You’ve read several travel blogs about people traversing the world with nothing but a backpack and wanderlust, your email won’t stop buzzing with travel deals, and you haven’t planned any of your vacation days for 2021 yet.

While you nervously sit in your office cubicle deciding whether or not to book that flight, you’ll feel both terrified and excited. Should you shake things up and go on the adventure of a lifetime? Or should you stay right where you are and continue just reading about everyone else’s adventures on your phone?

A few years ago, I was in this situation exactly – the day before I booked a flight to Spain for my 26th birthday. Alone.

I conquered my nerves and apprehensions, and was rewarded with the best experience of my life; and ever since that trip, I haven’t stopped traveling the world. If you’re currently in limbo, deciding between going or staying, here’s why I say book the retreat and go!

Traveling teaches you so much about yourself

Going out and exploring the world is one of the best life experiences and learning curves you can have. Along the way you discover so many things about yourself, and learn so much from the people you’ll encounter on the road.

You may discover that the things that were once so important to you no longer have any significance. You may gain clarity concerning a big decision or a relationship back home, and can take actions which bring you peace.

You’ll also realise that although there are billions of people scattered across the globe, living in different countries, speaking in different languages, we are essentially all the same. We all want to experience more love and joy, and we all know the universal language of a smile.

Experiences hold more value than material things

I’ve always been a big fan of actually visiting Paris, versus owning dozens of shoes that were made there. We can’t take our possessions with us when it’s time for us to leave this world, so why not spend more time creating memories with ourselves and the people we love the most.

Get out of your comfort zone and be stronger

Getting out of your comfort zone can be scary, but staying in a bubble of comfortableness your entire life wondering “what if?” can be even scarier. The transformation that happens when you tiptoe (or leap!) out of the confines of the ordinary is amazing. You realise things aren’t anywhere near as intimidating as they once seemed, and you’ll soon become more inclined to take even greater leaps into the unknown to accomplish your goals. You change for the better

Have you ever heard someone tell you that they traveled somewhere and had the worst experience of their life? I haven’t. Sure, there may be some places you visit that turn out not to be your cup of tea – but you’ll always learn something from every experience, and exposure is always beneficial for personal growth and self development.

Traveling solo has made me more independent and strong minded. It’s made me realise my own inner power, recognise that I can do things alone, and actually begin to enjoy my own company.

I’m a big believer in that the best way to truly get to know and love yourself more is to spend some quality time alone with yourself.

So what are you waiting for? Get going!