---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Traveling is not just seeing the new; it…"
description: "\"Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return. But the place y..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/jan-myrdal-74510_behind-you_traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it_2708622.jpg"
---

#  Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving…

![“Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return. But the place you have left forever is always there for you to see whenever you shut your eyes.” quote by Jan Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/jan-myrdal-74510_behind-you_traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it_2708622.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/jan-myrdal-74510_behind-you_traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it_2708622.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/jan-myrdal-74510_behind-you_traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it_2708622.jpg)

> “Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return. But the place you have left forever is always there for you to see whenever you shut your eyes.”

[Jan Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-myrdal/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Travel involves both discovery and loss; places we leave remain in memory, accessible whenever we reflect.

**In simple terms:** Travel means gaining and losing; memories stay.

Key Takeaway

Embrace both new experiences and their inevitable endings.

Themes

travel memory loss nostalgia growth

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- moving to a new city
- ending a relationship
- graduating

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

- What places linger in your mind after you leave?
- How do you honor what you’ve lost?

A Different Perspective

Memory can idealize past places, obscuring present realities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Behind you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behind-you/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Closing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closing/) [Doors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doors/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forever/) [Inspirational vacation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-vacation/) [Leaving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaving/) [Leaving Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaving-just-279973/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Opening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening/) [Opening doors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening-doors/) [Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return/) [Seeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeing/) [Seeing New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeing-new-255674/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/) [Traveling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traveling/) [Traveling Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traveling-just-1442427/) [Ur Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ur-eyes/) [Vacation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vacation/)

## Related quotes

> [Traveling is not just a pleasure, but it also gets you to meet so many people, experience new things in life and, in return,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-massey/traveling-is-not-just-a-pleasure-but-it-also-gets-you-to-meet-so-many/)

[Vikrant Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-massey/)

> [Everyone traveling alone is just on their phones the whole time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-kirkman/everyone-traveling-alone-is-just-on-their-phones-the-whole-time/)

[Jen Kirkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-kirkman/)

> [“Withdraw from talking about leaving someone behind. Just rekindle the friendship and love while you still have that moment together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rscruz/withdraw-from-talking-about-leaving-someone-behind-just-rekindle-the/)

[RSCruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rscruz/)

> [My whole life has been traveling, so it just seems normal to me, ... I'm able to leave on a bus with eight or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasey-chambers/my-whole-life-has-been-traveling-so-it-just-seems-normal-to-me-i-m/)

[Kasey Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasey-chambers/)

> [“But leaving is just something that happens in life. We all do it someday, one way or another. There's worse things than going away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-wingfield/but-leaving-is-just-something-that-happens-in-life-we-all-do-it/)

[Jenny Wingfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-wingfield/)

> [“If he’s hitting you now, stop contemplating leaving him, and just leave.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osayi-osar-emokpae/if-he-s-hitting-you-now-stop-contemplating-leaving-him-and-just-leave/)

[Osayi Osar-Emokpae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osayi-osar-emokpae/)

> [You're leaving me just when I thought you were mine..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/you-re-leaving-me-just-when-i-thought-you-were-mine/)

[Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patience/)

> [When kids are traveling, it' so much just being locked on the plane or stroller or carrier. So I think it's really important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-port/when-kids-are-traveling-it-so-much-just-being-locked-on-the-plane-or/)

[Whitney Port](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-port/)

> [It's not so much that I don't like traveling, it's just that I love being home. I love being able to spend time with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-roddick/it-s-not-so-much-that-i-don-t-like-traveling-it-s-just-that-i-love/)

[Andy Roddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-roddick/)

> [Too many actors try to get too much out of scenes that they ought to be leaving alone, just doing them quickly and getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-hawks/too-many-actors-try-to-get-too-much-out-of-scenes-that-they-ought-to/)

[Howard Hawks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-hawks/)

> [I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world. Mary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/i-am-not-the-same-having-seen-the-moon-shine-on-the-other-side-of-the/)

[Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/)

> [Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/once-you-have-traveled-the-voyage-never-ends/)

[Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/)

> [Happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-m-goodman/happiness-is-a-way-of-travel-not-a-destination/)

[Roy M. Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-m-goodman/)

> [A good vacation is over when you begin to yearn for your work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morris-fishbein/a-good-vacation-is-over-when-you-begin-to-yearn-for-your-work/)

[Morris Fishbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morris-fishbein/)

> [A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/a-vacation-is-like-love-anticipated-with-pleasure-experienced-with/)

[Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/)

## More by Jan Myrdal

> [There is a third dimension to traveling, the longing for what is beyond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-myrdal/there-is-a-third-dimension-to-traveling-the-longing-for-what-is-beyond/)

[Jan Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-myrdal/)

> [Traveling is like falling in love, the world is made new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-myrdal/traveling-is-like-falling-in-love-the-world-is-made-new/)

[Jan Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-myrdal/)

[Explore all 3 Jan Myrdal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-myrdal/)

## More Behind you quotes

> [Strong families use the word "we" a lot, but "I" is never forgotten. Family members know they have the freedom to go off on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-brothers/strong-families-use-the-word-we-a-lot-but-i-is-never-forgotten-family/)

[Joyce Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-brothers/)

> [For God is wholly present in all creation, in every corner, he is behind you and before you. Do you think he is sleeping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/for-god-is-wholly-present-in-all-creation-in-every-corner-he-is/)

[Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/)

> [The worst thing that can happen is that the effect that they create behind you is bigger than the performance you're putting out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/the-worst-thing-that-can-happen-is-that-the-effect-that-they-create/)

[Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/)

> [I would rather speak the truth to ten men than blandishments and lying to a million. Try it, ye who think there is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-would-rather-speak-the-truth-to-ten-men-than-blandishments-and/)

[Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/)

> [Leave your yawns behind you and feel the tiny new breeze of life lighting up inside of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-porchon-lynch/leave-your-yawns-behind-you-and-feel-the-tiny-new-breeze-of-life/)

[Tao Porchon-Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-porchon-lynch/)

> [Be sure that Christ is not behind you, but before, calling and drawing you on. This is the liberty, the beautiful liberty of Christ.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-bushnell/be-sure-that-christ-is-not-behind-you-but-before-calling-and-drawing/)

[Horace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-bushnell/)

> [When you become angry, you enter a tunnel, leaving the light behind you; when you get calm, you exit the tunnel, finding the light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/when-you-become-angry-you-enter-a-tunnel-leaving-the-light-behind-you/)

[Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [I wish you were that birch rising from the clump behind you, and I the gray oak alongside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-hall/i-wish-you-were-that-birch-rising-from-the-clump-behind-you-and-i-the/)

[Donald Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-hall/)

> [What has happened has happened and it is now behind you. Take the best of it all as you move positively forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-marston/what-has-happened-has-happened-and-it-is-now-behind-you-take-the-best/)

[Ralph Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-marston/)

> [A cultivated style would be like a mask. Everybody knows it's a mask, and sooner or later you must show yourself -- or at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-anne-porter/a-cultivated-style-would-be-like-a-mask-everybody-knows-it-s-a-mask/)

[Katherine Anne Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-anne-porter/)

> [I understand the opposite side of the camera. I have a profound respect for that. I have worked with people who, when you hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-gyllenhaal/i-understand-the-opposite-side-of-the-camera-i-have-a-profound/)

[Jake Gyllenhaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-gyllenhaal/)

> [Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to the animals, for they are without sin, while you, with all your greatness, you defile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-do-not-pride-yourself-on-your-superiority-to-the-animals-for-they/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The thing about 50 is that you've clearly reached a point where you have more of your life behind you than ahead of you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/the-thing-about-50-is-that-you-ve-clearly-reached-a-point-where-you/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [Inwardly you are God, outwardly you are a person. Instead of thinking you are just a person, that appearance, you can awake to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-harding/inwardly-you-are-god-outwardly-you-are-a-person-instead-of-thinking/)

[Douglas Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-harding/)

> [After all the planets and all the hosts you've left behind, you've finally found the place and the body you'd die for. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/after-all-the-planets-and-all-the-hosts-you-ve-left-behind-you-ve/)

[Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/)

[Browse all 320 Behind you quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behind-you/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return. But the place you have left forever is always there for you to see whenever you shut your eyes.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jan Myrdal"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-myrdal/traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it-is-also-leaving-behind-not/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Behind you"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-myrdal/traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it-is-also-leaving-behind-not/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/jan-myrdal-74510_behind-you_traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it_2708622.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/jan-myrdal-74510_behind-you_traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it_2708622.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/jan-myrdal-74510_behind-you_traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it_2708622.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them…” — Jan Myrdal",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jan Myrdal",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-myrdal/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Traveling is not just seeing the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-myrdal/traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it-is-also-leaving-behind-not/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-myrdal/traveling-is-not-just-seeing-the-new-it-is-also-leaving-behind-not/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
