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What is it about travel?
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
Travel is one of those dreams that everyone seems to have. How many times have you heard someone say they wish they could travel more? Or wish they could travel now?
The truth is travel is not that far out of reach… you just need to be determined and willing to do what is necessary to make it happen.
What are your number one goals or dreams in life? When you turn 80 and look back on your life, what do want to have happened in that time? This is no place to think small. Think big. Then break it down to smaller pieces and steps until you get down to something that is manageable and more realistic.
What are your priorities in life?
For me, freedom is everything. I hate feeling trapped, so the idea of owning a house in the suburbs automatically makes me freak out.
However, apartments, though much smaller, actually represent the idea of freedom the most. Why? Because they are generally much more secure, more central, there is no need to own a car, I can step out the door and go almost anywhere I want with minimal hassle. They are also easier to rent out and maintain overall.
I would like children one day, and the bonus of being where I am (renting but CBD edge) is that there are parks, a beach, plenty of schools and child friendly activities around. And I still won’t need a car (it would be nice, but not a necessity). If you look at countries in Europe, most families live in apartments. It is the standard rather than an exception.
I have also always dreamed of travel. Of being able to explore other countries, get to know other cultures, meet people, learn. Of course, none of that comes free. There is an entire travel group that use couch surfing, ride share and so on, but that is not really ideal or sustainable long term. I prefer hostels but with my own room (and bathroom!), boarding houses, mid range hotels or even airbnb when necessary.
The biggest reason I love travel is that it taught me how to be myself and how to be confident in my own skin. The people I met didn’t know me from a bar of soap, they accepted me with the good and the bad. For someone who had been bullied through high school and even in my first few jobs, it was an incredible feeling to be taken seriously for once and not judged. I couldn’t get dressed in a gym change room, but learned how to in a hostel dorm room.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
Travel teaches you about yourself
It is so easy to get caught in a bubble… comfortable home, job, circle of friends, family. It is all about safety and convention. I guess I was always lucky that my parents didn’t expect or want me to settle. They pushed and told me – if you want to travel go. If you don’t want to get married or have kids, then don’t.
They had children early (at 18) so all the experiences we tend to take for granted being single in our twenties, was skipped over. No regrets, just a different choice made when faced with a big decision.
Travel (when you push your boundaries) teaches you about your strengths and weaknesses. There is something about being surrounded by strangers that makes you more willing to try something new, to take a risk. Probably because instead of holding you back (how many friends and family have told you not to do something?) strangers who are also travelling, are actually genuinely encouraging you to try.
Prioritise your dreams
Anything is possible if you want it enough.
One of the best books I’ve read is ‘Spark Joy’ but Marie Kondo. While this is a book about tidying up, Marie Kondo brings up some interesting points about what adds value to your life and home. When you look around your home, does it make you happy? Do you smile?
My best friend lives in Geneva with her husband, they live in an apartment, they don’t own a TV or any fancy gadgets (except their laptops). Furniture is basic and functional. The decorations they own, the items that fill their home are from their travels (bonus of living so centrally in Europe) or necessities for work. Travel guides, holiday photos, little bits of memories from different countries that they could fit into their backpacks. When they look around their home all they see are happy memories (even trips that were disaster filled), because for them, owning the latest tech or décor isn’t worth the money. They value and prioritise travel and experiences over owning things.
Now look around your home. How much money have you spent on “stuff”? It is amazing how we can convince ourselves that filling our homes with useless things to look at adds value, but saving up for whatever our dream is, is impossible. In the end, it is just clutter that distracts us from our real goals.
What are your dreams? Do you make choices in your everyday life that help you work towards your goals?
Krissy
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David nelson
March 6, 2020Hello there, Let me give you the little I knowabou the benefits of travel……….Travelling, particularly if you are in a foreign country, can sometimes put you out of your comfort zone, and so you often have to adapt to those differences. This challenge strengthens the ‘openness’ dimension of your personality.
Our lives can often be constantly busy, and sometimes most or all of us may feel that we are living each day on repeat. Travelling is the best way to escape stresses and commitments of everyday life, offering novelty and change in the form of new people, sights and experiences.
And lots more can be achieved through traveling.
Thanks regards,
David.
Gigi
March 10, 2020Hi David, sometimes the world moves so fast we can get dizzy just trying to keep up with it all.
Travelling provides an escape and a much needed break from normal life, letting us press pause, breathe and appreciate the world from a differnent perspective (even if it is on a beach with a cocktail in hand!).
Michael
March 6, 2020I loved your blog.
I am a blogger as well in the travel niche. I write all sorts of travel-related topics from Airlines, discounts, and tips.
I agree not travelling is a treasure to everyone they want to travel somewhere sometime and they come up with all sorts of excuses whether its financial issues, time management or any other.
I believe its key to break things down and take baby steps to your journey.
Gigi
March 17, 2020Hi Michael, it is very easy to come up with excuses or reasons why anything can’t happen. It is not just travel that can be pushed to the side. Baby steps help that we make slow but steady progress to whatever our goal is.
CJ Greene
March 6, 2020I love this article! I actually wrote a similar article recently. Travel is one of those “musts” in my life. I would love to be able to travel up to 6 months of each year, and work remotely, but until that’s a possibility I’m saving up for a trip every two years. My first stop is Disney and Universal this year, and then Iceland and Scandinavia in 2022! I’ve got the next 3 trips (six years) figured out if nothing changes. Plus perhaps some trips within my own country on the off years.
Travel has so many crazy benefits to it and has helped me grow so much. Thank you for this article. It’s true. Prioritizing what you spend your money on makes a huge difference. I’m trying to minimize my material objects and focus on buying things that will aid me in my travels while avoiding things that will hinder it or that are unnecessary to my daily life. Of course, it’s a hard habit to break. But the results are worth it!
Gigi
March 10, 2020Spending is a very hard habit to break, we are so conditioned to buying new things that we don’t even realise it! Even if you can only go every 2 years, it is still more than most! I hope you achieve your dream, good luck and safe travels!
Creators Hub
March 6, 2020Hi, i laughed all through as i read your article because you unveiled the bitter truth in a very subtle manner that is characteristic of a professional adventurer. Yes! just do it! that is the way to go. I am loving it here because i an also a universal normad, been to 33 Countries and still counting, you just ignited a fresh fire! The old saying that “the traveller is wiser than the old” is an understatement. My recent trip to China, Hongkong and Thailand taught me life Lessons i couldn’t learn otherwise. Experience still remains the best teacher. So if you are reading this and still sitting on the Damn fence, then i can simply say, JUST DO IT!.
Thanks so much for the stories you shared! memories are indeed much more valuable than gadgets. Lets take advantage of the genuine online income opportunities our generation is so privileged to have and enjoy the world. Much Love. Shalom
Gigi
March 10, 2020Travelling teaches you so much of the world, and shows you how to see things through other peoples eyes. Every village, city and country has something to offer, and with the world so connected now, we can meet people from all walks of life in the places you least expect! I’m very happy to meet another nomad, thank you for reading my page 🙂
Srinivasan
March 6, 2020I always wanted to travel and see all the seven wonders of the world, but did not have enough resources to do so. May be if had lived like your friend in Geneva, my wishes would have been fulfilled by now. Your article has inspired me and has made me to think of how to realize my travel wishes. Do you have any suggestions how to earn that extra money to take care of the travel without compromising on my needs?
Gigi
March 10, 2020There is no one answer to that question, and life has a habit of throwing up curveballs that can sometimes feel insurmountable! It comes down to what type of travel are you looking for? Long term or short breaks every year or so… I sold most of my extra stuff (clothes, shoes, books) and worked two jobs for 6 months before the first time I went travelling. It is not a long term solution, but it gave me a good start. If you want to travel long term, then starting your own online business is the way to go. Something that would allow you to work remotely at any time.