What Traveling Has Taught Me About Myself

By: Aneesha Mahapatra

I’ve spent years and years thinking about what my life would’ve been like if I wasn’t born in America. Or what if I did the study abroad program I told myself I wanted to? Or the boarding school I wished my parents sent me to? I’ve grown up traveling to over 30 countries because of my family and I’s passion to see all the bits and corners of different cities. Every time I leave the country, I’m reminded how there’s a whole world out there and confining myself to just a place I’ve settled and have made myself comfortable in doesn’t feel as comforting anymore. 

Traveling encourages us to let go of routines, comfort, and even old versions of ourselves. Each new place shows us a glimpse of who we are and who we’re becoming. Sometimes it’s found in the energy of cobblestone streets or even in the quiet ambiance of sitting alone with your thoughts in a new café, coffee in hand. These moments show us that we often discover ourselves most when we step outside what we know.

The more I’ve traveled with either friends or family, the more I realize I’m finding myself belonging in a place I never thought I would. Sometimes it feels as if I’m running away from something or someone, when in reality I am running towards a feeling I’ve been chasing my whole life. A feeling of freedom, adrenaline, peace, and appreciation of the art of seeing myself staying somewhere alone. Every culture shows a different side of what it means to be human. Seeing how people live, celebrate, and move through the world reminds me there’s not a single way to exist. There are countless ways to find meaning, build connections, and feel alive.

In those moments, life feels both bigger and simpler. Bigger because there’s so much to learn, so many places to see, and so many people whose stories I’ll never fully know. Simpler because it reminds me of mystery, connecting with different people, and enjoying something new. Traveling shows me that the meaning of life isn’t about reaching one final place, but about collecting the small experiences that shape who we are.

Maybe that’s why I’ve always felt the urge to leave the East Coast and get a sense of what it’s like outside my bubble. For so long, I’ve carried this feeling of being stuck like I’ve outgrown the space I’m in but haven’t yet stepped into the one waiting for me. However, every trip I take reminds me that there is more out there for me and so much to explore. Trying new foods, embracing myself in a variety of beautiful cultures, and understanding the world in a way some people who have never even stepped outside of their hometown won’t understand. 

Traveling is such a privilege. It’s such a privilege to be able to book a flight, immerse yourself in a place thousands of people would die to go to, and return home whenever you choose. For many, comfort isn’t something they get to step out of, it’s something they’ve never even had. That perspective has made me realize how easy it is to take stability for granted, how simple it is to complain about feeling stuck when others are just trying to survive. 

IIn the broader scheme, comfort is a luxury of its own. Having the choice to leave a city, to start fresh, or to find yourself abroad comes from a level of security that not everyone has. Not everyone gets the chance to move freely, to cross borders without any fear, or to return to a safe home whenever they choose. That’s what so many people miss, they only see the world through the lens of their own life. They believe their version of reality is the only one that counts, forgetting that billions of others live entirely different lives shaped by struggle, culture, religion, and experiences far beyond their own. Travel has a way of opening eyes to just how big the world really is and how small your comfort zone can be. 

Comfort has done me well for my entire life, but it’s starting to feel more like a cage than anything. I don’t just want to dream about other people’s lives or wonder what it would be like to live somewhere else, I want to experience it. Because finding myself isn’t something I can do by staying still. While moving means leaving everything behind, it’s also saying yes to the unknown, and finally finding the version of myself I’ve been looking for.

There’s a saying that if you feel special in a city you’re visiting, that means there’s something there for you. I’ve felt that in a lot of places and I think that’s my sign to leave one day. If my parents didn’t take me around the world from such a young age, I wouldn’t have even known about how amazing the countries beyond America truly are. Travel may start as an escape from reality, but it’s exactly the type of life I want, one where I keep finding a place to escape to but also a place where I make it home and grow as a person.