Ever since I was little, I’ve loved the outdoors. I loved the mountains, the oceans, lakes and streams, the sunsets, and the natural beauty that’s anywhere if you just look for it.I love adventure, what’s unknown, and all of the excitement that comes with it; however, I wasn’t always as outgoing as I am now. So what I’ll tell you is this: it can be weird and nerve racking to go new places sometimes, but sometimes things that push us the farthest are the ones that push us grow the most. You’ve got to get comfortable with the uncomfortable in order to grow. Step out of your comfort zone. Travel. Experience the world.

I have been blessed with numerous opportunities to travel to places near and far throughout my life.I believe it is crucial to do things for yourself in order to take care of yourself, and one of my favorite ways to do this is to travel. Whether that be a short walk, a long drive, or flying to another country, do whatever you can to experience the world; take advantage of any opportunity you can grab to find adventures that feed your soul. You’ll learn so much not only about yourself, but also the world we inhabit.

Recently, I’ve been able to travel a lot out to the west and it’s been such a wonderful experience. I took a trip to Nevada to see my friend in Las Vegas, and was afforded the opportunity to travel to Arizona, Utah, and California as well. I had never seen mountains so tall, canyons, the desert, or anything like it ever before in my life and I was taken aback. Everything about my trip was great for my soul; camping in the desert, exploring the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, Sedona, Zion National Park, and of course driving the Pacific Coast highway and finding secluded beaches.The vast openness and beauty of everything surrounding me completely amazed me, and I hope that everyone can find time and take a chance to go out West to live it for themselves. Personally, this trip helped me regain some perspective on my life. I was able to take time to reflect, and remember who I am and what I love doing in my free time.That is why I’m such a big proponent of traveling because it really helps you hit the refresh button and put things in perspective. The world is so big, and the best part of experiencing the it is the not only observing different landscapes, lifestyles, and cultures, but also making new friends and learning more about yourself in the process.

If you ever get the chance to travel anywhere, whether it’s to a place close to home or somewhere farther away, take it. It doesn’t always need to cost a ton of money either! Imagine your ideal adventure, allow your self to be spontaneous and see what you find. My advice is to save some money, set flight alerts or plan a drive, budget out your expenses, find a friend to stay with or camp somewhere, put away your phone and just escape for a little bit. Go grab any opportunity you can, do everything you can possibly do to better yourself, the world, and those around you.