Rediscovering Familiar Horizons: The Joy of Revisiting Travel Destinations

“I haven’t been anywhere, but it’s on my list,” Susan Sontag famously expressed this emotion, resonating with homeless people around the world. However, when we check the destination on our travel list, we often overlook the value of returning to the places we have already explored. If you are hesitant to revisit your old travel destination and worry that it may waste time, let me provide you with a new perspective that may change your mindset.

“THAILAND Revisited EP1” shared by YouTube channel: Karl Watson: Travel Documentaries

The Significance of Returning to Familiar Places

Returning to the place you have been before is not just a repetitive experience; This is an opportunity to see how much you have grown. Nelson Mandela’s words, “There is nothing better than returning to a unchanging place and searching for ways to change yourself,” are correct for many experienced travelers. My own trip to Thailand is a testament. At first, I saw Thailand as a playground for young backpackers, but on my second visit, I sought deeper cultural connections. I have found that besides my youthful pursuit of pleasure, this country has more to offer. Thailand has not changed, but I have changed. This is a beautiful understanding.

One more special experience of returning home is feeling like you’re on an adventure. For example, the familiar alleyways of the Old Quarter in Hanoi, the banh mi vendor, and my favorite vegetarian vermicelli noodles are places I find comfort. Because I feel like I belong here and can navigate the city with ease, I get to enjoy the city on a deeper level than someone who is here for the first time.

Another motivation to revisit locations you’ve been is that the world is changing quickly and you want to be a part of that experience. My beloved Colombia has undergone tremendous change in recent years. It has been immensely satisfying to watch its transformation from a country plagued by civil upheaval to a rapidly growing tourism attraction. Returning allows you to share in the destination’s evolution and development.

There are additional benefits to going back to a familiar location beyond what is immediately apparent. In search of a more genuine experience, I skipped the crowded Wat Doi Suthep during my second visit to Chiang Mai. I went to the temple at first light, sharing the sunrise with monks instead of tourists, after renting a scooter. Without my first visit’s assurance and knowledge, this would not have been possible.

Resist letting fear control you. We sometimes avoid going back to locations we’ve loved because we’re afraid of ruining beautiful memories. But as the Dalai Lama says, “Go someplace you’ve never been before once a year.” This suggests, in my opinion, that each visit is distinct because you and the location are ever-changing. Upon my return, Hanoi continued to be beautiful, providing me with new experiences and friendships.

The appeal of returning to the same location is that it provides a wealth of knowledge and insight. It is a gift that never ends. Consider a location in Wisconsin that I frequently travel to with my family. Every visit offers insightful thoughts on personal development and corresponds with several stages of my life. This is the reason I support travel journaling—it facilitates the discovery of these insights. If you’ve read thus far, I encourage you to begin this journey of travel-based self-improvement by downloading a FREE travel diary template.

“Wat Phra That Doi Suthep” by Jorge Lascar is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The Value of Revisiting for Personal Growth

Traveling to the same place multiple times is like rereading a good book. Every visit reveals new levels and insights. This is not just about the destination; This is about you experiencing a new version of it. That’s why revisiting the same place can become a profound exercise in self-awareness.

You don’t need to walk long distances or spend a lot of money to get these benefits. Traveling to your favorite daily destination or revisiting your childhood community is equally inspiring. This is a mindset that self-improvement travel does not necessarily have to be expensive or distant.

Whether you are an experienced traveler or someone who enjoys occasional vacations, you should consider the value of returning to the place you have been to. This is not to add a description of whether you should revisit the destination. This is about recognizing personal growth and the realization that comes with it. This is about traveling as a form of self-improvement, and it’s about looking at familiar things with fresh eyes.

Here’s the free download I mentioned earlier. You can use the travel notebook template as a tool to think back on your experiences and appreciate the beauty of going back to a location. It serves as a tool for developing self-awareness and as motivation to learn more about the world and oneself. Try it out, see for yourself, and feel free to comment whether you would go back to the same location. Can you see the advantages? Have you grown personally as a result of your frequent visits? Together, let’s carry on the discussion and discover the world, both old and new.