The year 2020 has been full of surprises and challenges, and we’re not even half-way there. Some of us are taking a harder hit than others, but I think we can all agree that times are indeed rough. We’ve had to get used to new norms including self-quarantining and social distancing.

As you might have also experienced, some days are better than others. On days where I feel uninspired, I would find comfort in reminiscing and revisiting old travel memories. And you know what? Aside from all the amazing memories, crazy stories and incredible pictures, I’ve found that many of the lessons learned from travelling can be really powerful and extremely relevant to our current situation. So here it is:

1. Be more appreciative - gratitude creates happiness

Have you noticed that when we’re travelling, we see the world in a much different light? Some of us even act like different people - happier, friendlier and more spontaneous. We appreciate and seize every moment, we find joy in the little things - now why can’t we be like that always?

Now (more than ever), it’s important to stay positive. One of the methods that have worked for me is a gratitude journal. Yes, I was skeptical too at first. But when you start doing it, it forces you to reflect and find things to be thankful for. And it’s simple, all you have to do is list 3 things you’re grateful for - try doing this everyday. You’ll notice that some days you can think a million things and others you can't even list one - that’s completely fine! The point of this practice is to focus on the good stuff in life - the silly, small things that make every day a little brighter. Soon, it will become a habit and the optimism will come naturally.

Here’s a lovely quote from Rupi Kaur: “I thank the universe for taking everything it has taken and giving to me everything it is giving.”

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff - it’s OK if expectations don’t pan out

Things don’t always go the way we plan them. I’m sure we’ve all experienced this while travelling - we hold onto a detailed itinerary where we’ve listed out places to visit, we’re checking off things to do, but more often than not, something gets in the way and we miss a few items on the list. Yes, it’s frustrating when it rains or when disagreements happen with your travel buddy and you don’t get to visit that famous landmark that you’ve been looking forward to. C'est la vie (it’s life), as the French say. Embrace the spontaneity and just go with the flow!

When dealing with disappointments and frustrations, the best thing to do is to remember that everything works itself out. Trust me, it always does. In life and travel, anticipate the unexpected - it could involve spending more money or time - but don’t allow it to ruin your choice to decide how you handle it. So rather than worrying about things we can’t control, we should instead focus on the things that we can change.

3. Life is now - make every day count

We often hold onto regrets from the past and stress about the future, forgetting that life is now - the present is what matters. We fall into this loop where we tell ourselves that 'someday' things will be different - someday I’ll get fit, someday I’ll stand up to my boss, someday I’ll start that side hustle - but 'someday' doesn’t exist. Something I realized while travelling is that now is the time, today is the day. When we have a limited amount of time to experience a certain place, we’re engaged in the moment and we make it count - and that’s exactly how life should be! The more you say 'someday,' the less likely it is that someday will ever come. Here’s another one of my favourite cliche catch phrases - Carpe Diem (seize the day)! It’s never too late to start. So gather all the courage you need and take that leap! Do all the things you said you’d do and let someday be today.

4. Experiences are better than stuff

One of the biggest life lessons you’ll learn from travelling is that humans need much less than we thought to be happy. When we’re forced to bring only the essentials, we instead rely more on our experiences for pleasure. Truth is, the joy of travel comes from the amazing experiences along the journey, and not the possessions you bring with you. This is when you start to realize the importance of collecting moments, rather than things.

When was the last time you felt inspired or experienced fulfillment? Recreate those moments - whether it’s through human connection, learning something new or perhaps even contributing to your community. These are the kind of meaningful experiences that we should seek out, it will not only bring joy but also help us to gain wisdom in life.

Perhaps this Covid-19 pandemic isn’t so much of an interlude, but a reset and a turning point - towards a much simpler life. In a time that’s too easy to buy stuff and too hard not to, things are piling up faster than we could organize and certainly faster than we could enjoy them. Now’s the time to declutter our lives, priorities, schedules, finances and even relationships. The question is, as Marie Kondo asks, “Does it spark joy?” And if the answer is no, you know what to do.

5. Never stop learning

Every moment and phase in life is a learning opportunity, just like every travel experience and conversation you have teaches you something new - but only if you’re open to it. You learn so much about different cultures when speaking to a local and you grow from leaving your comfort zone, a familiar and safe place, and experiencing unknown things - a new place, new people who may not understand you, unfamiliar customs, the list goes on. You get to expand your horizons and come home with endless stories.

The lockdown has somehow granted us with all this extra time, don’t you think we should make the most out of it? Do that thing you’ve always wanted to do, pick up that hobby you never had time for, learn that new skill that you’ve been meaning to! This is a great time to broaden your mind and soul.

6. Discover your own powers

Probably the most important lesson of all - you are much stronger and more powerful than you ever thought.

Being in a foreign land for the first time can be challenging and maybe even a little scary. When you’re faced with difficult situations, you always find ways to overcome them. Just like the unprecedented times we’re in right now, we’re all affected in some way - but don’t be discouraged! It’s just a minor hurdle that I’m sure we can all get through.

So, instead of going out, go within! This is the perfect time for a little self-reflection.

Ask yourself, what lessons have you learned through this and what goals do you want to achieve by the time this is over? Visualise the future you want and manifest it! The power of attraction, baby!

7 Lessons Learned From Travelling That Are Useful During The Covid19 Pandemic