The Backpackers Lifestyle

My introduction to the backpackers lifestyle happened more by accident than design. I’ve been ‘hitting the road’ since I was young … very young … for varying reasons. The main one of these being, the sense of freedom I felt when I was hitch-hiking, surfing a train or simply getting lost in the bush (yup, it happened often). And it was awesome! The backpacking way of life would become an essential part of my own personal development. I recommend it to both the young and young at heart 🙂

Embracing the Backpackers Lifestyle

Before I say anything else, let’s get one thing straight. The people you meet at backpacker venues who are simply there to relax and get away are not the people I refer to in this post. Some people are engaging the lifestyle and others simply enjoy being within the backpackers environment. There are also those that choose to take their holidays at backpackers because they are more affordable than hotels and guest houses.

The backpackers lifestyle, whether temporary or permanent is usually a soul searching experience. The backpacker is most often a carefree & all embracing soul.

The backpackers lifestyle has it’s sad and unfortunate moments as life inevitably throws itself at anything that moves. Even so, when setting out on a backpacking journey,  there is a sense of nervous happiness perhaps, an excitement and even a little fear of the unknown.

You Cannot Label the Backpacker

There is no such thing as putting the backpacking way of life into a box and labeling it. This is what makes it so beautiful. Just for a moment, clear your mind of everything you know you want. Empty it properly and you’ll be left  with a sense of discovery … the urge to discover something … anything. With only that in your mind, you open yourself up to everything … without limitations. You will create those as you go. Like being born all over again.

The departure point of any journey should be the clearing of the mind, the opening up of the heart and soul to new things. Filter out everything which doesn’t appeal to you and begin to focus on the appealing stuff. You’ve been doing this your whole life, right? Sure, it’s what we do, but how often have you set aside what appeals and tried something new? How often have you cleared your mind of what you know?

Explore & Discover the Backpackers Lifestyle

This is where the journey  of discovery starts. It’s not just a personal thing or a discovery of self. It is also the discovery of other personalities, spiritual beliefs and cultures. It’s about exploring new places, poverty struck locations, well healed towns and entertainment venues.

Backpacking, from my view, is about discovering and experiencing as much that is different to what I am accustomed to as possible. The backpackers accommodation venue is my home base where I meet new people, depart from on my daily adventures and return to after those adventures.

I love the lifestyle and the genuine backpacker who is on a journey of discovery.