Travelling is Healing
Travelling is Healing: A Journey Through Places and Emotions
There’s something magical about travel—it doesn’t just take us to new places, it takes us deeper within ourselves. This isn’t just a story of trains, taxis, temples, or mountains. It’s about the quiet transformation that happens when a young girl begins to discover the world—and herself—one journey at a time.
A Village That Felt Like Home
As a child, the thought of traveling to my maternal village in Uttarakhand filled me with excitement. The village was small but enchanting, surrounded by nature and filled with genuine, warm-hearted people. It wasn’t far—just a 15-minute drive followed by a 30-minute walk through the hills. Though the trek was exhausting, the joy of reaching my Nani’s house—where my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins waited—always gave me the energy to walk faster than even my mother.
We visited often, and each time my mother carried sweets, cookies, jaggery, and fruits for our relatives. Our vacations were mostly centered around my maternal side, and I had only visited my paternal home once, when I was 12. Naturally, I was more emotionally connected to my maternal family.
Finding Myself on the Road
I’ve always enjoyed traveling by bus or local gypsy. Once, I got the chance to play in a state-level hockey match held in Kotdwar, far from our hometown of Pithoragarh. That was the first time I traveled alone—without my parents. I was nervous but thrilled.
I remember sitting on the bus, listening to old Hindi songs, and crying quietly. I was a very sensitive child, and every song seemed to echo my emotions. That solo journey sparked something inside me. I realized I loved exploring, meeting new people, and witnessing life in new places.
But, as many girls in India know, our freedom to travel often depends on others. First, our parents. Then, maybe, a partner—if he shares the same love for travel. Years went by, and I found myself confined, not venturing beyond the boundaries of routine life. But deep within, the desire to explore and heal through travel remained.
Stepping Out for Education
When I left home for higher studies, I moved to a different city. My father came with me to help me settle. I cried when he left me with all my luggage. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter: a life of independence.
My hostel was 500 km away from home, so frequent visits weren’t possible. In the beginning, I was homesick. But soon, I made friends. On weekends, we began exploring local places together. One of my roommates invited me to her home in Ranikhet—a beautiful hill station. That visit brought warmth to my lonely heart.
Later, during Diwali, another friend invited me to Haldwani, as we didn’t have long holidays to visit our own families. That city, once designed by the British, welcomed me with its old charm and railway lines. Each visit became a part of my emotional healing.
Alone, But Not Lonely
Eventually, I moved to Rudrapur for further studies. It was a crowded, noisy city—very different from my quiet hometown. At first, it overwhelmed me. But every Sunday, I’d pick a new place to explore. The unfamiliar streets slowly became comforting. I was learning to enjoy my own company.
Then came the opportunity of a lifetime—a college trip to South India! We were a group of 60 students and two teachers. In just 7 days, we explored Bangalore, Mysore, and Chennai. It was breathtaking.
We walked barefoot in grand South Indian temples, felt the cool waves of Marina Beach, and visited Mysore Palace and MG Road. I was amazed by the local culture—how women still wore sarees with jasmine flowers in their hair. The smells, the sights, the sounds—everything awakened a new sense of wonder.
I still remember standing on the seashore, watching the water rush in and pull the sand away beneath my feet. That moment felt symbolic. Travel, like the ocean, was washing away the layers of fear and confusion I had carried for years.
The Healing Within
Each trip wasn’t just about the destination—it was a mirror, reflecting parts of myself I hadn’t seen before. The sensitivity of a little girl crying on a bus. The curiosity of a student exploring new streets. The courage of a young woman standing by the sea.
Travel has a way of opening us up. Of helping us heal—not just from heartbreak or loss, but from self-doubt, routine, and stagnancy.
I haven’t yet seen the whole world. There’s still so much left. But every journey so far has helped me discover a little more about who I am.
I hope one day I get the chance to see even more of this beautiful planet. Not just to escape life, but to embrace it fully.
There’s something magical about travel—it doesn’t just take us to new places, it takes us deeper within ourselves. This isn’t just a story of trains, taxis, temples, or mountains. It’s about the quiet transformation that happens when a young girl begins to discover the world—and herself—one journey at a time.
A Village That Felt Like Home
As a child, the thought of traveling to my maternal village in Uttarakhand filled me with excitement. The village was small but enchanting, surrounded by nature and filled with genuine, warm-hearted people. It wasn’t far—just a 15-minute drive followed by a 30-minute walk through the hills. Though the trek was exhausting, the joy of reaching my Nani’s house—where my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins waited—always gave me the energy to walk faster than even my mother.
We visited often, and each time my mother carried sweets, cookies, jaggery, and fruits for our relatives. Our vacations were mostly centered around my maternal side, and I had only visited my paternal home once, when I was 12. Naturally, I was more emotionally connected to my maternal family.
I’ve always enjoyed traveling by bus or local gypsy. Once, I got the chance to play in a state-level hockey match held in Kotdwar, far from our hometown of Pithoragarh. That was the first time I traveled alone—without my parents. I was nervous but thrilled.
I remember sitting on the bus, listening to old Hindi songs, and crying quietly. I was a very sensitive child, and every song seemed to echo my emotions. That solo journey sparked something inside me. I realized I loved exploring, meeting new people, and witnessing life in new places.
But, as many girls in India know, our freedom to travel often depends on others. First, our parents. Then, maybe, a partner—if he shares the same love for travel. Years went by, and I found myself confined, not venturing beyond the boundaries of routine life. But deep within, the desire to explore and heal through travel remained.
When I left home for higher studies, I moved to a different city. My father came with me to help me settle. I cried when he left me with all my luggage. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter: a life of independence.
My hostel was 500 km away from home, so frequent visits weren’t possible. In the beginning, I was homesick. But soon, I made friends. On weekends, we began exploring local places together. One of my roommates invited me to her home in Ranikhet—a beautiful hill station. That visit brought warmth to my lonely heart.
Later, during Diwali, another friend invited me to Haldwani, as we didn’t have long holidays to visit our own families. That city, once designed by the British, welcomed me with its old charm and railway lines. Each visit became a part of my emotional healing.
Alone, But Not Lonely
Eventually, I moved to Rudrapur for further studies. It was a crowded, noisy city—very different from my quiet hometown. At first, it overwhelmed me. But every Sunday, I’d pick a new place to explore. The unfamiliar streets slowly became comforting. I was learning to enjoy my own company.
Then came the opportunity of a lifetime—a college trip to South India! We were a group of 60 students and two teachers. In just 7 days, we explored Bangalore, Mysore, and Chennai. It was breathtaking.
We walked barefoot in grand South Indian temples, felt the cool waves of Marina Beach, and visited Mysore Palace and MG Road. I was amazed by the local culture—how women still wore sarees with jasmine flowers in their hair. The smells, the sights, the sounds—everything awakened a new sense of wonder.
I still remember standing on the seashore, watching the water rush in and pull the sand away beneath my feet. That moment felt symbolic. Travel, like the ocean, was washing away the layers of fear and confusion I had carried for years.
The Healing Within
Each trip wasn’t just about the destination—it was a mirror, reflecting parts of myself I hadn’t seen before. The sensitivity of a little girl crying on a bus. The curiosity of a student exploring new streets. The courage of a young woman standing by the sea.
Travel has a way of opening us up. Of helping us heal—not just from heartbreak or loss, but from self-doubt, routine, and stagnancy.
I haven’t yet seen the whole world. There’s still so much left. But every journey so far has helped me discover a little more about who I am.
I hope one day I get the chance to see even more of this beautiful planet. Not just to escape life, but to embrace it fully.
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