Ezey Duru

why does travel matter?

How have you lived in your home state for more than 20 years of your life, and have never gone out of the country, or let alone out of the state. I just had a class where my professor asked us this and said that 60% of Americans live in their birth state and never leave it. I understood this because this used to be me. But now I realize what was holding me back, the fear of starting my own life.

Here is a little story maybe we can relate. I was born and raised in Houston Texas, Four years ago, when I was graduating high school I thought I would be living there for four more years an hour away from the airport, never leaving the state or city, feeling trapped. If I hadn’t left to go to college in Boston, thanks to a QuestBridge scholarship, there is so much I would have missed out on. From going on a solo trip to Cancun, Mexico, as a 20-year-old woman, to studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, I’ve gained so many experiences, even with a tight budget, that I can’t wait to share.

Being able to start traveling for yourself, not for vacation, is a mindset. To me, it’s freedom: the opportunity to experience the world around me, learn about other cultures, languages, and ideals. It opens your mind to so many avenues.

What does traveling mean to you?

What is traveling for you? What is your current mindset and relationship with yourself? Are you worried or nervous about getting out of your comfort zone? Do you feel stuck? Do you know why? If these questions are making you think, I am here with you. I see you.

The first step to getting out of that comfort zone, which also depends on you, it can be a small start by going to a different city, or a medium start by going to a different state, or a large start by going to a different country.

I was 21 when I went to a different state for the first time (that I was conscious of and chose to do). I was feeling a bunch of emotions but when I got accustomed to my school, community, and city, I saw how amazing it was to be somewhere new. There were so many differences between leaving Houston and going to Boston. Houston is very flat and has so many highways. When I landed in Boston, I saw mountains and hills for the first time. It felt so weird, new, and exciting. I loved it.

Noticing the Little Differences

Another random fact: I saw a Dunkin’ Donuts on almost every corner after I landed. Bostonians are obsessed, I guess. Then again, it was also founded there, but still — I saw 15 in one day! In Houston, I barely saw one. It was so fun to notice the differences in culture, architecture, style, food, and so much more.

That first exposure was just the beginning of my travel frenzy. Once you start, you can’t stop, as some might say. After that, I started building up and seeing different states. I learned what hiking really was in Woodstock, New Hampshire, and saw what concrete jungles were made of in New York City. Then came my solo trip and European semester. The rest is history.

Getting Out of a Comfortable Mindset

The way to break out of your comfort zone starts with realizing how much more is in store for you. Understand that the city you’ve lived in all your life is just a small subset of this massive world. To put it in perspective: the Earth’s surface area is 196.9 million square miles, with a landmass of about 57 million square miles. If you’re from Houston, that’s less than 639 square miles (and that’s on the larger side for a city). Boston? Just 48.4 square miles.

Do you see the point? There’s so much more out there. It’s definitely hard to imagine yourself in a different place if you’ve never been, but that’s okay. Taking small steps to get where you want is key.

Visualizing the Experience

Visualize what traveling means to you. What do you want to gain from the experience? Is it feeling empowered to live your life for yourself? Meeting someone new with a different perspective? Living in a different daily flow than you’re used to? Learning about the rich history and culture of a city? Trying the amazing food that the city offers?

What’s Holding You Back?

When you identify what’s holding you back, I know you will be able to live a life with more freedom and happiness. The world is waiting for you to explore it.

Traveling is more than just a physical journey; it’s a mindset shift that brings freedom, perspective, and empowerment. Whether you take small steps by exploring a nearby city or a giant leap by visiting another country, every experience adds value. So, ask yourself: What’s holding you back? Once you take that first step, the world opens up in ways you never imagined. Start small, dream big, and let the journey transform you.

Let me know in the comments what fear you want to break through of and why you want to travel and experience your world?