5 Reasons You Need to Take a Road Trip This Year

People are creatures of habit. Whether we realize it or not, we all follow a daily routine. Maybe you wake up early, drink a cup of coffee, and take the dog on a walk. Maybe you press the snooze button, wake up late, bathe as fast as possible, and speed to work. The rest of the day is no different. You do similar things at set times during your day. Structure is important, but it can get boring without the occasional mix-up. Traveling is a great way to make life more interesting. Here are 5 reasons to take a road trip this year.

 

1. You deserve a break.

You can’t get anywhere without hard work, but that doesn’t mean you should hustle constantly. It’s not easy to feel inspired when you’re exhausted. Taking a road trip will restore your battery (provided you don’t answer work-related calls and emails while you’re gone). Feel free to set up an automatic reply that tells people when you’ll return and who to contact in your place.  

2. You’ll expand your horizon.  

You can only learn so much about the world when you stay in the same place forever. Traveling introduces you to new cultures. You don’t have to drive far. Every community has its own unique quirks, even if it’s only a few miles away from home. Be observant. You’ll notice different accents, customs, slang words, and all sorts of stuff. You might want to record your observations in a diary or journal to make sure you remember.

3. You’ll learn a lot about yourself.

You are a product of your environment. People tend to pick up habits (good or bad) and character traits from their closest friends. Here’s a common example. If a person moves to a different country and stays there for many years, their accent will gradually change. It’s impossible to hear people speak in a certain tone without eventually picking it up. Look for differences in your behavior while you’re away. You might learn something.

4. You’ll improve your relationships.

You don’t have to travel alone. Go ahead and invite a friend, family member, or partner. Relationships are like flowers. If you don’t water them, they will die. It’s easy to get comfortable with a person; then, you stop learning new things about each other. Do you know what will fix that in a hurry? Taking a road trip! Being trapped in a car together for hours will motivate you to ask questions (because who wants to sit in awkward silence)?

5. You’ll have ridiculous amounts of fun.

You don’t have to be a grown-up 24/7. Road trips give you an opportunity to leave your responsibilities at home (unless you’re traveling with kids, then maybe not as much!). Sky dive. Swim with dolphins. Jump off a cliff. Run barefoot on the beach. Sound crazy? That’s okay, too. You don’t have to follow my suggestions, but do use them to inspire your own adventure. There’s a big world to explore. Don’t spend all of your time in one place. Take a road trip this year. You won’t regret it.

Author Bio

Audra Fordin wears many hats. During the day, she serves as the owner/operator of Great Bear Auto Repair and Auto Body Shop in Flushing, NY. She is also the CEO of Women Auto Know, a consumer advocacy group serving female drivers of the U.S., and author of End Auto Anxiety: No Fear Car Repair and Maintenance for Busy Women. Visit www.WomenAutoKnow.com to browse female friendly auto shops near you.