Ticket to Happy: Finding Happiness Through Travel

om suastiastu / hello!

Tonight I write to you from a villa in the middle of the jungle on the picturesque island of Nusa Penida, an island off the southeast coast of Bali. The smell of patchouli wafts through the air as crickets and frogs chirp all around me. My muscles ache from a long day spent on a scooter riding through breathtaking roads and hiking to incredible viewpoints. The air is heavy with humidity but it beats the frigid winter at home in Ohio. It’s a peace that is hard to come by, and I’m happy to be writing again after a busy trip so far.

I’ve officially been gone from the States for 3 weeks and time has flown by. In that time I’ve wandered around Bali and explored rice paddies, a monkey forest, volcanoes, beaches, and these islands. I’ve made amazing friends and gone on adventures and further travels with them.

Although time has flown by here, it’s amazing how easy it is to take it all in. I find myself unencumbered by any stress and free to live entirely in the moment. I’m not on any schedule with the exception of my flight out of the country when my visa ends. With no strict plans and an openness to try whatever opportunities arise, I feel an incredible sense of freedom. With the endless amount of time I find myself with, I’m able to think about my life, the world and where I want to go.

Though I enjoyed my time working a corporate career and building a successful life for myself in the States, I’m starting to realize how crazy I was to think that it was ever right for me. What sense is building up a savings account if you’re doing something that makes you unhappy? Don’t get me wrong – I have amazing friends and family at home that I miss dearly. But the truth is I felt a need to explore the world and couldn’t keep up the facade of happiness I had been living in.

As we rode around the island today, almost every local smiled at us and waved. Kids raised their hands for a high-five and got so excited to see us. Elderly men and women walking home from a long day spent working in the fields stopped to say hello. Many of these people live in fairly simple homes with not much more space than is necessary. While their lives may be comparably simple, the feeling of happiness that these people emanated was palpable.

Beyond the locals, the other travelers I meet on the road have been some of the most interesting, happy people that I’ve ever come across. These are people from all over the world, with different backgrounds and paths, but the longing for travel led them here. Many have sold all of their possessions, left their jobs, and booked a one-way ticket just like me. It’s refreshing to be surrounded by like-minded people aspiring to see more of the world and take it all in.

Through my various travels and experiences, I’ve come to realize that happiness really is what you alone define it to be. No one can tell you what will make you happier. Society can say that a great job, comfortable home, and a nice car can provide happiness – but that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. I simply realized that the “dream” I was living wasn’t what I wanted, and decided to stray a bit from the norm in pursuit of happiness. I find pure joy in the conversations had with locals, the awe-inspiring beauty this world has to offer, and the feeling that I’ve only just cracked the surface.

I don’t mean this post to be self-righteous or to say that a ticket to happiness is one that takes you across the world. But as my thoughts shift and my life becomes much more simple, I can’t help but think that everyone deserves to find what makes them truly happy. I know far too many people that wish they were able to travel or do something more fulfilling, but feel held back by a job or mortgage. After realizing I was unhappy, I started saving, worked hard for a bit, and bought a cheap flight ticket.

So, here’s to finding a little slice of happiness halfway across the world. I hope those of you reading are doing what makes you happy – and if not, I hope you find a way to do so soon.