Life can be a whirlwind, right? Work, bills, relationships, and everything else in between can really pile on the stress. Sure, we can try to manage it by eating better, exercising more, getting enough sleep, and trying to find that elusive work-life balance. But sometimes, we need more than just a lifestyle change. Sometimes, we need a break. And what better way to do that than to travel?
Think of travel as a timeout from life. Remember those timeouts you used to get in grade school? Well, this is like that, but way more fun. Travel slows us down, makes us stop and smell the roses, and shakes up our usual routines. It’s not about running away from responsibilities, but rather giving ourselves a much-needed mental and physical break.
Travel is a fantastic way to reset when you’re feeling down or just need a fresh perspective. It’s a tool for personal growth and self-reflection. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a week-long vacation, a month-long adventure, or even a year-long journey, just stepping out of your usual environment can recharge your batteries. The thrill of new experiences, the fun of exploration, and the discovery of new places can give you a fresh burst of energy and help you regain focus. Plus, you’ll meet some amazing people and maybe even get a chance to disconnect from the digital world.
When you travel, you’re away from all the usual stressors. You’re in a new environment, with new sights to see, new people to meet, new places to explore, and new challenges to conquer. It’s a chance to let go, relax, and embrace new habits or perspectives. In short, you can reinvent yourself. And the best part? You have complete freedom when you travel, and there’s nothing more liberating and stress-free than that.
By focusing on your mental health when you travel, you can return to your responsibilities with renewed focus and commitment, because you’ve cleared your head. But isn’t travel expensive? Doesn’t it require a lot of planning and savings? Well, if you believe the TV ads for fancy vacations, then yes. But the truth is, travel can be super affordable. With the rise of points and miles, credit cards that offer points/miles, cheap flight deals, and the sharing economy, it’s never been cheaper to see the world on a budget.
Plus, you might discover a new passion or opportunity that you would never have found otherwise. There are tons of job opportunities overseas, so you can even work while traveling if you want. In his book The Four Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss talks about the idea of mini-retirements. Most of us work towards retirement, that time when we can finally relax and do what we want instead of what we have to do. But by the time many of us get there, we might not have the money or health to do that. After all, there are no guarantees in life.
We may never even make it to retirement. That’s why I say: don’t put off your dreams for a future that may never come. That’s why I say: now is the best time to travel, because you don’t know what the future holds. I’ve seen friends pass away, get sick and become bedridden, and businesses collapse. The past is not prologue and if COVID has taught us anything it’s that life and society can change in an instant.
Don’t be reckless and rack up debt to travel. But if you need a change, look to the open road. The blank slate travel gives you allows you to work on yourself and enjoy life. No one looks back and says, "If only I had worked more." We all want to make the most of our time here. Stop delaying all those things you really want to do and just do them. Don’t let your travel dreams remain just dreams — make them your goals.
So, the next time you’re daydreaming about white-sand beaches or climbing Mt. Everest, start making those dreams a reality. Don’t let yourself wonder what might have been. Life is too short.
