No Matter where you go, you're here

People always imagine traveling as something inherently exotic, as if every place is better than wherever you are. It's exciting to go to new places. It really is. But after a while, you realize that you're just in another place. No matter where you go, the people who live there aren't nearly as impressed as you are.
Granted, there are some places that never lose their novelty and magic. But most places do. It's when you're in those places that aren't magic that you realize that you're the same. Allow me to explain:
I can be in Texas (where I'm from) or in Seoul (where I am now) or Hungary (where I used to live) or any other place, and as long as I continue doing what I do, the setting will never matter. I've been sitting inside for the majority of the last two weeks working on a paper for my graduate applications. I have had no concept of the fact that I'm in Asia. I could be doing this exact same thing in San Antonio or at my parents' house. It wouldn't be any more or less exciting.
I say this for three reasons. First, if you want to change your life, going somewhere new isn't enough. you have to change too. Second, if you get the chance to go somewhere new, don't let it lose its novelty by hiding yourself in your routine. Third, even if you stay wherever it is that you are, remember that it's novel to someone. If there's no magic left, chances are you're the one who lost the magic, not the place. I always got so sick of people saying, "There's nothing to do in this city." There is always something going on somewhere. Are you putting in the minimal effort it takes to find it? I always find a new place to enjoy, whether it is a new park or library or a new venue or restaurant. Keep dreaming about the rest of the world, but if you can't enjoy where you are, you probably will fuck up your time anywhere else too.