It’s officially springtime on the East Coast, and there’s one thing on our minds: travel. Researching destinations, planning the flights, building the itinerary – there’s nothing that increases your dopamine quite like it.
Daydreaming about vacation is easy - enjoying the perfect weather, indulging in food and cocktails, wearing your favorite outfits, and experiencing relaxation at its finest. But let’s be real, it can be hard to jet set with the responsibilities of everyday life: taking time off work, finding a babysitter or pet sitter while you’re away, justifying the splurge. It may take some extra planning but here’s why you need to prioritize travel NOW:
1. Relax and Renew
We all feel the exhaustion and stress of “adulting” throughout the week. Meeting deadlines, closing deals, trying to maintain your health and social life. It’s important to take time to pause so your body isn’t constantly running on low fuel, and travel is a proven way to rejuvenate. In fact, women who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack than those who only travel every six years*. And, since mental health is equally as important, it’s worth noting that 97% of people say that having a trip planned makes them happier**. So, work through the hurdles of requesting your PTO, and prioritize YOU.
2. Expand Your Perspective
Here at Forte, we’re all about finding your passion and living your dreams. Sometimes, the only way to do that is to take yourself out of your daily routine, and gain perspective. Whether you’re traveling abroad, or across the US, cultures change dramatically with every border your cross. So, go seek out those cultures and learn. Ask yourself:
- How do people live differently than I do?
- What resources do they have that differ from what I have?
- What do their daily routines look like?
- What about their lifestyle would I want to adopt?
People-watching is a fascinating way to learn about others, and travel gives us that opportunity to soak in other lifestyles. You’d be amazed how quickly you notice similarities and differences just by being in a different time zone.
3. Get Inspired
As part of exploring different cultures, there’s a good chance you’ll be inspired to make changes to your own life. Maybe you’ll find a new dish that you love or a piece of art you never knew about. Or perhaps you’ll be affected in a bigger way. Exploring outside of your normal environment could potentially help you realize your passion or finally have a breakthrough on that business idea you’ve been toying around with. When we step out of our comfort zones, we allow ourselves to experience new things, and grow within ourselves – and self-growth is really what fuels us to achieve all that we want to.
While travel can seem daunting to some, we view it as money and time well spent. Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered some of our favorite travel resources to help you plan your next trip:
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For the Solo Traveler: Check out The Blonde Abroad. Kiki left her corporate job in 2011 to do some soul-searching, and that has turned into a business that empowers women to travel the world solo. She not only has fantastic destination recommendations, but she even offers resources like safety tips, must-see attractions, and even packing lists.
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For the Traveler Who Needs Some Inspo: One of our favorite resources for all things travel is Condé Nast Traveler. Find amazing destination ideas, cultural news across the world, and travel guides to inspire your itinerary.
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For the Up-For-Anything Traveler: A must-try tool is the easyJet Inspire Me page, where you’ll find travel options based on any one criterion (city of origin, budget, travel time, type of trip).
Whether you’re ready to sit on a beach with a good book, explore a new city, or experience a safari, feed your soul with new connections. Take time for yourself and enjoy the experiences that life has to offer. We only get one lifetime, what will you see in yours?
