Seeing the world isn’t just about fun - it’s about discovering, learning, and growing as individuals. It also helps us to relax and recharge, boosting our creativity and productivity, and giving us the confident attitude we need to take on anything that life throws at us. Whether we admit it to ourselves or not, we all want these experiences, but many of us spout out ill-conceived excuses and allow them to hold us back from our travel goals. Here are seven of the most common ones that you should ignore, pronto.
“It Costs Too Much”
The life of a traveller can be an expensive one, but it certainly doesn’t have to be. Many people who travel are far from the richest of individuals in terms of financial wealth, but it's the richness of life travel provides that's the biggest joy of it. There are plenty of ways to cut costs and save some money both on the road and at home. Sign up to your favourite travel sites emails to be alerted of special deals and consider splitting costs with a group of friends for more bang for your buck. You may not always have five star, luxurious service, of course, but you will be out and about in the world making priceless memories. You may not be able to get the money together overnight, but with some planning and a few sacrifices, anything is possible.
Plan and book a short trip somewhere nearby first to get the wheels in motion. Booking it locks you into the motivation to earn and save to make it happen and pay it off, and planning cements the vision in your mind to keep you on track!
“I Won’t Be Safe”
With all the horror stories you hear on the news, as well as actual horror stories, it’s no wonder why so many people are scared to venture away from the norm, especially alone or for the first time. That being said, it’s important to remember that every country, town, city, and area in the world could pose a risk to you, even your own home. Instead of bowing down to fear, you should do your homework, keep your wits about you, get good insurance, and watch out for yourself on the road.
“When you stop existing and you start truly living, each moment of the day comes alive with the wonder and synchronicity.”
― Steve Maraboli
“I’ve Never Travelled Before”
Stepping out of your comfort zone is never an easy thing to do, but it’s vital for personal growth. To get the most of your life, you need to try new things now and then, and travel is one of the most fun ways to do just that. To ease your anxiety a little, get reading travel brochures, blogs, guides, and the ultimate travellers checklist for 2018. This way, you’ll feel a bit more prepared for the experience, but can still reap all of the rewards and benefits that are sure to come with it. Just start.
“I Can’t Go Alone”
The idea of exploring the world on your own is definitely intimidating, but it’s a worthwhile experience nonetheless. Without the influence of anyone else, you have the freedom to go where you want, do what you want, and organise your schedule to suit your needs and preferences. Plus, travelling solo doesn’t actually mean that you’re always going to be on your own. You will meet other travellers along the way who you may want to tag along with for a little while. Or go solo for one leg of your trip and then join up with a tour group. Some groups cater specifically to solo travellers and can be a great way to make friends for life from around the globe.
“I Have A Family”
Regardless of your circumstances, holding back from the things you want out of life can lead to regrets, which could result in resentment that has a negative impact on your relationships. Consider travelling with your partner, spouse, kids, or other family member. The perfect time to take an adventure together is before it's too late. It won’t always be easy, but it can work if everyone is on board. Pick and plan trips together, inclusively adding an item to your itinerary to delight each member on the journey.
There's plenty of family friendly and affordable adventures to take, including long-term life on the road, once in a lifetime type trips. Get creative, find forums or Facebook groups with advice from others who've done the same and make it happen. If this isn’t possible, then do find time to venture off alone - it might cause a wicked case of FOMO and inspire other family members to join you next time.
“I'm Not Multilingual”
Most people assume that avid travellers always know two or more languages to help them out in other countries. Thankfully, this isn’t always true. While it can be helpful (and often polite) to know the native tongue of the area you’re visiting, as long as you know English and are willing to learn a few salutations, you can usually get by just fine. There are also plenty of apps and online tools that you can use to translate words, sentences, and signs. They can even translate what you say in real time to help you converse with the locals. And maybe now's a good time to start learning that language you've always wanted to learn, watch movies, YouTube videos and immerse yourself in that culture to inspire you to visit sooner!
“I Don’t Like Flying”
The idea of flying can put the bravest of people on edge, but that doesn’t mean that you should allow airplanes to hold you back from your travels. Instead, find practical strategies to ease your anxiety and relax in and around planes. From someone who was always afraid, I hope it's of some hope to you that it does get easier with practice. And of course, there are plenty of land and sea options to consider too. It may take a little longer to reach your destination, but it's better than missing out!
Travel is something almost everyone wants to do,
so don’t let silly excuses hold you back from your dreams.
Go wandering friends, and let us know your next destination in the comments below.
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This is so intriguing and so true! When I travel I often times sleep at campgrounds and pitch a tent instead of hotels if the weather permits just to cut spending and spend more time with nature. It doesn’t have to be expensive just get out and go!