Hopeless romantics have a serious problem; they want this unicorn of a relationship, and will sometimes create it in their head if it’s not really happening in real life. I guess you could call that settling. But what that also means is that we become insanely committed, even if it’s not the right person or situation, just because we believe so much in the fairytale ending. But when you travel, you realize that there’s a whole Earth of potential suitors, and that it’s better not to be tied down. Plus when your family asks if you’ve met anyone yet, you can laugh and say, “No sorry, I was busy traveling the world.”
As a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, I would describe my ideal relationship to be one that starts at first sight, progresses over the course of a few days, and then ends happily ever after. Yes, that may seem a little unrealistic, but not when you meet someone while you’re traveling! Have you ever had a travel crush? It’s the best thing ever for a hopeless romantic because you fall fast, it feels like it’s magical, and the ending is usually not detrimental because you probably need to get home anyway.
Traveling helps you see that there is more to this world than just settling for whatever you’re currently experiencing. The more-ness keeps on going and going, which means there’s an endless amount of time, destinations, and possibilities to meet that one person who’s going to end up making you feel like your life is a rom-com. If you don’t find “the one” in Paris, maybe you’ll find them in New Zealand, and if they aren’t Down Under, than maybe you’ll see them in South Africa. As long as you’re traveling, you’re technically “searching,” and luckily that search usually discovers a whole world full of love.
Have I ever mentioned that my hobby is chasing waterfalls? I say it metaphorically, literally, and because that TLC song is just so damn catchy and ironic. The metaphorical part is the chasing the dream part, and remaining hopeful that those dreams are possible. The literal part is that I actually do travel to see waterfalls; I’ve successfully chased waterfalls all over the world, which means I know my dreams can come true, which means as a hopeless romantic, the dream of finding this fairytale love situation has a chance of actually happening too.
When a relationship ends for a hopeless romantic, it may seem like the world is ending, but what better way to solidify the fact that life goes on than by exploring everything that life has to offer? Travel will not only show you things like how good you actually have it, how caring and loving other people can be, but that anything you’re hopeless about in the love department, can be uplifted with love you feel for yourself and from the world. If you feel like you’re doomed because you can’t seem to find a person who wants to commit the way you do, just remember that there’s a whole lot of Earth out there that’s already committed to loving you! 