The Benefits of Taking the Road Less Traveled

Poet Robert Frost famously wrote about choosing a less-traveled road, and his words have arguably inspired countless people of all ages and backgrounds to seize unexpected opportunities, especially when exploring. As it turns out, there are several benefits to wandering towards unfamiliar surroundings with gusto, instead of timidly going in the other direction.

This is a guest post by Kacey Mya, a lifestyle blogger. We hope that you find it enjoyable and informative.

It Could Help You Take a Breather from Life’s Stressors

For decades, scientists have connected psychological distress with mental fatigue. Today, there is no shortage of things that can cause our psyches to feel frazzled. Even something as simple as a social media notification or a new message in your inbox can be enough to put you on high alert.

However, deciding to give yourself some time out by wandering down a woodland path that’s a few minutes away from your office, for example, can be a great way to hit your body’s “reset” button. Researcher Rachel Kaplan says time out in a secluded natural area can encourage what she calls “soft fascination,” where you’re gently forced to stop multitasking and just focus on the present.

You Have to Become More Aware of Your Surroundings

Whenever you’re navigating a route that’s unfamiliar, you naturally start to get more in tune with the characteristics of your environment. That might mean keeping your eyes peeled for recognizable landmarks that could help you find your way around, or noticing the crunching sound that your shoes make as they step across freshly fallen leaves. In this kind of environment, you’re practicing what some people refer to as “mindful walking.” That technique can lead to stress relief.

You’ll Probably Learn Something

The more often you take a road you’ve traveled very frequently, the more likely it is you’ll just feel like you’re going through the motions. When taking a route to work that you’ve gone down hundreds of times before, your mind might seem so far away that it seems you could travel in your sleep.

However, when you’re making your way down a road you’ve traveled less often, the likelihood is much higher that you’ll actually learn something new instead of just tuning everything out. In many cases, the thing you learn might actually end up being a quicker route to your destination.

You Might Become More Appreciative of Your Community

Sometimes, taking the road less traveled means discovering the area where you live more thoroughly than you ever imagined possible. In an effort to save money and make the most of resources, some people have begun embarking on “staycations,” that allow them to take some time off and enjoy life without traveling too far away from home.

It’s no wonder why so many people are making that decision. Statistics show the average seven-day vacation for a family of four costs over $4,000, not including food or attractions.

Spend an hour or two getting more acquainted with the kinds of diversions available in your community. You may be surprised at what there is to explore just a few miles from your doorstep.

You Could Strengthen Your Personality Traits

Going against the grain of what’s familiar or expected undoubtedly takes a lot of courage and self confidence. That’s especially true if you’re doing that during your career and getting a lot of negative feedback as a result.

Even though you may encounter obstacles along the way, you could find things out about yourself that would have otherwise remained concealed or muted. Perhaps striking out on an unpopular career path will reveal you have a wonderful ability to relate to children or the elderly. On the other hand, maybe doing something unexpected has made it so you have time in your schedule to volunteer at an animal shelter and show compassion on a daily basis.

Although many people understandably feel nervous about moving into uncharted territory throughout life, you now know more about why doing so could have memorable, and even life-changing, benefits. The world is waiting. Go explore it by seeing exactly where that unexplored path leads.

About the Author

Kacey Mya is a lifestyle blogger for "The Drifter Collective”, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us.  Throughout her life, she has found excitement in the world around her. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, continuously building her strong love for style while communicating these endeavors through her passion for writing and expression. Her love for the world around her is portrayed through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Follow Kacey on Twitter and Pinterest.

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