Here are all the unhinged reasons/ excuses why you should travel

I used to travel quite a bit, but it’s been a while since I last travelled.

Not exactly because I don’t want to — but maybe I’ve been coming up with too many excuses not to.

Too busy with work. Too expensive. Too much planning involved, etc.

But so many people are sharing about their recent trips over conversations and on their Instagram, which makes me wonder why am I not catching the travel bug?

If you’re like me, instead of giving excuses not to travel, I’m going to try to convince you (and me) to make a trip out of Singapore this year. At least one, not too difficult right?

Reason #1: Why not?

Challenging the status quo can be a good place to start.

Too expensive?

I’ve done a little research. There are low-cost carrier offerings to many cities in China, such as Shenyang, Tianjin, Qingdao, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Fuzhou, Shantou, Kunming, Nanning, Haikou and Guangzhou.

Too busy?

Work never ends and leave days will expire if we don’t use them. So make time.

Too much planning involved?

You don’t have to really plan if you are going to cities like Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, or Seoul because there are so many places to explore, eat and shop.

So shall we just go?

Reason #2: Be our own boss (even if it’s for a few days)

Are you, like me, sick and tired of your boss?

I cannot get rid of mine, and I doubt you can get rid of yours.

But we can always get ourselves out of the office and enjoy the “green pastures” overseas, even if it’s just for a few days.

How? Take leave now and book a flight. Fly to Bali where you can immerse yourself in nature where you can make better connections without wifi.

Or really, just do whatever you want outside of the country.

Turn off your phone and laptop and just go off the grid.

For one day or more, we can be our own boss.

Reason #3: Embark on a soul-searching journey (not the supernatural kind)

For some reason, “soul searching” can be difficult in a crowded and fast-paced city like Singapore. Why not try finding your soul overseas?

Here’s what I've done before: Go to Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, find a spot with a view and just do nothing but watch the endless number of people and marvel at the grand scale of the universe and our place within it.

Or join the crowd and cross the junction repeatedly just for the plot.

If you cannot find meaning in life at the end of the day, at least you can enjoy some good Japanese food.

Who knows, maybe the boss of the ramen shop you randomly found could be a master at helping you square those circles.

Reason #4: You fell off the bed, formed a close connection with the ground, and decided that you would like to embrace Mother Nature

I think a bad day might be a good enough reason.

Like waking up on the wrong side of the bed.

By the way, if people say there’s no wrong side of the bed, they’re lying. Trust me, the underside of the bed is definitely the wrong side.

On a serious note, if you want to be “wowed” by the greatness of Mother Nature, there are lots of places in our region with a sight to behold like the beaches at Lombok, mountains like Mount Agung in Bali, and reefs in Sibu, Malaysia.

Visiting these places and taking in the sights and sounds might make your day better.

Reason #5: Just go for it

To be honest, there are a million and one reasons to travel.

With how interconnected the world is, it’s probably second nature to want to travel somewhere.

And if you don’t travel to see certain places, they may not be available or the same anymore in the future.

Want to see the Great Barrier Reef? Go before it's gone.

Miss that snack you had at a Taiwanese night market years ago? Go and find out whether it’s still there.

Want to meet your favourite K-pop idol, actor, or attend a concert? Just go for it.

“I’ll do it next time” will always be “next time” if you don’t try to do it now.

Shall we just go?

This branded article is brought to you by the Changi Airport Group.

Cover photo from Canva.