I Spent 20 Days in Antarctica and Learned Epic Life Lessons—Here's How You Can, Too

Travel + Leisure

6 days ago

I've traveled the globe as a luxury travel advisor, but after spending 20 days in Antarctica, crossing glaciers and sleeping under the midnight sun, I returned home with a host of profound realizations that are more valuable than any passport stamp. Here are five life lessons that I learned on the frozen continent—and how you can experience them for yourself.
A trip to Antarctica is the ultimate invitation to slow down. I went fully offline once I arrived, and only took photos with a proper camera. I was determined to truly see the sights in front of me: the shocking blue of an iceberg, a humpback whale breaching, even the quiet delight of a hot shower after sleeping on ice. I would suggest doing the same on your trip. Unplug, keep a journal, and celebrate little luxuries, like sipping champagne from crystal glasses on your final Zodiac boat ride. Research shows that the act of mindfully enjoying an experience amplifies our happiness. Exploring ice caves with White Desert Antarctica.
White Desert Antarctica Echo
There's nothing like standing on the ice at a high-end camp, surrounded by thousands of miles of untouched wilderness. This vastness makes everyday stress feel trivial. Antarctica has been forming for over 35 million years, so your inbox can wait. Whether you fly in, cross the Drake Passage, or choose a hybrid route, just getting there shifts your perspective.
Part of my itinerary included a trip to South Georgia Island, where I stepped off the Zodiac boat into a world that didn't feel like mine. Penguins porpoised from the sea, the wind howled, and I had the distinct sense that I was the novelty the animals had come to see. At that moment, I was fully immersed—no past or future, just deep presence. That state, known as flow , brings a quiet joy that lingers long after a trip ends. To experience it, don't skip South Georgia. It's imbued with an emotional richness that you can't replicate. King penguins on South Georgia Island's Gold Harbor.A year after I sustained a major injury, I found myself flying to Antarctica from Cape Town for a mountaineering expedition. I was nervous, but I learned to use crampons, rappel, and cross glaciers safely. That experience rebuilt my sense of self-efficacy—the belief that we can do hard things. Since then, I've summited Grand Teton, earned a master's in positive psychology, and even transformed my business to focus on using travel as a path to well-being. If you're looking to push your own limits, White Desert's Echo Camp offers comfort and challenge in equal measure. A ship traversing the Drake Passage in Antarctica.In Antarctica, nature calls the shots and weather scrambles even the best plans. Living with uncertainty like this reminded me how little we control—and how that can ultimately feel liberating. This acceptance that you're not in control of everything is a powerful feeling to bring back to your day-to-day life, and career.
If you're looking for a journey that can transform you as much as it thrills you, Antarctica delivers. Approach it with intention and you'll leave with lessons that linger long after you've returned home.
Sarah Groen is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in trips to polar regions. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Groen at [email protected] .