{"id":183705,"date":"2019-11-04T10:06:34","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T18:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=183705"},"modified":"2019-11-04T10:21:00","modified_gmt":"2019-11-04T18:21:00","slug":"why-traveling-will-make-you-happier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/04\/why-traveling-will-make-you-happier\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Traveling will Make You Happier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Get free inspiration on ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER ><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I was 18 years old, and first picked up a camera, it was my personal ambition to travel the world. I had romantic notions of traveling the world like Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a>, taking beautiful photographs of everywhere I went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Mexico
Mexico City, 2019 #cindyproject<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now nearly a decade+ later (I am 31 years old), I have traveled much. I have lived like a a ‘digital nomad<\/a>‘, and have followed tenants of Zen<\/a>, Taoism<\/a>, and minimalism<\/a> with great effect. I am certainly MUCH HAPPIER now than I was when I was 21 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, the question is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will traveling make me happier?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I think so. But let me explain a bit more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We are happiest when we are ‘uncomfortable’<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Mexico
Mexico City, 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is why I believe traveling will make you happier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe there is something in the human genome which delights in stress, uncertainty, and chaos.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to what modern thinkers tell us, no — we humans don’t desire comfort, stability, and basic hedonic pleasure. This line of thinking has been indoctrinated to us ever since we were kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Our parents encouraging us to get ‘safe’ and ‘stable’ jobs (which make a lot of money)<\/li>
  2. To be ‘careful’ when playing on the playground <\/li>
  3. To strive to one day own a home, save for retirement, an the such.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    Plan a trip today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"travel
    TRAVEL NOTES: Mobile Edition<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    There are already SO MANY places you can travel to (on the cheap). As an American, I like using Kayak.com, Priceline.com, Google Flights, and Spirit.com to look for cheap flights. For us Europeans, we can use RyanAir, Easyjet, and other budget airlines. In Asia, I like AirAsia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The myth is that traveling is expensive. It can be done on the cheap (how I prefer it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also, you don’t need to travel internationally to have a great time and experience. You can travel locally (you don’t even need to fly, you can take the bus, metro, or drive yourself).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The basic notion is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Spend a chunk of time (1-2 weeks) to make yourself intentionally uncomfortable, in order to re-awaken your inner-artist and creative genius.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    My favorite places<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Selfie
    Selfie with Cindy in Mexico City (at hipster bar)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    If you need inspiration, some ideas (no particular order, just the first places which pop into my mind):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    North America:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"New
    New Orleans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    1. New Orleans<\/li>
    2. Chicago<\/li>
    3. Portland<\/li>
    4. Austin<\/li>
    5. Vancouver<\/li>
    6. San Francisco<\/li>
    7. New York<\/li>
    8. Mexico City<\/a><\/li>
    9. Montreal<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Europe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \"Prague,
      Prague, 2018 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      1. Prague<\/li>
      2. Berlin<\/a><\/li>
      3. Lisbon<\/li>
      4. London<\/li>
      5. Paris<\/li>
      6. Marseille<\/li>
      7. Stockholm<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Asia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \"Hanoi,
        Hanoi, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        1. Hanoi (Vietnam)<\/li>
        2. Saigon (Vietnam)<\/li>
        3. Dalat (Vietnam)<\/li>
        4. Tokyo<\/li>
        5. Kyoto<\/li>
        6. Osaka<\/li>
        7. Seoul<\/li>
        8. Busan<\/li>
        9. Hong Kong<\/li>
        10. Mumbai<\/li>
        11. Melbourne<\/li>
        12. Sydney<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Middle-East<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \"Istanbul
          Istanbul<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
          1. Istanbul<\/li>
          2. Dubai<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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            TRAVEL HACKS to inspire, motivate, and encourage you!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \"Travel
            Travel Notes (Print Edition)<\/a> and Travel Notes (Mobile Edition)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            For more motivation, inspiration, and travel hacks, pickup a copy of TRAVEL NOTES (Print Edition)<\/a>. Or if you prefer more mobile living, get a copy of TRAVEL NOTES (Mobile Edition)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            Share your best travel photos on ARS!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"
            Screenshot from arsbeta.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            For honest feedback and critique on your travel photos, upload them to arsbeta.com<\/a> (and also critique the works of others, to help them improve as well!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Start uploading your photos to arsbeta.com<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"
            Screenshot from arsbeta.com<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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            Words of encouragement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

            You’re an artist. As a photographer, you’re primarily a ‘visual artist<\/a>‘, meaning, you use your camera as your paintbrush and sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Pride yourself in being an artist. And treat your photo-making as your artistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            As an artist, you don’t need to “explain” yourself. You don’t need to explain why<\/em> you make photos to anyone else (but yourself). You make art because it is fun, enjoyable, and gives you the great stimulus to life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Keep making photos! Best is to upload them to your own website\/blog. Second best is to upload them to arsbeta.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Shoot on!
            \nERIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            2020 ERIC KIM Workshops<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            Experiences never die:<\/p>\n\n\n\n