concepts and ideas. When we’re presented with something we’re not familiar with, we want to learn more about it, rather than condemn it. That’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned while exploring the world.

3. I Appreciate the Little Things in Life

One of my favorite things about exploring the world is how it’s inspired me to appreciate all of the little things in life. Whether it’s a beautiful scenic view, such as a sunset or a sunrise, or delicious foods in an area of the world I’ve never been to before, there’s so much to be appreciated. Just having the opportunity to see the world is a blessing in itself, and exploring has made me appreciate this sentiment even more.

What is something that makes you happy?