The Cost Of Not Taking Risks When Traveling
For many people, going on a break means relaxing and taking time out. But historically, it never used to be this way. People traveled for the adventure it offered. You never quite knew what was going to happen.
The West has become more sanitized as the years have worn on and now resembles a zoo. Harm avoidance is one of the highest ideals.
Unfortunately, this setup leaves many people feeling unfulfilled. Life isn’t just about being safe. It also has to involve doing epic things.
In this post, we take a look at some of the costs of not taking risks when traveling. Yes, you still want to be careful and should avoid doing anything too dangerous. But at the same time, you don’t always want to play everything perfectly safely. That might not be in your best interest.
Let’s look at some of the costs of not taking risks while traveling. Here’s what you need to know:
The Regret
One significant problem with not taking risks while traveling is the sense of regret it can give you. If you don’t do the things you know you should do, it can make a massive difference to how you feel about yourself.
For example, imagine if you didn’t step outside into a foreign city because you were worried about getting lost. Think about all the things you could have missed out on, including all the street food, people, and sights.
What about if you skipped a cooking class because you didn’t want other people to see your kitchen skills? Again, you could have missed out on learning something valuable that would have stayed with you for life. Even refusing to go out on an evening walk could be a missed opportunity on holiday. Perhaps you missed a sunset or some wildlife residing in the trees. It could be anything.
In summary, you don’t want to get to the point years later where you’re beating yourself up because you didn’t get to experience something you wanted to do. That’s something that could make you miserable.
The Lack Of Growth
Related to the regret of not taking risks is the lack of growth. When you do everything inside a bubble, there’s never a chance for you to challenge yourself or do something different.
Ultimately, travel should be about broadening your horizons. But if you spend all your time feeling grumpy in your hotel room, you might as well be in the office working.
Taking risks, on the other hand, opens up new opportunities to test who you are. If you can challenge yourself more, you are more likely to respond positively, similar to exercise.
For example, you could try new food or navigate a new city by yourself. You could also go to a distant destination alone without anyone there supporting you.
You could even experiment with your ability to strike up conversations with local people – often one of the hardest things to do. These little interactions can have a lasting effect on how you feel.
The Missed Opportunities
Perhaps the biggest problem with staying safe all the time is the missed opportunities. Travel should be about free exploration. It shouldn’t be an activity where you plan everything in meticulous detail.
There are all sorts of missed opportunities people experience when traveling. For example, you might miss hidden gems or authentic activities with locals. You might also fail to find where to watch Euro 2024 while you’re away, having to catch up with it later online instead of enjoying it live with others.
Years down the line, you don’t want to be asking yourself “what if” questions. That’s a road to misery.
How To Take More Risks While Traveling
Many people like to plan their travel itineraries meticulously. They put everything on a spreadsheet, setting out the exact times and locations for everything.
But if you want to live more spontaneously, that’s not a good idea. Instead, you want to take a different approach.
By all means, do your research before you leave. Be aware of the risks and potential pitfalls. However, it also leaves space for free time and exploration. Don’t fill every day with one planned activity after another.
If you’re worried, start with little things. Don’t travel to places where you are fearing for your life all the time. If something feels like it’s going to hurt you, don’t do it. Keep practicing until you feel more confident with the situations you find yourself in. Becoming a travel-lover can sometimes take time as you get used to everything.
