BWT Adventure Guides: Mindset, Identity, and the Travel Lifestyle

Adventure is a State of Mind

This article is part of the BWT Adventure Guide series. The BWT Guides are designed to provide a quick and easy overview of information found on the Brave Wise Traveler website. They can be used as a guide in and of themselves. Or, if you come across a topic and want to dive in deeper, there are links to articles that will help you to do just that. Hopefully this guide helps you to become a more confident and knowledgeable traveler – a Brave Wise Traveler!

Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you.

Anthony Bourdain

Why Do We Travel?

• There are many different reasons why we choose to travel, and they can be unique for each of us.
• Having the courage to plan your own trips allows you to plan around your own unique interests.
• For adults who have forgotten how to have fun, travel can be a healthy form of play.
• It’s important not to put off your travel dreams since none of us knows how much time we have left in this world.

What Makes You a Traveler?

• Being a traveler is about attitude, even when you’re not on the road. 
• Travel adventures can even occur close to home with the right attitude.

Make Your Travel Adventures Unique to Who You Are

• Don’t let the internet choose your adventures for you. 
• Learn about the culture to fit in and be a good guest. 
• Clarify what you do and don’t want to experience during your travel adventures.
• Consider creating a travel quest. 
• Use the “peak-end rule” to make your travel memories more special. 
• Try talking with strangers to enhance your travel knowledge and experiences. 
• Consider traveling “off the beaten path” and engaging in slow travel to reduce the negative impacts of travel.

Use Travel to Improve Your Relationships

• Sharing travel adventures strengthens relationships. 
• Be mindful in choosing who you travel with since not every friend will also be a good travel companion.
• Modify how you share your travel experiences to match your travel companion’s love language. 
• If your partner doesn’t want to travel, take things slowly to help them adjust or find alternative travel companions. 
• Good communication, respect, cooperation, and compromise help to avoid conflict when traveling with a group. 

Travel as a Way to Engage with History, Heritage, and Culture

• Travel can help us preserve history and deepen our understanding of the past. 
• Independent travel allows you to search for your family’s roots. 

Pro tip: Many people see travel as something separate from “real life,” but travel can enhance our relationships and lives beyond just the travel experience itself.

Travel creates opportunities to grow individually and to enhance our relationships. Being a brave, wise traveler adds to both our travel adventures and our day-to-day lives.

Sandi McCoy Kramos Clinical Psychologist

Sandi McCoy Kramos is a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate from the University of Virginia and over 30 years of experience as a therapist. She is also a lifelong traveler with years of experience planning and implementing individual travel adventures for herself and family and friends. When asked why she started this blog, Sandi said, "Over the years I've realized that when people say they want to travel but don't actually do it, it's often their own insecurities and lack of knowledge that get in the way. I want to give individuals the knowledge they need to actually make their travel dreams come true."

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