• Home
  • Making Memories Through Travel

Making Memories Through Travel

If you had asked me two years ago if I believed our lives would still be on hold as we waited for the pandemic to pass, I would have been in disbelief. It’s been two years without birthdays, family gatherings and wedding celebrations, and two years of not vacationing in warmer climates. I’ve always viewed these events as opportunities to make memories. 

After watching life slowly slip by for far too long, while putting life on hold waiting for restrictions to lift, we have made the unpopular decision to travel abroad once again. This is our brave next step to realizing the new normal. 

I was privileged enough to have many vacations with my family growing up. We pulled our trailer across the continent, visiting tourist attractions and cities I had learned about in school. As I reflect on those experiences, they created opportunities for connection. Connection:

  • to the new knowledge I was learning in my studies.
  • with distant relatives that I otherwise never would have met in person.
  • to different cultures through experiencing their people, language, food, and traditions.
  • with my family through the memories we created which we still reminisce about.


Travel can provide so many opportunities for children. The exposure to new cultures can breakdown stereotypes and enlighten about global lifestyle variables. Travel can build compassion and awareness, while uncovering that poverty and wealth can look very different globally. Further enlightenment can come through identifying that cultural differences can vary significantly domestically and internationally. These experiences will contribute to building characteristics like empathy, curiosity, imagination, and a sense of adventure. 

Travelling today also brings many new challenges and worries, like health risks, refusal at customs, human trafficking, and threats of war. Instead of fretting about these challenges, I am taking the opportunity to level-up our stranger danger conversations, reinforce the pandemic protocols, explore and respect different cultures while engaging in travel etiquette.

The headaches of travelling abroad in a pandemic are worth the risk. I know the experiences will create memories which will enrich our relationships for the rest of our lives. 

 

Janet Smith is a proud mom of one daughter and a marketing professional who is grateful for her rural roots in the London area. Follow Janet’s funny and honest journey at IG & TT | @re.marketable.janet or FB | @janetsiddallsmith

 

Questions? Comments? Contact us today!

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

News Letter