How traveling has changed me as a person

Travel has changed the fabric of my being. The person who embarked on her first international trip in 2018 is completely different from the individual I am today – for better or worse.

Sometimes I look back on my novice awe of the world with a glimmer of jealousy. Other times I wonder how I managed to survive my first excursions alone with absolutely no experience.

Whenever I ponder the ways I’ve changed from travel, I always think about my very first week abroad.

The author with her new friends on a Krabi Balcony Party Hostel — *The group of experienced travelers I met my first week in Thailand*

I had just arrived in Thailand completely alone. At the time, the extent of my traveling didn’t go past the borders of the United States and everything around me felt like it was opening my eyes in a way I’d never known.

Since I was staying in a hostel instead of a hotel, it didn’t take long to make friends who happened to be much more well-versed in the art of travel. They’d been traveling for months on end, accumulating a wealth of knowledge that seemed as valuable as gold to me.

After chatting one evening, it began to set in how different our travel perspectives truly were.

Swapping stories about their favorite experiences in Southeast Asia so far, one of them playfully chimed in, “I’m so sick of the temples. You’ve seen one temple and you’ve seen them all.”

I remember getting struck by that sentence like a ton of bricks. Visiting Thai temples was astounding to me and the idea that one could grow tired of them was even more shocking.

Later on, we spent the afternoon lounging on the most beautiful beach I’d ever seen. However, for my new friends, it was far from the best. They were underwhelmed. It was too crowded, the water wasn’t as nice as other beaches in the country.

Since then, I’ve visited over a dozen countries and my perspective has completely shifted in ways I never anticipated. Here are a few ways I changed after 5+ years of exploring:

I know myself (and what I like) better

Travel writer Sky looking at the views on a giant hammock at Casa Elemento — *Travel writer Sky Ariella on a giant hammock at Casa Elemento in Minca, Colombia*

Exploring new places helps you get to know yourself better, especially when you’re traveling alone.

Everyone thinks that an island sounds romantic and alluring on paper. However, it isn’t until you’re trapped on one in the middle of the ocean that you actually learn if it’s for you or not.

Traveling long-term has shown me that I’m a mountain girl at heart who enjoys the beach in a pinch. I like having the option of nightlife, but I hate party destinations. I much prefer authentic, quiet neighborhoods to busy, tourist hotspots.

Knowing what you like might sound simple, but it takes time to truly develop an understanding of your travel preferences and the type of traveler you are.

I’m not as easily impressed

View of Salto de la novia waterfall — *A waterfall in Spain that I just found underwhelming even though it was pretty*

There was a time when this waterfall I encountered at a national park in Spain would have left me stunned. When I saw it in 2022 though, I remember feeling like it wasn’t worth the effort of getting there. It was just another waterfall, I’d seen better.

Building up a tolerance for the beauty of the world is one of the least favorable side effects of traveling a lot for me. Don’t get me wrong; I take in and appreciate everything I see on a trip. But, it doesn’t hit my soul the same way as it would have with naive eyes.

I still get nerves, but they’re less debilitating and mixed with a stronger dose of excitement

Author Sky stretching on the stairs at Tayrona National Park — *Travel writer Sky Ariella getting a stretch in at Tayrona National Park*

I assumed those pesky pre-trip nerves would dampen with more travel experience. Surprisingly, they haven’t completely dissipated, but they have gotten much less overwhelming.

Before my first trip, I cried through the entire car ride and at the airport, completely paralyzed by my fear of the unknown. Now, I just feel a bit of prickling anxiety right before I go on a big trip that’s much more generously mixed with excitement.

I’m more willing to do stuff that would’ve scared me before

Author Sky and friends chilling at a Hammock over the edge of a mountain — *This hammock over the edge of a mountain would’ve terrified me before traveling*

When I was a child, my dad tried to train my fear of heights out of me by having me walk across a transparent bridge at the giant Times Square Toys R Us. It didn’t work nearly as well as traveling.

I’ve accomplished height feats that I never thought I’d manage in this lifetime over the past few years. Travel has made me more willing to face my fears.

Home doesn’t feel exciting enough

Street scene in NYC — *The streets of NYC are still my favorite, but they’re not as exciting as they used to be*

NYC will always be one of my favorite places in the entire world. I lived in Brooklyn for years and I’m loyal in my love for the city.

With that being said, spending time in my favorite New York neighborhoods just doesn’t feel as captivating as before. Years of traveling have instilled this thirst for newness in me and home feels bland in comparison.

My confidence in my self-reliance is off the charts

Author Sky swimming at Cenote Azul — *Travel writer Sky Ariella swimming at Cenote Azul in Yucatan, Mexico*

My favorite newfound post-travel trait is my confidence in myself. I never realized how well I could have my own back until I began traveling solo as a woman.

I’ve always been a very independent person, but travel really proved to me that I am capable of taking care of myself wherever I go. It’s a powerful knowledge that’s allowed me to feel more comfortable as a person in general.

I’ve become more patient in the face of problems

A man on the pathway looking at the view of Lake Como — *Even a bit of rain didn’t stress me in Lake Como*

On my first day in Thailand, I freaked out on the phone with my friend when I couldn’t figure out how to open the door to my Airbnb and I was about to miss my taxi. There was no problem-solving, just an immediate jump to chaos.

I’m happy to report that this quality has decreased significantly with more experience. Issues and annoyances are an inevitability of travel, but how you handle them really determines how problematic they will become.

When it started downpouring on my last day in Italy last year, the one I planned to spend around Lake Como, my first urge was dismay. But, I tucked it away and set off with a rain jacket. The showers cleared up by the time I arrived and I was surprised with nearly a full day of sunshine.

***

Traveling full-time has bestowed me with wisdom and a touch of cynicism. Looking back, I can completely relate to the sentiments of the experienced travelers I met during my first week abroad.

The good qualities I’ve gained from travel over the years are priceless to me. I still have to keep an eye out for potentially damaging effects to make sure I don’t become too jaded and ruin exploring for myself, though.

One destination that gave me that new traveler wonder again was Japan. If you’re planning a trip there soon, be sure to check out my complete one week Japan itinerary.