BY AMY REED
Traveling abroad, regardless of the destination or duration, instantly makes you more worldly by exposing you to new cultures, lifestyles, landscapes, and languages, broadening your perspective and fostering open-mindedness.
Experiencing significant failures, like my first one at 16, can shape your perspective, drive, and self-awareness, making you more worldly than those who may not have faced such challenges.
If you've ever had to fend for yourself, even in simple tasks like cooking and laundry, you're likely more independent than you realize, as many people lack these skills when they reach college.
Entering the working world shifts the focus to individual responsibility, where your actions have direct consequences, making you gain life experience that differs from those who haven't worked outside of family businesses.
Experiencing intense grief and loss, like the author Helen Bailey described as "death eyes," can profoundly shape your perspective on life, even though it's not a requirement to be considered worldly.
Experiencing intense heartbreak at 27, which ultimately shaped who I am as a person and allowed personal growth, can make you more worldly, even though it may not feel good at the time.