The Motivations of Long-Term Travel
Many people envy long-term travelers. Long-term travelers are people that are always traveling to different places. But, some people are unable to embark on long-term travel for varied reasons including work, education, and family responsibilities. But, the immense benefits of long-term travel are the key motivators that make many individuals spend much of their time traveling.
Here are the major motivations of long-term travel:
Understanding the World
Long term travel gives you many experiences that shape how you understand the world. You leave your comfort zone, face new challenges, and enjoy different experiences. You interact with people that have different perspectives and ways of life. This changes your perception towards the world and people.
Challenging the Common Norms
Common norms in most places are about being born, studying, working and retiring. They do not allow individuals to get out of the routine or do different things. When you travel, you challenge these norms. You do things that give you happiness. You challenge the norms that are concerned with money and careers.
Challenging Stereotypes
Your immediate society may have made you believe things that are not true about other people. Embarking on long-term travel enables you to spend time with the people whose stereotypes you might have heard over the years. Your experience enables you to burst some of these stereotypes on the basis of your first-hand encounter with people that practice different cultures.
Detachment from Stuffs
Sometimes you just want to detach from your immediate environment. This may include your home or workplace. When you detach from your immediate setting, you get a chance to reflect, decide what you want with life and strategize. You also get an opportunity to be away from the things that stress you in life. This enables you to lead a better, more fulfilled life upon your return.
Long-term travelers are scientists, sociologists, explorers and humans that want to live their lives to the fullest. They believe that long-term travel enables them to appreciate themselves and others, get out of their comfort zone, challenge common norms, and burst stereotypes. This shapes their understanding of the world and people.