How Traveling Helped Me Embrace Change

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always feared the unknown. As an extreme “Type A” girl with generalized anxiety, I thrive by planning and getting ahead. I’ve never skipped a homework assignment, I make a scheduled itinerary before taking any trip, I’ve flooded my Notes App with tedious “to-do” lists, and I always arrive at least ten minutes early to any event I attend. Over-planning and over-performing are habits I’ve developed to survive. But I am trying to change. 

Until this year, the mere idea of “winging it” was my worst nightmare. Now – slowly – I’ve learned to let go of things that I cannot control. Since graduating from college, enduring numerous job applications and rejections, and making a spontaneous move to Europe, I’ve begun to accept the idea that not everything can be figured out perfectly. Sometimes, it’s okay not to have a plan. 

“Rejection is Redirection” 

As a burnt-out student in my final year of college, I was motivated by the thought of moving to Spain to teach English after graduating. I saved up the money, mentally prepared for the move, and had everything I needed for my Spanish visa. But the Spanish government rejected my placement two months before I was supposed to leave because of a lawsuit. 

As someone with anxiety, I struggled to handle this drastic change in my plans. 

After enduring the grieving stage of this plan cancellation, I reached acceptance. However, I didn’t let this stop me from finding another way to Spain. I started applying to remote jobs and researching different certified language schools across Spain. I eventually found a language school that interested me and offered student housing. And, after getting my friend on board, I had a new plan: move to Spain without a visa for two months, take Spanish classes at this language school, then travel Europe for an additional month. 

In following through on my plan, I left my part-time job, booked a one-way flight, packed two backpacks full of essentials, and moved. Just a year prior, I could have never imagined doing that. One may call this decision impulsive or irresponsible, but I call it a learning experience, a network opportunity that spans beyond academics or professional work. It’s a chance to redirect myself and focus on attaining personal goals before settling into a more structured routine. 

Embrace a Slower Pace of Living 

One of my favorite things about living in Spain is the slow living. People walk more slowly, meals last far longer, stores close on Sundays, siesta gives everyone a mid-day pause, and everything goes on until the late hours of the night or early morning. Nothing is rushed, infusing a sense of relaxation in daily life. 

Overall, Spanish culture prioritizes human connection through a spontaneous weekday meetup, a “sobremesa” session after dinner, or a quick chat with the grocery store. Adapting to this new lifestyle feels like treating myself to a brand new mentality – one that is freeing. 

Prioritize Travel While Young 

When I tell people about my travels and plan for moving abroad, they usually say something like this: “Good for you for traveling while you’re young. I wish I had done that when I was younger.” Every time I hear that, I feel a sense of validation and reassurance. It affirms to me that experience is more valuable than money. 

While to some, my choices appear financially unstable, I don’t see it that way. I view traveling and moving abroad as an investment in a life rich with experiences and memories. Through travel, I’ve learned to embrace change more easily and find beauty through the chaos and flaws that I’m bound to experience on every trip. 

Traveling has provided me with more than just passport stamps. 

It has enriched my overall knowledge of the world and improved my empathy, critical thinking, and language skills. I’ve also relaxed, dropping the excessive planning of itineraries, booking more last-minute flights, and not overthinking every step. Traveling makes me a more adaptable person, and I feel better equipped to handle conflict as a result. 

If you are struggling with handling change or uncertainty, remember what I’ve learned from traveling:  you can handle situations with grace and willingness to succeed. You can adapt to new circumstances, despite the difficulty. Keep your anxiety down, your optimism up, and you might end up loving what fate has in store for you.

Photo by Deniz Fuchidzhiev on Unsplash