Why You Need to Travel

Good morning!

I hope this finds you well.

Welcome to another edition of The Matt Viera Newsletter.

The newsletter with the goal to inspire you to invest in life experiences.

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Going on vacation is one thing.

A beach weekend. An all-inclusive resort. A quick family trip to Disney World.

Those are familiar. Those are easy. Those are comfortable.

But traveling to a destination far from home?

A destination where the language you speak is not the primary language?

A destination that requires you to navigate uncertainty, discomfort, and unfamiliar customs?

That's something else entirely.

And that's probably why most people stick to what they know.

The familiar is easy. Easy is safe. And safe is the path of least resistance.

You know what to expect, how to get there, what you'll eat, and how to communicate.

There are no surprises, no real challenges.

Just rest, routine, and a return ticket home.

But some of the most transformative experiences in life don't happen in familiar places.

They happen when you step outside your comfort zone.

They happen when you step into the unknown.

Last week, I had a great conversation with two friends.

Most of it centered around travel (past trips, future plans, dream destinations).

But what stood out most were three things they said that echoed what I've experienced myself.

1. There is no wrong way to travel.

Some people love backpacking, others love cruise ships or five-star hotels, and some even like sleeping in vans or tents.

There is no single "right" way to see the world.

What matters is that you go.

What matters is that you experience something new and open yourself up to another way of traveling, even if just for a little while.

Whether you're sipping coffee in a sidewalk cafe in Paris alone or exploring Utah's beauty on a cross-country road trip, your choices are valid.

Travel is deeply personal.

And it should be.

2. The world is far less scary than most people think.

We're conditioned by news cycles to see the world as dangerous, chaotic, and unpredictable.

And yes, bad things happen.

But in my experience, most people worldwide are kind, helpful, and proud of their home.

They want to share their culture with you. They want to help when you're lost. And they often go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

The more you travel, the more you realize people everywhere are more alike than different.

3. If you feel even a hint of curiosity about a destination, go.

That tug of curiosity you feel?

That's your future self calling you forward.

If you feel drawn to a destination, even if it feels intimidating or you’re unsure how it will all work out, go anyway.

Because what you'll find is that you are capable. You are resourceful. You are more adaptable than you think.

And the fears you had before you left?

They almost always fade within the first 48 hours.

And once you prove that you can handle the unfamiliar, you seek more experiences that challenge and help you grow.

The momentum builds.

What's the point of all this?

The point is that growth doesn't happen in your comfort zone.

It happens when you stretch and choose adventure over routine.

When you risk discomfort in the name of discovery.

We only get one shot at life.

And while there's nothing wrong with relaxing vacations, they don't often lead to personal breakthroughs that shape who you are.

Travel that challenges you (mentally, emotionally, culturally) changes you.

It makes you more confident, compassionate, and connected to the world.

It also teaches you something crucial: you can do hard things.

You can navigate unfamiliar streets. You can communicate without knowing the language. You can thrive outside the bubble of what's comfortable.

Final Thought

The next time you find yourself drawn to a destination that feels just beyond your comfort zone, lean in.

Book the flight. Step into the unknown. Trust yourself to figure it out.

Because once you do, you'll never be the same.

And that's the point.

The world is waiting.

The world is too beautiful not to explore.

Don't let comfort be the reason you never explore and experience its beauty.

Quote that caught my attention:

“IN THE END…We only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.”

―Lewis Carroll

Please check out my friend’s respective websites…

For my friend Marc, you can check out his website by clicking here.

For my friend Kate, you can check out her website by clicking here.

You can find the collection of financial tools & resources that helped me grow from a 6-figure debt to a 6-figure net worth by clicking here.

Thanks for reading!

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