These days, when you open your Facebook or Instagram, you’ll be greeted with tons of travel photos and adventures shared with from your friends. These are incredible photos to see that makes you wonder: don’t you have any travel or exploration plans for yourself?
No, it won’t be to share your travel photos through your social media, albeit no one’s stopping you from doing so. It’s for your own personal gain—a journey of self-discovery.
If you still don’t know what’s stopping you from traveling when deep inside your mind and soul yearns for it, here are the factors that could be holding you back and ways on how to break free from them.
It’s not your priority
This is not a shocker. Some people prioritize travel over financial investments and professional career while others have ‘travel’ listed down the list of their priorities. It’s understandable and reasonable. But if you turn 40 and regretful of all your young years wasted on career and others things instead of savouring the moment to explore the world, we can’t blame you.
If you do find yourself daydreaming to tour the Sydney Opera House or catch some waves in Indonesia, then you’re certainly missing a lot—and you ought to make your desire to travel up your priority list. Besides, these memories are more valuable than money can ever buy. As cliché as it sounds, travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.
You’re waiting for a travel buddy
You have the time and the money, how many times have you missed travel opportunities because of the sole reason that you don’t have anyone to come with you?
We know, it can be pretty scary to go alone but if ever you’re faced with the same conundrum and opportunity, bear in mind that there are lots of people out there who have traveled solo before you who found that going on a solo trip is completely freeing and peaceful—no buddies to wait for when it’s time to go.
Before you leave, make sure to research about the destination you’re going and some safety tips and do’s and don’ts. Also, find secure hotels or accommodations via recommendations from friends and fellow travelers.
You’re afraid
Of course, you are! Especially if you’re traveling alone. Fear is natural and it comes in many forms—don’t confuse self-doubt with fear. You must know that when you’re traveling, you can’t control what’s happening. You can create your itinerary and plan but whatever happens at those moments are out of your control. So if encountering wacky, unexpected scenarios are what you’re fearful of, these are—as you well put—unexpected. So don’t scare yourself too much.
You know what? Go do something that scares you. Scared of heights? Go bungee jumping or hiking. Do something that terrifies you, after then, you’ll realize it’s not scary at all.
You think traveling is expensive
Sure, traveling isn’t cheap. But there are countless ways you can travel affordably and within your budget limit.
Don’t even make the excuse of not having money to fund your bucket list adventures if you you’re equipped with the latest smartphone, car, and daily morning Starbucks coffee. That every morning latté can get you a flight to Southeast Asia for all you know. It’s a matter of changing your lifestyle according to your goals and priorities.
You simply don’t have time
You deserve a time off work, away from your family, and five tequilas away from your friends. You deserve a time all to yourself. Besides, you don’t need that much time to travel. You can take a weekender at a nearby beach or 4 to 5 days out of town. The farther destinations you want to explore, the longer the time you’ll need if you want to immerse in their culture and see as much as you can. If you really want to travel, don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen.
If you’re always daydreaming about surfing in Cali or experiencing the Holi festival in India, don’t let unreasonable excuses keep you from making an adventure of a lifetime. Pack your bags and just go.
About the author: An adventurer at heart, Chie Suarez aims to finish her travel bucket list before she hits 40. For the meantime, she writes for Holiday Inn Parramatta Hotel—stay and experience the historical part of Sydney whether for business or leisure.