If you’re a travel fanatic but you haven’t taken yourself off on a big adventure in ages, it’s worth questioning yourself on what’s holding you back from exploring like you used to. Many adults forgo the travel they used to do once their lives feel more settled, only to regret the missed opportunities later on.
If you’ve been neglecting your passion for travel, see if you’re suffering from some of the most common barriers to travel for adults. (Psst: there are some solid counter-arguments slipped in there, too.)
Goodbye, Career!
When people warn you that travel could spell the end of your career, they have simply got the wrong end of the stick. Travel can look great on your CV. When you get home from the amazing places you’ve visited and once again dip your toe in the job market, you will be happy to discover that loads of the most saleable skills you have in your arsenal will be owed to the varied and enlightening experiences you had while traveling the globe. Traveling—especially if you’ve stuck out on your own—requires everything from problem-solving to planning and flexibility. Add to those skills the maturity and immensely broader perspective you have on world cultures and issues, and you might have employers jostling to hire you.
People Need Me Here
Whether your parents, grandparents, or other relatives, or close friends depend on you for help around the house, or even just for the company, you might start feeling intense guilt every time you think about going traveling and leaving them behind for a while. But if you put solid care arrangements in place, you might find that you feel empowered to head off on your adventure. Getting a trained professional to take care of your loved ones’ personal care needs could allow you that extra peace of mind while you’re away from home, allowing you the freedom to tune in to your experiences.
Of course, your loved ones will miss you while you are away, but that doesn’t mean that they wish you’d stayed home to care for them rather than pursue your passion for travel. Knowing that your parents are backing your choices could help you appreciate your experiences more. Whether you’re at surf camp Portugal or standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, your experience will be so much more meaningful if you can be completely present in that time and place.
The Cost
Financial constraints are one of the top reasons adults cite for not going traveling. But travel is not the preserve of the wealthy. You don’t need stacks of cash to set off on your adventure. In fact, you can travel on a shoestring if you lived like one of the locals. Yes, a trip to Florence probably will be expensive, but choose a less expensive destination (Vietnam comes to mind!) and have the time of your life without breaking the bank.
Whether you’ve just settled down, or you’re fully embedded in grown-up life, travel plans can go out the window. Before you give up on your passion, see if these arguments speak to you. You could be booking your flight in no time!