27 I’ve Lessons Learned from International Travel

One of the things that I’ve been getting asked a lot recently from people I’m meeting here in Costa Rica is what I’ve been learning from all of my travels abroad. From India to Australia and now back in Costa Rica, I certainly have learned a lot. And I’m excited to share with you this very brief list that totally resonates with my outlook on life, having sold all of my belongings last November, packed the remaining items in two suitcases, and set off on a grand adventure.

  1. Living with less provides for greater freedom
  2. Your hair will always grow back
  3. You can make friends anywhere in the world, even if you don’t speak the same language
  4. People are generally kind and helpful and not out to ‘get you’
  5. Having a plan B and C will help you have peace of mind
  6. Everything you own is replaceable
  7. Your mind is your biggest limiting factor
  8. Daily rituals will keep you grounded, no matter where you find yourself in the world
  9. Be open to learning from every person you meet and every experience
  10. Don’t be afraid to take a moment to celebrate your small wins of navigating foreign environments
  11. A VPN is your best friend
  12. You are what you attract
  13. If you can dream it up, it exists. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
  14. Find a way to catalog your experiences and don’t be afraid to share them with the world
  15. Remote work will open a world of possibilities
  16. There are so many jobs and career paths out there it’s insane – don’t limit yourself
  17. Know thyself. You’ll be a more fun person to be around. 🙂
  18. Try things that scare you, often. Before you know it you’ll be the risk-taker within your circle of friends. Own it.
  19. Every country you visit is an opportunity to try on a new identity – and wardrobe.
  20. Don’t be afraid to change house – literally – if things aren’t working for you. There’s always more options than you think.
  21. Prioritize the things you value and you can’t go wrong.
  22. Use each place you visit as an opportunity to learn about yourself. This is different than ‘know thyself’.
  23. Take time to reflect on your experiences – don’t just rush from one thing to the next to avoid feeling your feelings.
  24. Invest in high quality shoes. Your feet matter.
  25. Make sure that the people you love know it. Call them. It’s worth way more than a text.
  26. Ask people to teach you how to cook new recipes. You’ll become a great chef because of it.
  27. Don’t worry about sticking to your plans.

Which of these do you want to know more about? Hear my personal experiences with? Leave a comment and I’ll expand in a future post. 🙂

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