There will always be excuses for why you shouldn’t travel: maybe you think it’s too expensive, too dangerous, or too difficult to plan. But we’re here to tell you that those excuses are just that—excuses.
Travelling helps you form connections with some of the most beautiful people and places on earth and enriches your life with experiences that you won’t be able to find within the four walls of your (likely overpriced) apartment. The reality is that, amongst all of those excuses, the only thing truly holding you back from experiencing life is you.
Here are some of the most common excuses preventing you from travelling—along with why they’re total bullshit.
“I don’t have enough money.”
When does anyone have “enough” money for anything? No matter what, it’s never going to seem like enough, so waiting to travel until you feel some sense of financial stability isn’t necessarily going to work in your favour. Plus, even if you don’t have enough money, why wouldn’t you want to invest in something that will enrich your life? You have likely invested in school (and beer) for similar reasons, no?
Of course you need to have some means to travel, but you’d be surprised at how cost-efficient travel can actually be. There are many more options outside of hotels—think hostels, couchsurfing, and home exchanges—which will give you an affordable and authentic cultural experience. To get started, why don’t you give up buying that pitcher or two of beer every weekend and start a travel fund instead. You’ll surprise yourself with how much you can save up.
"I have no one to go with."
We get it. The idea of travelling solo might seem scary at first, but trust us, that changes real fast. Travelling on your own opens you up to a whole world of communication and interaction not likely to happen if you travel within the comfort zone of your own #squad. Solo travel forces you to make connections with other travellers in your dorm, hostel, or even out and about at cultural activities. Everyone is in the same boat, so it will be easy to meet someone looking to adventure with you. Plus, you never know who you will meet and how it will change your life. Think about it, when was the last time you did something completely on your own? Take a chance, travel somewhere new and experience the unknown.
"I have a boyfriend/girlfriend."
So you think you shouldn’t travel because you have a significant other? That makes absolutely no sense. If you both want to travel, make it happen. See the beauty of the beaches of Bali and howl at the full moon together in Thailand. If travel is in your soul but your significant other has no desire to see the world, don’t let them hold you back from a life-enriching experience. If they do, then maybe it's a sign that you need to find someone new.
"I don't have time."
Really? You don’t have time? The only thing you have is time, and you better believe that it’s ticking. In school? Book a trip to Bali during the summer. Working Monday-Friday? Maybe it’s time for a vacation. Slinging drinks at Starbucks? It’s time to cash your tips and get the fuck out of Dodge. If you want to change your life and see the world, you need to make the time. And if you’re thinking, “I’ll just travel later or when I’m retired,” think again. Take advantage of your youth and have those experiences now before you wake up with brittle bones and a mouthful of regret when you’re 70.
"I don't speak the language."
You may not speak it now, but you soon will if you put in even a little bit of effort. Embrace the challenge—pick up a phrase book, read it, and immerse yourself in the culture when you’re there. It might take some pointing, outrageous hand gestures and facial expressions, and the occasional miscommunication, but people are often a lot more patient than we give them credit for.
"Travelling is dangerous."
We are often led to believe that everything outside of our Western bubble is dangerous. Pickpockets, terrorists, diseases—the list goes on. But you know what else is dangerous? Walking out your front door. In the same way you familiarize yourself with your local environment, familiarize yourself with the environment of the country you are travelling to. Know the risks and be prepared. Don’t let the potential danger steer you away from doing something exciting with your life.
"It's too complicated."
From accommodation bookings to daily excursions, planning a trip may seem complicated. But it doesn’t have to take the wind out of you; it’s really not as complex as it appears! Talk to friends who have travelled, reach out to acquaintances, and get the low-down on local adventures. People are generally more than happy to share their epic experiences with you—you just have to ask. Or, you can book a BT trip. Take it from us, a well-crafted excursion to Thailand, Bali or Costa Rica will change you. We set everything up—you just have to show up with a positive attitude and a desire for adventure.
The moral of the story? Your laundry list of excuses to not travel is complete bullshit. So, stop trying to avoid adventure and start making small changes to make your dreams a reality. Save up your coins, sell some of your superficial shit, and invest in real experiences. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
See you at the beach. #longlivethebeach
Photos: Galyna Andrusko / Shutterstock, Konstantin Aksenov / Shutterstock, PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek / Shutterstock, Valeriy Lebedev / Shutterstock, MJ Prototype / Shutterstock, AndreyUG / Shutterstock
