People travel mostly as observers and “see” very little. Traveling as an active participant can change the way you think and see the world.
This is a scenario that many of us are familiar with: We plan to go on vacation to an exotic location. We start to get excited as we plan our trip and begin to mark our calendars. The possibilities are endless before we even step foot on the plane. It’s possible for anything to happen. Our lives could be changed by accidental encounters or adventures.
We go. We have a great time. We get to see the things we want and have a great time taking a break from work. We share our photos and stories with friends when we return home. The souvenirs are given away. We step back into our lives. We let the glow go and start planning for our next adventure in our daydreams.
It’s not a pleasant experience, but it is a bit disappointing. This incredible experience is like a dream or a mirage. It’s similar to watching a movie but much more expensive.
But what if it doesn’t have to be this way?
How to be an active participant as a traveler
Participation and reflection are not part of the experience. Be present in the journey and take the time to reflect on the experiences and learn from the people and places you encounter. Use mental models to get the most out of your travel. You will be enriched, entertained, and rested.
The first is inspiration from the past.
Mary Wollstonecraft was in an emotional crisis 200 years ago. She was a feminist philosopher and author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Her lover, the father of her child, wasn’t interested anymore in being with her. She was distraught and frustrated. She believed that it was important to live in accordance with the ideals she stood for as a philosopher. It was very difficult to live up to the realities of middle-class women in 18th-century England. Women had virtually no rights. Although having a child from wedlock may have helped her view of how oppressive marriage was for women. However, without the support of her father, she knew that she would be in financial and social trouble. It was the lowest point in her life.
Wollstonecraft traveled to Scandinavia to try and win her lover back. She failed in this endeavor. She captured her journey in Letters written during a short residence in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. She revolutionized travel writing by doing this, and she also healed herself.
The letters offer a fascinating insight into Wollstonecraft’s vibrant mind. She explores the foreign surroundings and asks questions as she goes. She observes the Norwegian agricultural development, which is far behind the England of the same time. She asks herself, “And, considering human happiness, where, Oh where does it reside?” Is it in unconscious ignorance or high-wrought thoughts?
She discovers the reasons locals are so nervous about coffee, and what their fashion choices are. She also comments on the beautiful trees and their different gardening practices. She draws comparisons between Norway and England when she examines how Norwegians structure their social hierarchy. This leads her to draw conclusions about her home country, namely that what is currently the case does not necessarily have to be the best.
She also records the impact that traveling has on her. A warm heart will not be able to forget strong impressions. Emotions can become feelings, and memories are made permanent by the imagination. Without a thrill of delight, I can’t recall the sights I’ve seen and the feelings I felt in each nerve. I will never again meet them.
However, it also is true that during her life she did not have as many elements as there are today when traveling – like applying for electronic visas, collecting the necessary documents, finding the available and cheap deals, etc. But, the mindset of the traveler could remain the same.
How to set your travel goals in a right way
These are some of the goals that we can build from Wollstonecraft’s travel approach:
- Actively learn about the area you live in. Pay attention to the customs. Get to know the locals.
- Find out the reasons behind observation. Learn more about the history. Ask questions. Ask questions.
- Pay attention to how your journey affects you. What are your most vivid memories? What are your new insights? Do you find your beliefs and opinions challenged?
- Do not plan every detail. Explore. The map is not the territory.
How do we make those goals a reality?
This is where mental models can enhance the travel experience.
All of us have the tendency to generalize even from small amounts. Without the addition of new experiences, the world we live in becomes our own small world. Travel broadens your sample set. It is easier to understand the universals and the localities of people when you travel.
It is possible to overcome confirmation bias by traveling. There is a chance that people from different countries will have different opinions than you. Interactions will not reinforce your feedback loop. You’ll be exposed to new ideas, and approaches to life that will remind you of all the possibilities when you return home.
The power of algebraic equivalentence is available. As we work out algebraic abstractions like x + 8 = 8, we discover that different values can look exactly the same. You will discover that there are many ways to live a happy life. It becomes clear that equality in experience is not the same as equalness in experience. You may not want what everyone else wants. This diversity in our pursuits and desires is responsible for the differences in everything, from personal philosophy to product markets.
It can help you see the bigger picture. Galilean relativity allows you to become the fish rather than the scientist. Travel can be a great way to untangle your problems at home. You can also observe yourself in your daily life, regardless of the pressures and day-to-day stresses.
How to apply this mental model to real life
These are some tips that will help you apply the mental model approach to travel.
- Keep a travel journal. It doesn’t need to be complicated. There are many idle moments in travel, such as waiting for transport or recovering your feet from the museum. Capture and reflect.
- You can encourage serendipity to your life experiences. Allow yourself to be surprised by the unexpected. Over-planning reinforces your current biases. It is impossible to know everything about a place until you actually visit it.
- Be deliberate in setting your goal. You should go to a place with the intention of learning something from it. Do not try to replicate your home life with the same television programs and restaurants.
- Open to learning. You have the chance to make a difference through travel. When you travel, you should be prepared to add to the “you” construct. Accept the changes to your identity and use them to build new resources.
Travel can awaken you and help you see the world differently by allowing you to consider your mental models and being actively engaged.