Why Travel Shouldn't Be a Competition

Society constantly pushes us to prove we are better than the competition. We don’t know any better.

Today’s post is going to be a semi-rant. Mostly because lately I’ve been coming into contact with a lot of people where travel is the subject and all they do is try and boast about how the places they’ve visited are better than mine. That when I was in Australia I wasted my time and money because I didn’t stay at _____ resort. Gag me.

And they’re right, it could have been way cooler. But why does that matter?

In interviews, we must out-do the other applicants. When applying for jobs, we must write about why we are worthy over others. This process makes me cringe.

My biggest pet peeve in travel is when people base their goals around beating others.

I want to be the first one of my friends to go to Iceland. No one else can visit my secret beach. I have to beat her to the destination.

Why? Why is such a thing so important to so many people? Why instead of challenging, we encourage others to explore. People have freely and openly admitted to me that they travel to prove they are better and more worldly. Excuse me? Is that really what you want to be remembered by? Heavy sigh.

Maybe I’m just weird, but I want others to explore where I have been and do what I have done. As long as it brings them happiness. We all must compete in one way or another through life-but why compete more than we have to?

If I spent my time striving to be better than every other female traveler or blogger out there I would be unhappy and a failure. The point of my site is not to prove numbers or boast about how amazing I think my life is. Hell, I’m surprised you guys are even remotely interested in what I have to say. I’m forever thankful for my readers, but I think you came because I wrote for me and not to beat anyone.

There’s also a huge difference between competing and exploring. I love exploring, to go into the unknown and discover something truly amazing. Many times I wish that I lived with our ancestors, where the world was still an unknown mystery. But when I explore it is for myself, it is to help me learn and experience the world we live in. It is not to showcase my ego or accomplishments.

And here is where I get to the point of my ever-rambling post. If you are traveling for likes, followers or bragging rights…you’re doing it wrong. Travel to create stories, to challenge your comfort zone, to learn and to experience.

Create goals of places. Goals are good. Forever take pride in what you have done and where you have gone, but don’t let your numbers take over your ego.

Compared to some travelers, I’ve barely gone anywhere. Sometimes I get real crap for that. I’m sorry I haven’t been to over 30 countries, I didn’t realize travel was a competition.

All I know is that I have enjoyed where I have gone. That even though my schedule and budget don’t allow me to jet across seas for months at a time, I take every free moment and make it part of my adventure. Travel is not about how far you go or how long you’re gone. It’s about how you spend it and what you learn.