When you step out on the journey to become who you are, consider the impact that an vibrant, unfamiliar, and fresh environment can have on your growth.
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
— E.E. Cummings
The Journey to Self-Discovery
To become who you are is a lifelong journey, often fraught with societal expectations, self-doubt, and the pressure to conform.
Self-discovery is an act of bravery—one that requires us to shed layers of conditioning and embrace our authentic selves.
One of the most profound ways to do this is through travel.
Travel isn’t just about seeing new places; it’s about stepping away from what is familiar and comfortable.
When we leave behind the environments that have shaped us, we also leave behind the expectations and assumptions that may not align with our essential nature. In the unfamiliar, we are free to explore different versions of ourselves, unburdened by the roles we have been assigned in our daily lives.
Being away from home allows us to see our lives from a fresh perspective. The distance reveals what matters most to us and highlights what we may have been holding onto out of habit rather than genuine desire.
It forces us to ask: Are our choices truly ours, or were they made to satisfy others?
Every trip, whether to a neighboring town or across the world, is an opportunity to strip away what no longer serves us. The unfamiliar settings challenge our assumptions and push us to grow. In new cultures, we are faced with different ways of thinking, living, and being, which can either reinforce our values or inspire us to change.
Thriving in Paris
A trip to Paris, for example, has a way of cracking us open in all the right ways. The city’s slower pace—long café conversations, leisurely walks along the Seine, afternoons spent admiring art—invites reflection.
The appreciation for beauty, pleasure, and connection that Parisians embody can be eye-opening for those used to the relentless pursuit of productivity. One might discover that they have been measuring success in a way that doesn’t align with their soul. Paris, with its deep history and artistic soul, holds up a mirror, allowing us to see ourselves anew.
Stepping into the unknown requires courage, but it is within uncertainty that we find clarity.
Travel demands that we navigate unfamiliar situations, make decisions independently, and trust ourselves. The more we do this, the more confident we become in our instincts and choices. Each challenge—sorting out train schedules, a language barrier, an unexpected detour—teaches resilience and self-reliance.
As we travel, we become more attuned to our preferences and desires. Do we thrive in solitude or among crowds? Do we prefer taking a culinary class or spending hours in a museum? Are we happiest exploring history, nature, or art? These insights help us shape lives that feel truer to who we are, rather than who we think we should be.
Photo by Susie deVille. Chiharu Shiota installation at the Grand Palais.
Become Who You Are, There and Here
The irony of travel is that while we leave home seeking adventure, we often return with a deeper understanding of ourselves. We come back not only with stories and memories but with a clearer sense of what we want from life.
The world is vast, and so are the possibilities for who we can become. Embrace the uncertainty and become who you are.
Every move beyond our comfort zone helps us release the fears, habits, and mindsets that no longer serve us. When we dare to explore—both the world and ourselves—we give ourselves permission to grow, embrace change, and build a life that truly aligns with our deepest values.
Travel is more than movement across landscapes. It is a transformation from within. Let’s chase new horizons, rewrite our story, and step boldly into the life waiting for us.
