Travelers with an Attitude of Gratitude

Last year here at Gypsy With a Day Job we celebrated Thanksgiving by bringing a collection of new travel writers together to share how they believe their travels have increased their thankfulness.  Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, but it is also about tradition. We believe this is a great way for us to build our own Thanksgiving tradition, and one that readers can look forward to. We have no problem embracing a corny catch phrase, so this year we are happy with the name Travelers with an Attitude of Gratitude.

Thanksgiving may be an American term and holiday, but the idea of Thanksgiving is rather universal.  Around the world there are holidays and occasions that center around appreciating and celebrating our bounty, and almost every religion has fundamental practices based around giving thanks in one way or another.  In popular culture, an “attitude of gratitude” has become a common saying, and while we just called it a corny, such an attitude increase our happiness and inner peace, but it also magnifies all that we have.

Diversity and differences are essential to gratitude, and because of this, traveling increases our attitude of gratitude.  Being exposed to different cultures, customs and lifestyles, makes it so much easier to recognize and understand all that we have to appreciate within our own.  With each trip we take, we realize more how true this is, and how much we have to be thankful for. Travels sometime put even the smallest things into a new light.  Lets see what that means to this year’s travel writers…

Travelers with an Attitude of Gratitude!

Lora, of Explore With Lora

Travel has made me a more thankful person by building confidence in myself and reminding me of the good that exists in the world.

After a year full of grief and heartbreak, I felt more alone than ever. Everyday I’d wake up with a knot in the bottom of my stomach because my world fell apart, and I didn’t know how to piece it back together. I decided then that I would go travel for a year. I couldn’t think of a reason to stay, so I picked up the pieces and left.

I remember the first day of my trip. I felt scared. I was crying. I didn’t know if I made the right choice. And then I met some  travelers who forced me out from my pity party to go have some fun. It made a world of difference. From that day on, I’ve met so many incredible people who opened my eyes to new perspectives. It amazes me how I can show up anywhere in the world alone, and by the time I’m leaving I’m saying sad good byes. Every time I need a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on, someone is there for me.

I’ve been on the road for almost a year now, and I don’t have that knot in my stomach anymore. I have a confidence that I never thought was possible. I don’t feel scared because I know I can get through any situation. I don’t feel alone, because I know there’s a beautiful world full of wonderful people out there just waiting to be met.

Travel allowed me to pick up my broken pieces and build them back together into something stronger. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Lora is a Canadian travel blogger on a quest to explore every country in the world and discover the best nature and wildlife that the planet has to offer. You can explore the world with Lora on her website, Explore with Lora.  You can also find her on Instagram.

Eden, of Rock a Little Travel

This past year has been filled with visits to more bucket list destinations than I ever thought possible. Looking back, I feel so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given to see the world. When I was young my family did not travel much. I was, for the most part, raised by a single mom. She worked hard to support me and my sister on her own so vacations were not a priority. Back then, I dreamed about taking the vacations my elementary school classmates always talked about, or one day visiting the far-away places I saw on television.

As I grew up, I made it a priority to find a job that would allow me to travel. Unfortunately, I made many mistakes along the way and struggled financially for many years. I became unemployed during the last recession and decided to use that opportunity to go back to school. Within a year of finishing graduate school, I landed that job that would change my life.

I now have a career I love that pays well and comes with lots of vacation time.  Over the last few years I’ve had the opportunity to visit many of those places I used to dream about.  While I know I worked hard to get here, it never escapes me how lucky I am. I’m thankful for each trip I get to take. I often find myself reflecting back on how hard life used to be and how far I’ve come. For me, seeing a new place for the first time never gets old. Having lived the life I’ve lived, I’m grateful to know, it never will.

Eden is a travel blogger based in Los Angeles. She runs the blog Rock a Little Travel, which promotes the benefits of part-time travel for full-time workers. Her goal is to inspire others to stop making excuses and start planning that trip of a lifetime.   You can also find her on Instagram.

Keri, of Quiet Girl Loud World

Travel is something that I honestly took for granted as a child, and then when I started traveling as an adult it became something very special. When you are young, and your parents take you to new and interesting places, it fills you with so much excitement, but it seems normal if you are lucky enough to have parents who take you on fun vacations like I do. As I grew older, I realized that not everyone travels, and not everyone has that desire to see the world.

I will always be grateful to my parents who taught me to love travel. I am so thankful to be passionate about seeing the world. It has made me a more open-minded, adventurous, and caring individual. I am also thankful to all the people who I have met abroad who have taught me that there is kindness in every corner of the world regardless of our differences.

Travel has taught me to appreciate what I have, as not everyone in the world has the same opportunities that I do. I have visited countries that are still developing and met people with less than I and yet still filled with happiness. Travel has opened my eyes and inspired me in so many ways that I will never stop being thankful. With every new destination I become more and more thankful that I am alive in this beautiful world filled with exquisite landscapes, incredible architecture, and compassionate people.

Keri is the creator of Quiet Girl Loud World. This travel blog aspires to help quiet travelers like myself confidently experience the world one destination at a time.  You can also find her on Instagram.

Laura, of Blue Eyed Compass

I often remind myself to sit down and re-visit the things that I am most thankful for, and a recurring one is my ability and passion for traveling.  It is incredibly rewarding to be able to jump on a plane, train or in a car and go explore a place that is totally new to you. Having adventures like these has taught me so many wonderful and equally challenging life lessons.

We’re currently living in a world where there seems to be quite a bit of separation.  The ‘them’ and ‘us’ dialogues. Seeing how others live around the world and learning about cultures and history that is new to me is both humbling and gratifying.  These travel experiences have helped open my mind to blur those lines of differentiation. It has also instilled a lust to learn more; more about the world, learn about others, history and ways that I can help create a positive impact on the places that I visit.  Traveling has also provided an opportunity to meet other individuals who enjoy traveling. We’re able to swap stories, share travel tips for destinations new to us and feel that we have friends around the world.

Additionally, my travels have helped to build a higher standard of self motivation, growth and patience for myself and those I travel with.  It takes quite a bit of effort to plan a trip and to wake up before the sun rises to watch the magic of the day unfold over a city. Personal growth and patience came from the few times that flights were delayed, moments stranded at train stations or hotels loosing bookings and continuing to move forward instead of focusing on only the negative.

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect and consider what we are most thankful for, and while I have many blessings in life to be grateful for, I am most grateful for the lessons learned and self growth developed while traveling.

Laura is the creator of the sustainable travel blog, Blue Eyed Compass.  She focuses on capturing the beauty of places through photography and enjoys helping others to make travel decisions that are best for the planet.  You can also find her on Instagram.  

Michelle, of Full Time Explorer

Traveling has opened my eyes to all of the things I used to take for granted. It’s amazing what living on the other side of the world will teach you to be thankful for. Even the most basic things seem revolutionary to me these days. I did a high altitude trek in Nepal and learned to be grateful for oxygen. Yes, I said oxygen. At a silent retreat in Thailand, I was taught the importance of appreciating every step. I paced back and forth for hours while focusing on what it’s like to take a single step. I’ve also learned to be so grateful for filtered tap water. It feels kind of magical to me now. Seriously, where does it come from? Oh, and bathrooms with soap and without tarantulas. Just kidding, kind of.

Mostly, I’ve learned to be thankful for the kindness of strangers. Over the last two years, so many incredible people have taken me under their wing and looked out for me. Whether it was the girls in a dorm room who brought me water and bananas when I was too sick to move, or the man who spoke no English and gave me tea when I was lost. The world is a beautiful place, and I’m so thankful that I get to see new parts of it every day.

Michelle ditched the hustle and bustle of New York City life, strapped on a backpack and started to travel through Asia. Read about what it’s like to trade five-inch stilettos for squat toilets at Full Time Explorer.  You can also find her on Instagram.

Adam, of Wanderwayer

Traveling has made me thankful in too many ways to count. Every day I’m on the road, I feel fortunate for what I’ve seen, done, and learned. I’m fortunate for the people I’ve met who have had the greatest inspirational influence on my life. And most importantly, I’m thankful for the friendships it has brought me.

“While traveling alone, you’re never really alone.” Many people told me this, but I never imagined it could be as true as it is. Not only will you not be alone, but you’ll befriend some of the most interesting people of your life from all walks of this planet.

I am thankful that I have learned that people are good. With so many things going wrong in the world, traveling has taught me that people are good at their core. It has taught me an element of trust that I wouldn’t have otherwise. It has taught me to share with others – not because it will benefit me but because somewhere out there, someone is willing to share with me.

Travel has taught me more than I can write in a few words – I’d need a book to capture the gist. One thing is certain; traveling is the most thankful thing of my life.

Adam J. Cheshier is a travel writer and explorer who created Wanderwayer. Check out his debut travel novel, Summer of ‘92.  You can also find him on Instagram.  

James, of Travel Collecting

Travelling to developing countries has definitely made me more aware of what I have and be thankful for it.  Many people in this world have an extremely hard life living from day-to-day, just trying to ensure they have enough to eat for themselves and their families.  I am extremely lucky that I was born and live in countries that have provided me with the opportunity to earn enough money not only to have a comfortable life, but also to travel and see the world.  I am extremely thankful that I have this opportunity.

I am also extremely thankful that I have a passport (two, actually) from countries that enable me to travel easily.  I have met many people on my travels who would love to travel and see places outside their countries, but even if they saved enough money, their passports wouldn’t allow them to travel freely.  Seeing first hand the persecution that gay people suffer in many countries also makes me thankful that I live in a country that allows me to marry my husband and to be free from persecution for being gay.  

I think in general, travel just raises a huge mirror and shows me what I have and makes me appreciate all of it.  Contrast raises awareness. Seeing the reality of other people’s lives raises awareness. And from awareness comes gratitude and thankfulness.

James Ian has traveled to almost 80 countries and 7 continents, and has lived in six countries.  Through his blog Travel Collecting, he helps people have meaningful travel experiences by providing inspiration and the practical information needed to turn that inspiration into reality.   You can also find him on Pinterest.  

Little Jo, of Tea and Cake for the Soul

I’ve never been one for the material things in life, much preferring kind acts rather than physical gifts. Travel just takes that one step further and makes you appreciate the company of those you are with and the natural environment so much more.

I feel very fortunate that we are able to travel, funded by hard work and living frugally the rest of the time. We use air miles to help towards flight costs and participate in mostly free activities alongside the occasional tourist must-do. Our biggest passion is travel in California USA.

We love that we can visit the beach to watch the sunrise, drive an hour or two to explore the mountains and lakes, and be back in time to watch the sunset on that same beach by teatime. Nature is so beautiful. I’ve seen a coyote on the side of the road, eagles soaring in the sky, pelicans on the beach, been a couple of metres away from sharks in the sea and seen dolphins and seals close up from the shoreline.

We’ve driven through deserts, woods, red rocks and canyons and cliff-tops with sea views. We’ve seen beautiful beaches and species of plants and trees that we’d never see at home. Each experience is humbling. We are such a tiny part of this huge beautiful world.

I feel blessed to experience this, and even more so to be able to experience all this with my husband. To enjoy what’s around you and just being with someone is truly an amazing experience and one for which I am truly grateful.

Tea and Cake for the Soul is a lifestyle blog encompassing the nicer things in life – travel, books, music, cake with tips for health, travel and home. It also shares ideas for helping the environment and promoting kindness.  You can also find them on Twitter.

Crystal, of Wandering Crystal

Traveling has made me a more thankful person by introducing me to a world of new people, new cultures, new languages and new experiences. In 2009, I challenged myself by moving to a country I had never been to – to live as a local for a few years. I moved from my home country of Canada all the way to the stunningly historic Scotland. Opening myself up to a new life surrounded by another culture and a group of people with different views and an accent so thick I had difficulty understanding them.

I am so grateful that I gave myself this opportunity because it changed my perspective on my life. It made me understand that life is short and you need to do what makes you happy! Live your dreams and chase adventures!

I don’t know where my life would be if I hadn’t taken the step to move to Scotland for two years. I was able to work at Edinburgh Zoo and eat my lunch watching chimps, penguins and zebras! I met some of the best people I have ever met in my entire life. I gained lifelong friendships and I can’t imagine my life without them.

Traveling has shown me that we are all humans.  We are all alike, we are all people striving to live the best lives we can. Traveling has made me cherish all of the people I have met and the people who I will meet. Traveling has made me a better person.

Crystal is a Canadian travel enthusiast and dark tourist with a love of history, culture, and all things macabre. Crystal also enjoys discussing living abroad and why it is something everyone should do, on her website Wandering Crystal.   You can also find her on Instagram.   

Thomas, of TMoney Travels

I’m writing this on a bus right now. Road tripping from North Carolina to Mexico with my Mother and Stepfather. We’re almost to the US/Mexican border. We had over 2 months of delays because of mechanical issues and I was lucky enough to stay with my father (in Tennessee) for the duration. It reminds me of how lucky I am to have a family like this.

It also reminds me of another trip I took in 2015 – to hike the Camino de Santiago.

On that trip, I wasn’t so lucky. My stepfather hurt his legs just one week into our hike. I waited on him for a week to see if he would recover. Unfortunately, we found his legs were broken. He had to fly back to the US shortly thereafter. And I hiked the rest of Spain alone.

But now it’s different, we get another chance. A chance to have a road trip of a lifetime. Plugging away down the road, stopping at road side attractions here and there. Now I’ll get to show my mother some of the places I’ve been. Stories of these Mexican and Guatemalan towns will be realized. They aren’t just some far off fantasy, they’re real.

And without family I would never be able to do this.

When we get to Mexico –  we will all celebrate together. And while we probably won’t have turkey and stuffing, we will be just as thankful for the Modelo and chorizos.

Thomas is the author of TMoney Travels– the website on how to budget travel without a degree. He has volunteered in the amazon, hiked 500 miles across Europe and taught English for a year in Guatemala – all without a degree.  You can also find him on Facebook.  

Stehli, of Mommy and Kid Travel

Well-being. That is what makes me thankful.  I’m truly grateful for the exceptional health of my family.

When I was a kid, phrases like that would have little meaning.  But now they do.  As we grow older, we value our health more, and the health of those we love.  All the money in the world can’t change a broken hip or newly acquired illness.  If you or a travel partner is in poor health, you’re often times grounded – bound for a one-way trip to Cancellation City.

As my parents continue to age and as their friends begin to fall into poor health, I realize just how lucky we are for our family adventures.  Sure, they move a little slower, and my 10-year-old twins move a little faster, but somehow it all seems to work.   We appreciate having dinner in a new town or watching grandma cook up a masterpiece at our rented vacation homes.   This winter my mom plans to ski with us for the first time in 30 years. Talk about an epic family adventure! My kids squealed with delight, “Wow, I can’t wait to ride the chairlift with grandma and grandpa!”        

Physically and mentally being able to travel is a blessing, and I’m thankful my family’s fitness and strength will allow us to lay some fresh tracks and new adventures this winter.    

Stehli Krause is a new travel blogger who loves to find and explore family-friendly destinations.  Be sure to check out her new website Mommy and Kid Travel.  You can also find her on Instagram.  

Charlotte, of a Wandering Web

This past summer, my husband Darryl and I, had the opportunity to stay with relatives in Belgium. I had always thought it was so neat that Darryl had relatives overseas and I hoped that one day I would get to meet them.

We were on a 6-month excursion that took us through the Southern United States, Egypt, Jordan, Italy and up through Europe. We were homeless, nomadic and loving it! We spent the last month of our travels with relatives in Belgium. It was odd to be stationary for a month after going from place to place. It was a welcome change to settle down for a short while. We developed strong bonds with this new-found family. What wonderful people and how fortunate we were to spend this time to get to know them and their culture in their homes. –

Travel has made me a more thankful person because it has given me the opportunity to experience people in other countries and cultures. To encounter the Belgium kitchen through the family. To taste the world’s best beer with the people who live in the country. We celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. What a privilege. The opportunity to build relationships with people around the world is such a gift. I am thankful that we met a whole new family. Some of them spoke very little English but still treated us like royalty. One of the children even said (in Flemish, of course!), “I’ve never seen Canadians before!” And we think of ourselves as so ordinary! Travel breaks down barriers and builds bonds. Travel gives us the chance to share our culture with others. I am thankful I had the opportunity to be a part of their lives. We miss them and look forward to when we get to see them again.

A Wandering Web: Travels with Charlotte is a blog specializing in small-town travel with a focus on food, drink, history and photography. A Wandering Web encourages people to get out of the 9-5 work-life grind and realize their potential through travel.  You can also find Charlotte on Instagram.

Audrey, of See Geelong

Travel changes you in many ways. One of the most important ways it changed me, was to make me more appreciative of my own life and home.

This was especially true when we took a 13-month career break abroad. I think perhaps the longer and deeper you travel the more heartfelt those lessons of gratitude become.

It’s a little bit crazy, but travel makes you realise how wonderful your home is by showing you other people’s homes. And it’s not that your home is “better” in any way. It’s that travel helps you see it with new eyes.

It’s easy to take the things you see every day for granted. But when you come home from travelling you get to see it with fresh eyes. I had forgotten how beautiful our hometown’s waterfront is until we came home from our trip overseas. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder and this case it surely did.

I’ve flown in a helicopter over Victoria Falls, climbed a volcano, stood in awe of the Pyramids of Giza and ridden a camel into the Sahara desert.

But the truth is , it’s still nice to come home again.

Audrey is the creator of See Geelong, a website all about how to get the most out of the great city of Geelong in Australia. We show you the best places to stay, how to get around, where to eat and drink and everything else for the perfect Geelong holiday.  You can also find them on Facebook.

Suewan, of RTW Families

As a travelling mum/wife I feel like I have so much to be thankful for.

Perhaps the one thing I appreciate most this year is having the freedom to be with my family and to home school our daughter. We left our home and 9-5 life in 2016 to pursue a dream of travelling full-time. The past couple of years has been life-changing and I am thankful for so many things. Spending time together as a family and watching our daughter grow up is a huge blessing. We are so much closer now.

Being able to see how our daughter learns and being able to follow her interests is incredible. We love seeing her learn about all sorts of topics. She has learnt so much about the world around her, the different cultures we’ve lived in and the food, people, languages.

I am so thankful for having this chance to travel with my family.

Suewan is one of the creators of RTW Families, a website that provides useful advice and tips for families thinking of full time travel. We talk about nomadic life with kids and show you the reality of being a digital nomad family. You can also find them on Instagram.  

Khyati, of Naan & Challah 

“Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind, and fills your life with stories to tell.” In our time traveling, we’ve been blessed to see and experience so much. On every trip taken, we have come face to face with how much we have to be grateful for. Ironically, we return home with a desire to have less. Whether we’re struck by the beauty of nature, humbled by the kindness of strangers, moved by the grace of animals, or enriched by different cultures, all of those experiences have become a part of us. However, what we’re most grateful for is how it has opened our hearts and minds, feeling close to complete strangers living worlds away.

Apprivoise, in French, means to form a bond with one another; to become known to each through small moments. We have come into contact with countless individuals on our trips, with whom we’ve formed these bonds. We forged friendships with them quickly and, in those moments, their friendships were the only ones that mattered: a retired psychiatric nurse in Grenada, who delivers babies for free; a Zambian named Herbert introducing us to local soul food; a chef running a food speakeasy out of his garage in Rome, garnished with the most fragrant black pepper; a couple in Durban, South Africa taking us to Gandhi’s school; an Australian couple in Bosnia falling in love with our baby and joining us for dinner, a Sicilian practicing Reiki on us in Assisi; a passionate restauranteur in Santorini showing us a hundred year old oven that he still bakes in, and more.

These bonds, forged instantly though only for a brief time, are what we’re mostly grateful for, leaving imprints on our hearts long after the souvenirs have been discarded. These bonds have made us thankful for the innate human desire for connection.

Naan & Challah: AdVENTURE Out into the World is a YouTube video collection of our travel experiences locally and globally. We love how travel pushes and pulls us-pushes us out of our comfort zone, to learn new languages, to navigate new landscapes, to meet strangers, and pulls us to being more open-minded, more culturally aware, and more minimalistic.  You can also find them on YouTube.

Us, at Gypsy With a Day Job

Our travels in 2018 have brought gratitude for some of the smallest things, and a realization of some huge wonders of life, and humanity.  These are things we might never have been aware of, were it not for traveling.

Green grass and trees, sunshiny days, rainy days, and open spaces:  these are such small pleasures, but they are absent in some places, and we are thankful for them.  Drinking water from the tap, free public toilets, drive up ATMS: these are luxuries in life, and we are grateful we enjoy them.   

At the same time, the human spirit and its continuing renewal have filled us with awe and appreciation.  These are things we do not understand, but we appreciate them: that we can stand in a new location, and be brought to tears by the feeling that it is the most beautiful place we have ever seen, again and again;  that we feel at home thousands of miles away; that we can be perceived as a part of a new place, rather than tourists; that we can truly love, and be loved by, people who are thousands of miles away from us; that we have places where we are always welcomed around the world. How are these things even possible? We do not know, but we are grateful that they are.

We are incredibly thankful for you, our readers.  It is a great blessing to us that our travels not only expand our awareness of all that we have to be grateful for in our lives, but that the information we bring home can also help you in finding new places to go, and things to do when you get there.  We hope in some small way this helps you enrich your lives.  We hope that in even a smaller way, we help to make the world a better place, as this is our mission.

If you want more thoughts about travel and an attitude of gratitude, you can see what last years travel writers said about their travels and thankfulness.

Have your travels expanded your attitude of gratitude?