What Improv Comedy Can Teach Us About Travel

At the heart of improv comedy is the rule of “yes, and”. It’s about saying yes to what’s in front of you, and then adding on to it. If your scene partner says, “This is a great day at the beach,” you might reply, “Thanks for bringing me, Mom!” and off you go. It's foundational to improv because the reverse can stop a scene in its tracks, and remove all the fun for both the audience and the performers.
 

Travel works the same way. We're constantly offered little invitations, like a cooking class, a hike, or a spontaneous offer to join new friends for an adventure. It's easy to tell ourselves that it is not for us, or that it isn't worth doing, but travel is extra magical when we say "yes" even when we don't know for sure what will happen next.
 

The “yes, and” philosophy reminds us to keep an open mind, to stay curious, and to say yes to what the world has to offer. You never know who you will meet or what memories you will make when you stay open to the unexpected.

If “yes, and” is about openness to what comes your way, vulnerability is about having the courage to step into it, even when it feels uncomfortable. In improv, this vulnerability comes in the form of stepping on stage with no script and being willing to look a little silly, to try something that might not land, and to trust that your scene partners will meet you halfway.
 

Travel asks for that same kind of courage. Maybe you have skipped white water rafting in Costa Rica because you worried you would fall, or avoided speaking your rusty school-learned French in France in case you got it wrong. The truth is, no one is really judging you, and most people appreciate the effort. The biggest critic is usually the one in your own head.
 

Just like in improv, when you stop worrying about getting it “right,” you open yourself up to connection, laughter, and moments that feel real. Vulnerability is where the best scenes happen on stage, and the best memories are made on the road.

In improv, performers have to be fully in the moment, listening and reacting in real time to keep the scene moving. When traveling, being present in the moment can look a little different than on stage, but the principle still applies. Between maps, messages, and photos, it is easy to miss what is right in front of you, whether that's the chatter of a bustling market in Morocco, a snow monkey hidden in the trees of Japan, or the sound of waves at dusk on a Greek island. Slow down and look around, you never know what you might find.
 

By staying in the moment, you may also find that you remember your trips more vividly, because you'll truly experience them rather than rushing through or viewing everything through a screen. By slowing down, we allow ourselves to fully immerse in the culture, connect with people, taste the food, learn the customs, and appreciate the beauty of everyday moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

In improv, mistakes aren't failures, they are the start of something new. A misheard line or a wrong turn can take a scene somewhere unexpected and delightful. The same goes for travel. Hiking trail washed out? Took the wrong bus? Showed up to find the museum closed? Perfect. That detour might lead to your new favorite cafe, a hidden beach, or a story you will tell for years.
 

The “mistakes are gifts” mindset reminds us that travel, like improv, is never really about sticking to a perfect plan. It is about being open to what unfolds. When you stop labeling something as “wrong,” you give it a chance to become something unexpectedly wonderful.
 

So next time you travel, try thinking like an improviser. Say yes, be brave, stay present, and welcome the unexpected, because the best moments often begin when you stop trying to plan them!