There’s a common belief that traveling makes us happy. I agree—but not for the reasons most people imagine.

Many think travel equals joy because it lets us escape routine: no work, vacation mode on, free time, new experiences, exotic dishes, shared moments with loved ones… And yes, all of that is true. But those are fleeting pleasures. Eating an ice cream, for instance, might give you instant happiness, but if you end up with a stomachache later, that feeling disappears. Instant gratification rarely turns into lasting happiness.

What truly makes travel a source of long-term happiness is its ability to throw us into challenging or uncomfortable situations. Overcoming them makes us stronger and raises our frustration threshold. That resilience is what, over time, makes us happier.

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Example 1: Traffic Jams

The most chaotic city I’ve ever visited is Manila. During the rainy season, I was stuck in a massive traffic jam: three hours trapped in a taxi surrounded by motionless cars, while floodwater crept up to the door handles. After that experience, every time I hit traffic at home, I feel grateful. I know what real gridlock looks like, so now a short delay doesn’t faze me. I turn up the music and enjoy the ride.

Example 2: Food

Some countries boast incredible culinary diversity, surprising you every day. Others… not so much. After spending time in one of those places, any homemade meal from your family feels like a luxury. What used to be routine now feels like a treasure.

Example 3: Extreme Weather

When I moved to Canada in January 2014, I faced -35 ºC temperatures during a polar vortex. Every morning, I walked half an hour to work in snow boots, a heavy coat, thermal leggings, and ski gloves. After that, how could I ever complain about a rainy day when my umbrella breaks?

Example 4: Travel Bureaucracy

Travel also means endless lines at airports, immigration offices, and customs; filling out forms in languages you don’t understand; dealing with unhelpful officials; or getting fined for rules that don’t even exist back home.

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All these experiences, though uncomfortable, make us more resilient. They teach us to tell the difference between a real problem and a minor inconvenience, to appreciate the good in everyday life, and to understand that true happiness isn’t something you buy from a travel agency—it’s built in how we learn to handle life’s challenges.