Today seems like a good day to start. That’s how many great projects begin, I’m told. That’s how many great travels begin as well. That’s why I decided to start this travel blog site, PsychologyOfTravel.com, to help you explore the reasons why we travel…and how to do it better. I don’t plan to go out of my way to highlight my doctorate in psychology as hopefully the writing and resources will be meaningful without having to tout my credentials and qualifications.
With that said, travel is both a personal journey and a fantastic social adventure, and I do want you to know a little about my qualifications as to how you could benefit from reading these travel blogs. More specifically, I’d like for you to know how this travel blog is different from the (literally) tens of thousands of travel blogs out there. By connecting my training in psychology (If I do the math, I essentially completed the 22nd grade…ugh.) with my love for travel, we can look for the root of what drives us to travel as well as ways to make every aspect of your travel experience more fun, safe, and memorable.
What does psychology of travel mean? Put simply, psychology of travel refers to the mental, emotional, and behavioral ways that people experience the act of traveling. It can include motivation, decisions during travel, managing stress when traveling, cultural influences and reactions, and the actions we take in planning and going on travels.
I hope to write about almost all aspects of travel, and will of course touch on helpful mental approaches along the way. From Airports to Zebra safaris, if it has to do with the experience of traveling, I’m on it. You might be surprised to learn of ways that you can spend time between flights, or ways to help relive and extend those amazing moments when you were face to face with wild zebras! I’m also planning to write about location guides with a focus less on the “what” like so many other destination guides, but rather focus on the “how” to go about things to maximize your travel enjoyment. Methods of transportation including planes, trains, RV’s, boats and cruises, and automobiles will certainly be included as well. There will be content for solo adventurers, family and group travelers, and those who quite frankly just don’t even know where to start. Which category do you fall in?
I’m looking forward to connecting with the travel community, including casual travelers, savvy experienced travelers, business travelers, ex-pats currently or formerly living abroad, and the travel blog community. There are certainly other travel experts out there (see here), other PhD’s in psychology as well, but I believe this site is unique in its combination of the mental aspects of travel and how I can help inform others to create the best travel experience possible.
Psychology of Travel is not about me though. It’s about us. And today seems like a good day to start. Thanks for starting together.
Happy Travels,
-Dr. L
Founder: PsychologyofTravel.com
I love the idea behind this blog because being a 12 year globe trotter changed my mind about life. I became stronger mentally, more aware and felt connected to life by circling the globe. Traveling forces fear upon you to face and forgive while feeling fun, freeing, peaceful and enlightening. No downsides, as far as I can see. Good job!
Ryan
Hi Ryan, thanks for the comment. I’m with you, so many awesome ways that travel can boost our mental health! Thanks for reading, enjoy your site bloggingfromparadise.com as well, and happy travels to you!
-Dr. L