Time. It’s like sand slipping through our fingers, isn’t it? We always feel like we’re running out of it. And it’s one of the biggest reasons people tell me they can’t travel as much as they’d like. Sure, money is a factor too, but let’s focus on time for now.
Even though the pandemic has made remote work more common, not everyone has the luxury to work from anywhere. But here’s the thing: even those stuck in office jobs, especially my American friends, wish they could travel more. They feel they just don’t have the time. But they’re mistaken. Here’s why.
Imagine you work 50 weeks a year and get a two-week vacation. If you’re not from the U.S., you probably get more vacation time, which is fantastic. But let’s stick with this scenario for now. If you add up your vacation days and all the weekends in a year, you get 110 days. That’s almost four months! And if you throw in three-day weekends and holidays, you get even more time. Sure, it’s not all in one stretch, but it’s still a lot of time to explore.
So, what are you doing with all this time? It all comes down to priorities. We all have daily obligations, but if you really want something, you’ll find a way to make it happen. For instance, I always say I don’t have time to hit the gym. But the truth is, I do have time; I just choose to spend it elsewhere because the gym isn’t my priority.
Another thing to consider is that many people equate "travel" with long, expensive trips. They think of two-week vacations, cruises, or multi-month journeys to far-off places. But that’s not the only way to travel. The travel industry might want us to believe that because it means we’ll spend more money, but there are plenty of other options.
The pandemic has shown us that there’s so much to see and do close to home. Even if you don’t have months to travel, you still have those 110 days. If you make travel a priority, you can definitely do more of it.
So, what kind of trips can you take that don’t require a lot of time but still make a big impact? Here are a few ideas:
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Weekend Getaways: Spend a weekend exploring a nearby city, town, or national park. Even a couple of days can be enough to break up your routine and satisfy your wanderlust until your next big trip.
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Stay Close: If you only have a week, don’t waste time traveling to the other side of the world. Choose a destination that’s closer to home. You’ll spend less time traveling and more time enjoying your trip.
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Be a Local Tourist: How often do you explore your own city? Spend a weekend being a tourist in your hometown. You might be surprised at how much there is to see and do.
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Maximize Your Time: Don’t try to see everything at once. Stick to one or two places and really get to know them. Quality over quantity is the key here.
Remember, you don’t need months to travel. There are plenty of ways to see the world without having to become a nomad. The next time you think you don’t have time to travel, consider all the places nearby you could explore. By using your time wisely, prioritizing travel, and thinking outside the box, you’ll find you do have time to explore the world. After all, travel is about exploration, and that can happen anywhere, anytime.
