They say travel broadens the mind, but I’d argue it also zooms in on your heart—showing you things you didn’t even realize were there. For me, packing my bags has done more than just fill my passport; it’s taught me surprising lessons about my identity, my boundaries, and, most importantly, my relationships. From the color-drenched sunsets of the Lowcountry to misty mornings in the French Alps, every trip has unearthed a little more of who I really am. Sometimes it’s profound. Sometimes it’s just realizing I apparently snore when I’m truly at peace.

Here are the ways hitting the road (and occasionally getting lost on it) has shaped not only how I see the world but how I see myself. Spoiler: There’s humor, heartbreak, and one very mistaken attempt at mountaineering.

1. Adventure Is a Love Language—Even If It Scares You

I’ve come to believe that spontaneity is a muscle, and Chilean empanadas taught me how to flex it. A few years back, I was in Valparaíso with a friend who thrives on winging it. One minute, we were snapping photos of graffiti murals; the next, she was asking a group of locals where we could find the best food. Fast forward to me eating an empanada big enough to double as a pillow on someone’s rooftop while strangers serenaded us with guitars. This wasn’t planned. It wasn’t safe in the way pre-vetted, five-star Yelp reviews are safe. But it was beautiful, messy, and unforgettable.

The truth is, the unknown has always terrified me a bit. I'm the type who usually packs snacks and a backup outfit. But that trip reminded me there’s freedom in letting go, even in relationships. You don’t have to have every date meticulously planned or every conversation mapped out—sometimes, love flourishes when you embrace the unexpected.

2. Culture Shock Reveals Your Comfort Zone—and Pushes You Out of It

Let me set the scene: a bustling market in Marrakesh, every sense firing at once. The sizzle of fresh tajine, the kaleidoscope of spices piled high, the bargaining battles so intense they feel Shakespearean. I thought I was worldly and flexible, but within 30 minutes, I was clinging to Google Translate like it was a life raft.

What travel has shown me time and again is the importance of patience—with strangers, with circumstances, and, most crucially, with myself. Misunderstandings are inevitable, whether you're navigating a foreign country or a new relationship. But here's the thing: relationships thrive when you’re willing to communicate across divides, even if it takes trial and error. Sometimes, love is about meeting someone halfway—or, in my case, awkwardly gesturing at a vendor until I uncovered the universal language of laughter.

3. The Wrong Companions Will Ruin the Right Destination

There’s travel… and then there’s traveling with people. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve shared some unforgettable trips with friends who knew exactly when to wander off for solitude and when to rejoin for an impromptu food crawl. But then there was my ill-fated trip to the Smoky Mountains with one very particular ex.

I’ve blocked most of it out, but here’s the highlight reel: constant complaints about wifi service, arguments about how long it would take me to “get up that hill” (spoiler: I hiked it faster than he did), and a gas station snack debacle so petty it should have been featured on reality TV.

The lesson here? Just as your travel buddies influence your experience, your choice of partner shapes your emotional landscape. The wrong person can turn the Grand Canyon into just a big hole in the ground. Conversely, the right person can make a random detour—say, to a roadside boiled peanut stand—feel magical. So pick your fellow adventurers carefully, or you’ll find yourself wishing for a one-way ticket home.

4. Home Is Multifaceted—and It’s Okay to Miss It

People like to romanticize travel as an endless escape, but let me tell you: by week three during grad school in New York, I was dream-eating shrimp and grits in my sleep. Travel can’t erase who you are or where you come from, and, honestly, it shouldn’t.

For me, growing up amid Charleston’s tidal creeks and live oaks left an imprint no jet setting could ever scrub away. That bittersweet longing for home—whether it’s your family’s Sunday potluck or even just your favorite spot on the couch—isn’t weakness. It’s your heart reminding you of your anchor. What I’ve learned is that it’s possible to hold space for both: a desire for exploration and a deep connection to where you’re rooted. In fact, there’s nothing more grounding than walking through Paris, Rome, or Dubai and realizing that wherever you go, you carry a piece of home with you.

5. Getting Lost Is a Metaphor—and Sometimes, Literal

Somewhere just outside Savannah, I once drove in the wrong direction for an hour because I convinced myself I “knew better” than Google Maps. I was wrong. Sometimes life humbles you by forcing you to turn the car around, roll the windows down, and laugh at yourself while you get back on course.

Honestly, I’ve lost myself more times than I can count—not just in miles but in moments. I once ended up wandering Dubrovnik with a boyfriend after our big dinner plans fell through. We got properly lost, stumbled into a tiny churchyard, and ended the night sitting on a weathered bench beneath the stars. That relationship eventually ended (amicably, FYI), but the memory of the night? It stays with me.

Getting lost teaches you resilience, creativity, and how to lean into detours. Whether it’s finding yourself in a strange city or adapting to unexpected changes in your love life, one thing remains the same: often, the wrong turns lead to exactly where you’re supposed to be.

6. You Can’t Fully Appreciate What You Have Until You Leave—it’s Science

This lesson didn’t hit until I got back from a whirlwind trip to Italy and saw Charleston again with fresh eyes. I’ve always loved my hometown. But after standing before the Colosseum and marveling at Tuscan landscapes, what struck me most was how rooted I felt when I looked out across the marshlands that I grew up next to. The way the sun ripples across water here? It’s just as dazzling as any piazza.

In life and love, leaving allows you to gain perspective. Sometimes, stepping back is what shows you what you’ve been taking for granted. Distance isn’t a bad thing—it often brings clarity, reminding you what’s worth cherishing and what might need to change.

7. Solo Travel Is the Cheat Code for Self-Discovery

The first time I traveled solo, it wasn’t some Eat, Pray, Love fantasy—it was me, awkwardly navigating a train station in Savannah and trying to convince myself I didn’t look completely lost (I did). But you know what? That trip left me feeling invincible.

There’s something about being fully in charge of your itinerary (and missteps). Solo travel strips away distractions and forces you to reflect: What do you like? What energizes you? What drains you? Whether you’re crossing borders or simply spending a night “solo-dating” yourself, the same principle applies. Being alone isn’t lonely—it’s empowering.

Travel has this way of shining a light on not just the world but on your own story. Every trip I’ve taken—every awkward miscommunication, every petty argument, every wrong turn—has shaped how I approach my relationships and, ultimately, how I treat myself.

So, whether it’s a new city, a new love, or just saying yes to something you once avoided, remember this: you’re always learning. And who knows? The next lesson might just come with a view.