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10 Ways to Stop Making Excuses and Travel in 2020

Stop Making Excuses and Make Travel happen

“Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you…. If it’s important to you and you want to do it ‘eventually,’ just do it and correct course along the way.”

Tim Ferriss

Do you set New Year’s Resolutions about travel? Or make bucket lists of places to see before a certain age? Do you take stock on birthdays to see what you’ve accomplished and think about where’s next? And the most important question… do you make the travel ambitions you have, actually happen?

If the answer is yes, then good for you, don’t stop pursuing your travel dreams! If the answer is no, we need to talk.

There’s something standing between you and travel, and that something is you.

Now I am well aware that to travel is a privilege, and I am by no means seeking to belittle anyone who genuinely cannot travel because of unchangeable personal circumstances, or who just really doesn’t want to. I’m talking about those of you who want to travel but it just never seems to happen. You can’t save the money or find the time or are possibly even a little afraid of making the leap, even if you won’t admit it. Is that you?

If I got money for every time someone told me how lucky I am to travel or how brave, then let’s just say I would be… well probably putting all that money into MORE travel. Because the thing is, to a point, it’s really not about having luck or being brave. It’s a choice. If you’re in a position where you’re privileged enough to be able to make travel happen, and if you have made a goal to travel more then you need to follow that through and actually MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Sounds easy, but how do you actually do it? Well for the constant hesitators and excuse-finders, here are ten ways to make travel happen for you this year.

1. Begin with small adventures

One of the biggest barriers people have to travel is in their mind. They think travel must be a grand, or long, or luxurious adventure. They picture themselves on the beach in the Maldives, or eating in every expensive cafe in Paris, or maybe even travelling the entire world in a year. Great goals! But maybe not a realistic place to start.

Travel comes in many forms. At its base level, it’s exploring new places and learning new things, which you can actually do not far from your very own doorstep. I think we are the worst at exploring our own close surroundings!

So you want to have more travel adventures this year? Start by checking out what’s in your local area and slowly expanding further out. There are bound to be free and low-cost things to get you started, even if it’s just some local walks.

Make a list of all the adventures you can have within a day from your home and set about planning them. 

Make Travel Happen

2. Start a travel fund

Sorry, there is no magical way to have money for travel appear in your bank account (I really wish there was!).  Except for maybe the lottery and if someone can figure out how to guarantee that please email me asap!

Instead, if you make small sacrifices in your spending every day then soon they will start to add up. Think about your purchases, what you REALLY need and what is just a personal preference, or something you can do without for now. When you’re finding it tough to save remember you’ll be paid back later in a much richer way that has nothing to do with money.

We often look back at travel experiences as priceless, so just keep that in mind!

3. Travel and flight deals for the win

Travel planning can all look rather overwhelming and expensive if you don’t know where to start, but it doesn’t have to be. You can check out my Travel Resources page for places to start looking for travel deals. Personally, I love using Skyscanner and keeping an eye on Secret Flying. They post on Facebook and email about amazing deals all the time and I swear I could book a flight a day!

I rarely ever search for flights or travel by going directly to an airline. instead, I find deals elsewhere and check the airline to confirm.

Think about your travel style too. Consider travelling with carry on luggage only instead of paying a fortune in luggage fees. When you’re booking local travel compare buses and trains and look at different routes or options. Sometimes you can save a lot on a fare if you’re willing to make a change, or are able to be flexible with your route. Don’t search hotels directly just because you know the name, use somewhere like Booking.com to look for deals first. 

Definitely consider travelling in offseason or the shoulder seasons rather than at the busiest time. Check out all the reasons why I love offseason travel here!

It can be more effort to do all this searching and planning but if you really want to travel you’ll realise that effort put into research will yield the results you need to make it more affordable.

Book Cheap Flights

4. Loyalty programs and points

Now, this isn’t something I’ve ever done, mostly because I’ve jumped around too many countries to settle on something and a lot of the deals seem to be based in the United States. But if you start searching and you’re prepared to put in a bit of work then the benefits of travel reward programs can really pay off, literally. Plus, it can be like another travel fund and be more motivation to get going!

5. Realise that you can work and travel

Travel doesn’t mean you need to have loads of time off work to see what you want to. It’s about making the best use of whatever time you have to travel, or even considering working and travelling together. When I say that you can work and travel I’m not just talking about the digital nomad craze that’s taken over the world right now or that you need to become a travel blogger, but about all sorts of jobs that let you work and travel the world. You just have to realise that what you’re doing now at home, you might be able to do somewhere else. Or you can find something new to do overseas!

It doesn’t even have to be for long, but living abroad for any time gives you the opportunity to explore another place for deeply and to explore the places nearby too! If you’re a student, look into study abroad options. If you’re in the 18-30 bracket, there are Working Holiday Visa options in many different countries depending on your nationality. But even if neither of those is you, have you thought about changing career, taking a career break, or whether there are options to work abroad in your field? Living abroad isn’t for everyone, but I think it’s much more achievable than many people realise! 

Plus saving to move abroad can be faster or easier than for long-term travel. I know it sounds like a scary prospect, but once you’ve done it I swear it will be one of the best things you’ve ever done.

Work and Travel

6. Save money and travel cheaper by housesitting

If you are travelling long-term, then seriously consider housesitting. Actually, you can even housesit in your own city to save money on rent! Generally housesitting goes along with looking after pets like cats or dogs, but not always. My parents have been housesitting for six months in Europe and it has saved them so much money on accommodation, one of the biggest costs of travelling, and it means they can travel for much longer.

7. Change the way you travel

You may sense a theme in this list of realising that there is more than one way to travel. Well, that’s because it’s one of the biggest things you need to realise to get yourself on the road. If you’ve always thought of travel in one way and you’re finding it hard to make that happen, then it’s time to mix things up.

Travel more often by thinking about weekend getaways to places within easy driving distance, or short flights. Or even day trips count as travel!

Instead of taking a week in one place, split it into 4 days in one and 3 in another close by (I’m obsessed with seeing more than one place when I travel). Map out a road trip you can do in just a few days, or lump your vacation days together and take a whole month to travel Europe, or up the west coast of the United States, or South East Asia, or whatever! You can balance the rest of the year with those local and weekend only trips.

Only you know your circumstances, but it’s time to get creative!

Travel differently and take chances

8. Realise that it’s now or never and make it now

We all know that we only have a finite amount of time, and yet we don’t act like it very often. The thing is, we can have all these hopes and dreams for the future and then something happens and it just doesn’t work out. Not everything can happen right away, but a sooner rather than later attitude is the key here. Sooner means actual plans, and so more possibility of it really happening.

Honestly, the keyword is action. If you want to travel more, you have to act. Personally, I’m extremely good at acting when it comes to travel, and yet in other aspects of my life, not so great. If you’re the opposite, it’s time to change!

The majority of the times that I have felt most alive have been on the road. Literally. There’s something about travelling that puts you in the moment and reminds you how amazing this life really is.

9. Realise that travel isn’t this big scary thing

I know it’s easy to say just travel and it’ll be fine when I’ve been doing it for years. To someone who has never really travelled a lot before it can be a daunting prospect! Luckily, there are so many resources out there now about solo travel and making friends when you travel, or places to find people to travel with, so you don’t have to do it alone.

Like the first point, start small and build up to bigger adventures. Join Facebook groups and chat with other people who are travel first-timers too. Or email me and let me know your concerns!

Making friends when you travel

10. Just book it!

The hardest thing is pressing the “book” button. Even I get nervous about whether I’m making the right decision! But once you’ve done it you’ll find a way to make it work and it will all fall into place. It’s happened to me time and time again. Just step out of your comfort zone for literally the second it takes to click the button, and you’re already well on your way!

Then later on the travel bug will bite and you’ll be wishing you could book everything under the sun…

So there you have it, ways to get yourself travelling more this year. If you have ideas about travel but you don’t know how to make them happen, get in touch. I’m always up for talking about travel.

Is 2020 your year to travel? Say YES!

Sonja x

If you liked it, pin it!

Tim Ferriss Quote

 

Stop making Excuses and Make Travel Happen

 

38 thoughts on “10 Ways to Stop Making Excuses and Travel in 2020

  1. AlicevstheWorld says:

    I travelled abroad as a solo traveller last year and got a lot of the ‘you’re so brave’ malarky. Now I’m never gonna turn down a good compliment, but I do think in reality most people COULD travel solo, they just don’t want to. Much like making travel a priority financially, I think most people are very capable of travelling abroad alone, it’s just not important enough to them to actually TRY it! Which is a pity as it does hold them back from some awesome experiences.

  2. Jean says:

    Oh it annoys me so much when people say they can’t afford to travel and that I’m so lucky because I travel. LIES. All lies. We can all travel near or far. You’ve got some great tips on how people can do just do this.

  3. Iza Abao, Two Monkeys Travel Group Writer says:

    I am going to travel more this year because I have been working as a digital nomad since last November. I am also grateful that I will be able to travel because of my work. I have traveled to only one place last year because I was looking for a job. I felt lonely because I had no time and money to travel. I am hoping that I will visit a lot of places this year.

  4. Rhiannon says:

    Such great tips! I was contemplating whether or not to do a Contiki tour for months a couple of years ago, and eventually decided to just do it! It was an amazing two weeks, and I got to live my dream of visiting New York City! Life is too short, so I agree – just book it!

  5. Samantha Lorenz says:

    I LOVE everything about this article. I used to hold myself back and make excuses not to travel but once I stepped outside of my comfort zone everything changed. You can make anything work if you make it important. Thanks for the tips!

  6. James Smith says:

    I agree, just a little bit of planning is required to book some travel. If you’re flexible with your location and dates, then you can find some great deals Once you see a great deal, book it!. What I need to stop making excuses with is my diet. I can’t quit the chocolate!

    • Migrating Miss says:

      Flexibility is really key for getting deals, thanks for the reminder! I’ve been so so many random places I wouldn’t have considered otherwise because of deals and I’ve ended up loving them! I completely can’t quit sugar. Should probably try harder…

  7. Cliodhna Ryan says:

    I think your last point is the most important. Once you book it, you will find a way to make it work! I have spent countless hours before a trip fretting about money and time off, but once the plane takes off I know it will all work out. These are great tips.

  8. Naomi says:

    I don’t do new year’s resolutions (at all) but I do feel I need to prioritize where I am going and where I travel. I get caught in a web of cheap tickets and travel bargains and the destinations I really really want to go to, just don’t happen. Last year I set a lot aside to finally go to South America and that feels so great. This year I’m bumping Cinque Terre and Prague from my top 5 wish destinations. But for some reason I am not going to Jordan… but I did book a trip to Iran. It wasn’t high on the list but.. bargain!! LOL

    • Migrating Miss says:

      I know what you mean! It’s so easy to just keep booking cheap flights and then you miss organising the places you really want to go to! I’m trying to travel with a bit more purpose now and hit up those places, but there are just so many tempting destinations! Iran should be amazing 😀

  9. Vicki Louise says:

    Great tips! I think the biggest one for me is ‘Just Book it!’ – once you have forked out the money for a flight you force yourself to make the most of it and the rest follows!

  10. Nuria Vidal says:

    Such great tips here Sonja! I travelled solo for 2 years and also had to hear oh, you’re so brave, you’re so young, but the true is that I feel confident, I feel like at home when travelling, and I agree with you, it’s not that scary big thing haha plus, you see new places, have new opportunities, and make a bunch of new friends around the world that who knows some day you’ll be travel to their home town and have free accommodation 😛 haha

    • Migrating Miss says:

      Thank you so much! I definitely understand feeling more confident when travelling, it’s like you can almost be more yourself because no one expects you to be a certain way! I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve met up with people again 😀

  11. Natalie says:

    Yes, just go for it! This is a GREAT topic for families. I hear all the time questions about the ‘right’ time for traveling with the kids – the ‘right’ age for them. Will they even remember? (Yes, they will!) Will it be worth the extra planning and effort? (Yes, it is!!) The answer for families is the same – JUST GO FOR IT!

    What you gain from the experience will always FAR outweigh all the worries. You can travel – you SHOULD travel! Take the plunge and do it now!!

    • Migrating Miss says:

      That’s such a great point! I’ve wondered about the right time, even though I don’t have kids myself, but then I remember that I started young and have great memories from it! And the experience most definitely outweighs the worries :). Thanks!

  12. Greg Kennon says:

    Awesome post! If you want to do something, do it now! I think so many people make excuses for why they can’t do something. I am a personal trainer so have unfortunately seen this attitude manifest itself in the health arena as well. Starting small, whether in travel or health, is definitely key. Do what you can, with what you have!

    What’s one of the best places you’ve traveled to?

    • Migrating Miss says:

      Thank you! I think excuses are everywhere, but we really have to try and push past them! Choosing one is so hard, but I absolutely love Spain, and Scotland, and Iceland, and… everywhere haha. Iceland is probably the most extreme in terms of the landscape being so different!

  13. Yvonne says:

    Excellent post ! I especially like the first point in just getting started, so very helpful as there can be so much to explore locally before venturing wider. I’m sure this article will be inspiring to those just sitting on the edge wondering how to go about their travel desires. Thanks for your encouragement. I love this quote too 🙂

  14. Carmen W says:

    I am so Thankful & Grateful for finding your blog. First re an amazing writer… and I kind of quit reading the useless information from so many bloggers. I’m 48′ single female. I’ve been in bed with Lyme when I turned 40. I had an amazing life that I built, starred in and worked hard for. i have never been sick, EVER. Even living in Central Mexico in the 80’s. So… I have starred at the walls for 10 years and now I’m up. And I’m doing it. BTW… The Alchemist is my favorite book.. where there is a WILL….THERE IS A WAY! “If you think adventure is dangerous, try ROUTINE ITS LETHAL ” – P. COeleo So as a single female …. I’m going to live again, see the ? and know that I will not leave this world with any regret!! So glad to find you, your advice, links … AWESOME. WORLD PEACE. ( no I’m not a hippie chick. I just believe in LOVE. Carmen

  15. Craig says:

    Some great tips there. I work 9-5 but try to get away as much as I can. Just because I can’t go to South East Asia for 11 months of the year doesn’t mean I can’t see some amazing things both home and away.

  16. Sara says:

    Very inspiring just now, as I have 8 days to take and my boyfriend none and I think it IS the right moment to make a solo trip. Now I just need to decide where to! Thanks! 🙂 xxxx

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