The power of awe
I never return from a journey quite the same person I was when I left. There is something magical about entering an unfamiliar place. When I leave behind the grind, something in me awakens. Obligations, chores and worries fade, replaced by sights, sounds, flavors and possibilities. Psychologists describe this feeling as awe—a profound sense of wonder when confronted with something vast or beyond ourselves.
Mental health practitioners acknowledge that experiencing awe can ease stress, support emotional well-being and help us see life with renewed optimism.
Travel, in many ways, is awe in motion.
A growing number of travelers are embracing a different philosophy. Instead of racing through several cities with packed itineraries, many are discovering the art of slow travel—staying longer in one destination and living, even briefly, like a local. Whether spending peaceful days in the rolling hills of Batanes, savoring Siargao’s laid-back surf culture, enjoying the cool mornings of Baguio, or lingering in a neighborhood café in Kyoto, Paris or Hanoi, or gazing at the dizzying night lights of futuristic Shanghai, slowing down allows us to absorb the heartbeat of a place instead of simply checking it off a bucket list.
Travel also offers something increasingly rare: a digital detox. Boarding a plane can become permission to unplug from devices and everyday demands. Instead of scrolling through life, we begin living it again. Burnout gives way to presence as we rediscover simple pleasures like watching a sunrise, strolling through an unfamiliar street or sharing uninterrupted conversations with loved ones.
For many, exploring new destinations becomes a powerful reset after life’s major transitions—a demanding career, retirement, the end of a relationship or the loss of someone dear. A new environment creates distance from old routines, making space for reflection and healing. We don’t have to escape our problems; sometimes, we simply need a different horizon from which to view them.
One of travel’s greatest teachers is food. Every local dish tells a story of history and tradition. From fresh seafood at Cebu’s seaside eateries to bustling markets in Turkey, tapas in Barcelona and tiny family-run trattorias in Italy, every bite becomes a lesson in culture.
Long after souvenirs fade, I still recall the aroma of freshly baked bread, shared meals and conversations that transcend language.
Then comes the joy of getting lost. A missed train in Mexico, an unplanned alleyway in Seoul or a scenic detour through Intramuros or Taal can lead to hidden cafés, breathtaking viewpoints and unforgettable encounters. These detours often become stories we cherish. They remind us that sometimes getting lost is the best itinerary of all.
Equally unforgettable is the kindness of strangers. A local recommending the best bowl of ramen, a fisherman pointing visitors toward a secluded beach in Palawan or a fellow traveler helping navigate a foreign subway system remind us that, despite our differences, kindness is a language spoken everywhere.
Solo trips can be transformative. Without companions, we learn to trust our instincts, solve problems and enjoy our own company. Navigating unfamiliar places builds resilience, patience, confidence and adaptability—qualities that serve us long after the adventure ends.
Perhaps that’s why seasoned travelers eventually stop measuring journeys by what they bring home and start measuring by what stays with them. The excitement of a new purchase fades, but memories of exploring ancient treasures of Egypt inside a majestic pyramid, watching the Northern Lights, sailing around El Nido or witnessing a sunrise over a sea of clouds in Mt. Pulag remain priceless.
The greatest gift of travel is not simply seeing new places. It is seeing ourselves differently. Awe reminds us that the world is far bigger, kinder and more beautiful than our routines allow us to believe.
And we don’t have to go too far to experience it. Sometimes, we don’t have to go anywhere at all. A quiet morning walk through a tree-lined street, gliding birds overhead, the sun sinking below the ocean or a night sky thick with stars can awaken the same sense of wonder. These moments remind us of our small place in a vast and beautiful world—and reward us with peace, gratitude and a quiet affirmation of our Heavenly Creator’s power and majesty.
