Sippin Gypsy Guest Post: 8 Lessons I Learned After Traveling for the First Time by Amanda Turner

Photo Credit Rana Sawalha

Cheers Sippin Gypsy Team Gin! This guest post comes to you while enjoying one of my favorite summertime cocktails, Sorbet Sparkler!

My guest author is my friend Amanda Turner.  Amanda is a freelance writer and recent graduate who is exploring her passions through writing!  Enjoy her perspective of what she has learned through travel! Cheers!

For most people, traveling is about way more than just having fun—it’s a chance to escape your day-to-day life, learn about yourself, challenge yourself, and experience new things. Traveling, especially for the first time, can a scary thrill that you’ll remember for a lifetime. It’s not easy to leave home when you don’t know what to expect. However, once you find the confidence to take that leap, there’s a so much waiting on the other side. You walk away with lessons that you’d never learn by staying at home. If you’re thinking about traveling, here are 8 lessons I learned after traveling for the first time.

Be Flexible
No matter how much you plan for your trip, it’s important to remember to be flexible. There are so many things will not go as planned—flights can be delayed, reservations can be changed, and reality may not level up to your expectations. Being able to adjust to whatever gets thrown your way will make your trip much more enjoyable. The best thing you can do for yourself is to enjoy every moment and let unexpected issues slide off of your shoulders.

Research the Area(s) You Plan to Visit
Try to learn as much as you can about the places you plan on visiting before you leave. Proper research will let you know if there is anything you should be aware of at your destination. This can include things like customs and rules. If you’re headed to a place where you’ll have a language barrier, you should learn common words and phrases so you can communicate effectively. After my first trip, I realized that things could have gone a lot smoother if I’d taken the time to dig a little deeper into the ins and outs of the city I visited.

Photo Credit Aditya Saxena

Keep an Open Mind
You’re going to be surrounded by lots of things you aren’t used to when you travel. Although it can be easy to shut down and try to stick with what you know, push yourself to take advantage of all of the unfamiliar things around you. The experience of traveling will be extremely fulfilling if you’re willing to try new things. Keep an open mind about different foods, customs, and styles so you’re able to make the most out of your trip.

Pack As Light As Possible
It can be tempting to overpack when you’re traveling. But the more you pack the sooner you’ll realize that it can be difficult to move around as freely when you’re weighed down with a lot of stuff. One thing you definitely don’t want to do is get stuck carrying a bunch of luggage around. Only pack the things you need and be mindful of how much many items you’re bringing. Packing light can also save you money on airline fees.

Photo Credit Unsplash

Remember Your Responsibilities at Home
Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you can forget about the things you need to take care of at home. I realized that I could’ve saved a lot of money by turning off my home appliances and finding someone to water my house plants. Consider asking a friend or family member to check up on your home while you’re away.

Carry Cash
Like most people, I’m used to using my debit card for almost all of my purchases. But when you’re traveling, you’ll definitely want to have some cash on you just in case there is an issue with your card. Make note of the exchange rate if you’re traveling out of the country so you can understand how much your money is worth where you’re going.

Photo Credit Chris Lawton

Don’t Compare the Place You’re Visiting to the Place You’re From
When you’re traveling, especially for the first time, it can be easy to get caught up comparing the place you’re going to your home. It’s natural to notice similarities and differences between the two, but it’s important not to compare. Doing this can take away from fully appreciating your experience. Remember to accept and embrace the place you’re visiting for what it is—new to you.

You’re Capable of More Than You Know
Nothing will test your self-sufficiency like being lost in a new city and having to get yourself back on track. While on your trip, you’ll realize that you can handle all sorts of situations that may have scared you before. While traveling, I realized that I’m completely capable of handling myself in all sorts of different situations. This allowed me to feel confident throughout my travels and also carry this confidence with me back home.

In addition to these 8 lessons, your adventure will teach you whatever you let it. Keep an open mind and embrace every trip with open arms.

Photo Credit Diego Jimenez