Backpacking is an independent and low-cost way of traveling that comes in various forms. Through this journey, by spending moments and gaining experiences, one can learn new lessons in life. In this article, we will share 5 valuable lessons gained during backpacking.
Traveling, in any form, is enjoyable—whether it's by air, sea, train, or otherwise. However, backpacking is not only fun but also more exciting and adventurous. Backpacking offers a unique and rare experience that can happen during one's lifetime. Difficult conditions, hardships, bad times, and extremely joyful and thrilling moments all await along the path, bringing backpackers great excitement. But more important than these rare and fleeting moments and the joy of adventure are the valuable lessons you can learn from this journey and the positive impact it has on your mind and soul. Here are 5 important lessons from backpacking to help you choose your travel style with more insight:
We have all made the same mistakes. Perhaps we've changed a travel plan because of a friend or canceled a trip out of fear of losing them. As we get to know different people and become accustomed to them, and after saying goodbye at the end of the trip, we realize our true goals in life. During travel, we meet open-minded individuals, enjoy traveling solo, and realize that somewhere in the world, other backpackers are waiting for us for unforgettable moments and experiences. We choose the free path of life without limitations and false friends, knowing that those who genuinely accompany us won’t be upset by the travel distance or time apart.
Perhaps all of us have experienced, before embarking on our first backpacking adventure, packing more than we needed into our backpack, wanting to travel with a heavy load. We prepare several suitcases, yet still feel like something's missing. Over time and with more experience, the more stamps we get on our passport, the smaller and lighter our backpacks and suitcases become. We eventually realize that the beauty of travel is not in bags or suitcases, but in the stunning landscapes and diverse cultures of people we meet along the way. The clothes we wear or expensive gadgets like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and cameras don't matter much during the journey and can reduce the excitement and enjoyment of the trip. It's better to travel light and simple, fully enjoying the experience.
Venturing into the unknown and different world brings fear because you step out of your comfort zone and into a country with a different language. But with time, the fear fades, and you realize that fear is a natural part of life. In fact, experienced and skilled backpackers have faced the same fears and succeeded. The important point is that fear signifies life itself, showing that despite the hardships, the very act of being alive is evident. Don't let fear stop you from continuing the journey—overcome it by confronting difficulties and weaknesses.
Appreciating the Small Things
When a traveler decides to go backpacking, they immediately give up things they were once accustomed to, like home-cooked meals, their wardrobe, the gym, and many other comforts of home. However, backpacking, with all its joys, thrills, fears, worries, and separations, teaches valuable lessons. It teaches travelers to appreciate what they have and value the simple things in life. When they return home, they will know how to make the best use of what they have. As the saying goes, "He who faces hardship knows the value of well-being," and this is another lesson learned during backpacking. After experiencing life without even the smallest comforts, you’ll appreciate life’s little beauties even more upon your return.
It is an undeniable truth that travel can sometimes lead to loneliness. But this is an advantage for experienced backpackers who make the most of this opportunity. They learn that the final moments of a trip are often hard and nostalgic. When entering a new city, the memory of companions who had been with them just hours earlier fills them with longing. They realize that this is an undeniable fate, and they believe that every beginning has an end. This is something they will face, not only during travel but in every moment of life.
Separation from loved ones, friends, relatives, and meeting new people in a new world—this is the life they must accept. They shed the traveler's cloak, smile, and welcome the arrival of new people in their lives. This is a big lesson that can be learned in the school of travel and backpacking.
