Growing up, my family and I were your typical vacationers. We’d take short trips during the year, usually to visit relatives in Philadelphia or Florida. These trips were filled with long car rides, stays at big chain hotels, and visits to theme parks. The most adventurous we got was a trip to Bermuda when I was eleven and a cruise when I was sixteen.
Like many middle-class American families, we vacationed the way society expected us to. There were no backpacking trips, camping adventures, or visits to exotic destinations. To me, travel was a break from the daily grind of work, a chance to relax at an all-inclusive resort or a relative’s living room. It was a way to recharge before returning to the office, a cycle that would continue until retirement.
I used to think that real travel, the kind where you truly get to know the world, was reserved for the retired, the rich, or carefree college students. The rest of us adults were too busy working and could only afford the time for a vacation.
I lived in this vacation bubble until I met backpackers on a trip to Thailand. This encounter opened my eyes to a whole new way of traveling. I realized that there was more to travel than hotels, cruises, and bus tours. Inspired by this revelation, I quit my job and started traveling.
I saw myself as a traveler, someone who was exploring the world, meeting new people, and having exciting experiences. I was often asked how to make the most of a trip if you don’t have the luxury of time. After all, we’ve been conditioned to think that vacations are for working adults and travel is for those with time.
But I’ve come to realize that travel isn’t about the length of time. It’s a mindset. Whether it’s for two days, two weeks, or two years, travel is about exploration and learning about the world and its people. It’s about trying new things, stepping out of your comfort zone, and finding your way when you’re lost or confused.
So, don’t think of travel as something that takes longer than a vacation or something that only certain people can do. Think of it as an opportunity to meet new people, challenge yourself, and break out of your comfort zone.
If you’re going to Paris and you’re worried about not having enough time to learn about the city, forget about the to-do list. Break away from the crowds and the predetermined routes. Ask yourself, "What would I do here if I had all the time in the world?" Then do that.
Sign up for a cooking class or a unique walking tour. Attend a local meet-up. Meet locals through the sharing economy. Leave your phone at the hotel, get off social media, and go for a walk. Eat at the local market. Let the days fill themselves in.
Travel is most magical when you let the days unfold naturally. It’s the unplanned, random encounters that we remember the most. And this can happen no matter how long your trip is.
There’s nothing wrong with a vacation. We all need time to unwind. But let’s put aside the notion that travel requires more time than we have. It doesn’t. Travel is not about time. It’s about mindset.
So, on your next trip, take the traveler’s mindset with you. Put down your checklist, avoid the tourist traps, go with the flow, try new things, meet new people, and push your limits. In doing so, you’ll get to know your destination in a deeper way and create a trip that moves you to the core, not just one that leaves you with a smartphone full of photos.
