Why Is Now the Time to Travel?

Twenty-seven years is truly a remarkable phase in life. It’s a time when everything is possible, and nothing is mandatory.

Well, unless you’re one of those who have already decided to settle down, take out loans, and lead a predictable life, you might be working at banks, cooking, or changing diapers. And sadly, most of them, aged 35 to 40, will find themselves alone with young children and debts.

The sad part is, they miss out on a crucial aspect of life—exploring the world, learning from diverse cultures, and personal growth.

According to Adam, Obodaru, Lu, Maddux and Galinsky (2018), living abroad measurably increases self-concept clarity by prompting people to question which parts of their identity are truly their own.

Even saving and investing can be a form of personal development. However, I often encounter disapproving looks from those who lead hedonistic lives and spend all their salaries. They label me as materialistic, while they consider themselves carefree, oblivious to the fact that in twenty years, all schools in Europe might become private.

What Are They Missing by Playing It Safe?

Due to their chosen lifestyles, they inadvertently contribute to a future where they raise their own domesticated workforce under their roofs. This is just as it is currently in the US, where an average graduate is burdened with $100,000 to $200,000 in debt.

These individuals have never had the opportunity to travel outside the US due to financial constraints. And instead of searching for a fulfilling job, they settle for any employment to avoid ending up homeless.

So, for those who are focused on accumulating possessions quickly, where does personal growth fit in? The worst part is, they fail to recognize their own shortcomings. Nowadays, when I converse with my college friends, it seems like most of them have stagnated at some point.

Although they possess a certain level of wisdom because of their inherent intelligence that allowed them to progress academically, their lack of travel has kept them unchanged. They resemble the same people I met nearly a decade ago when I began my studies. According to Zimmermann and Neyer (2013), students who spend a significant period abroad show measurably greater gains in openness and emotional stability than peers who stay home.

Back then, I was impressed by their maturity, but now I often notice significant gaps in their reasoning. They exhibit less consideration than those who explore the world, are less tolerant. And lack the everyday fortune that comes from understanding the many paths to fulfillment.

They genuinely believe that pleasure is limited to sleeping, eating, and procreating. It’s a vicious cycle where they fail to see alternatives, trapping themselves in routines that leave no room for self-discovery. And so, it continues endlessly.

How Can You Know Who You Are Without Giving Yourself Time?

Moreover, there’s another predicament. How can you truly know who you are if you don’t give yourself time to find the answer?

When I was younger, I used to find hiking in the mountains absurd. But at some point, I became captivated by it.

And who knows what else might captivate me in the future because I still allocate time for exploration. You can only uncover your true calling when you have the time, resources, and willingness to experiment. The period between studying and starting a family is ideal for this pursuit.

What Role Does Epigenetics Play in Our Development?

Let’s not forget the significance of epigenetics. While you can’t change your eye color through sheer willpower, you can regulate numerous other genes.

This is possible by leading a good, healthy, purposeful life. Babies inherit not what you were born with, but what they receive at the moment of conception.

If you are capricious and prone to depression during that period, they will likely exhibit similar traits. However, if you can attain a consistently positive state of mind and constant joy, your children will likely follow suit. If you aspire to pass on your best attributes, focus on attaining your optimal state, even if it takes until the age of 35 or beyond.

Why Did I Want to Skip Straight to My Mid-Twenties?

When I think back to my childhood, I remember not wanting to turn 18. I yearned to be somewhere between 25 and 30 for the very same reason: there’s so much you can accomplish. And nothing is set in stone yet.

Gradually, through hard work, I’ve reached the state of mind I desired back then. I do wish for a more stable work situation though. Currently, I’m involved in a great project with wonderful colleagues.

But I’d feel more confident if I could publish something in neuroscience. I also long for a bit more stability in my lifestyle.

I’m still in the early stages, working 12 hours a day and pushing myself hard in the mountains. It’s challenging to maintain a private life under these circumstances. Overall, the project is quite intense.

When other students hear that I’m working on comprehensive models involving human fMRI, optogenetics, 2-photon imaging, animal experiments, and neural networks, they’re left astounded. Not to mention, I recently took on responsibilities in the doctoral council and have numerous other commitments. But you know what?

I enjoy this dynamic state. It reminds me of MISMaP.

There, I’m constantly on the move, switching topics every hour and collaborating with people from various specialties. It’s pretty cool!

How Do I Work Toward Mental Health and Fulfilment?

Speaking of this exciting phase of life, it’s also a time when age-old truths come to light. For instance, it’s important to prioritize well-being and good mood, and invest time in achieving it.

This is because it won’t happen on its own (unless you’re extremely lucky and naturally have high serotonin levels in your blood, but I’m not that fortunate). For me, nothing works better than sunlight and exercise.

According to Lambert et al. (2002), the brain’s serotonin turnover rises directly with the amount of bright sunlight a person gets.

So I make an effort to stay awake during the day and engage in physical activity as much as possible. According to Schuch, Vancampfort, Richards, Rosenbaum, Ward and Stubbs (2016), regular exercise has a well-documented positive effect on mood, comparable in size to established depression treatments. So far, it’s been effective.