How To View Life as a Traveler and Not a Tourist: Budgeting, Cheap Travel, and Sacrificing Uncomfortability
Whenever I was sat in front of the TV and my Dad was around - he would always change whatever I was watching to the National Geographic. So, instead of watching SpongeBob - majority of the time I was watching documentaries about traveling. Then from National Geographic, I was introduced to Anthony Bourdain, I was gifted a globe, various of travel books, and photography books from my Dad. I think that is where my travel bug stems from… now that I trace it all back. Back then, I wanted to be a National Geographic photographer - though that passion has slightly changed… traveling has not.
I am at the point of my early twenties where all I think about is traveling. I daydream about traveling, I chat about trips, I watch solo backpacking videos in my free time, and am constantly planning about where I want to go next. And the beautiful thing is, is that I believe it is so natural to be intrinsically curious about the World we live in; and to want to explore it so bad. It’s like this definitive surge that glows within me.
That is why, I believe right now - especially during your early twenties is the best time to sacrifice a lot of things for this uncomfortability. Though I know a lot of us would love a lavish vacation - not many (including me) can’t afford it so early on within our careers and lives right at this current moment. Maybe in 30 years time? Sure! But right now - absolutely not. And that is why I deeply encourage sometimes being open to sacrificing comfortability or even familiarity for something new.
That’s why I don’t believe that traveling needs to be insanely expensive. I think people are shocked with the amount of trips I go on during a year - however there are many factors that go into making it all possible.
I try to work an insane amount and then put that towards traveling. It adds up; and pair that with timing out when to buy your tickets, the season you’re traveling, and the destination - you can score on insanely low or reasonable prices. I have sacrificed a lot in my own personal life too in order to do that. Doing things such as: moving home, budgeting an insane amount, canceling smaller that would inevitably add up to a cost of a bigger one I’d go to, meal prepping and canceling dinner plans, etc. It’s the give and take of life… naturally.
I truly believe that within your twenties - you are meant to be experience so much and to sacrifice things all for the sake of the experience at hand.
I think it is beautiful that there is a surge to do things now instead of withholding them for way later. I am all for sacrificing and stretching beyond your limitations in order to establish the neuroplasticity of learning and creating experiences beyond a classroom.
That is why, I try to book an Airbnb or a hostel in the town I am staying at, solo travel, ask recommendations from locals for cheap eats, and try to fit everything I can into a carry on and a personal backpack for my adventures. I believe these little swaps out and not just defaulting to luxury is important.
The saying goes: “Your 20’s are meant for traveling and your 40’s are meant for holidays.” And I think that is true to such an extent. When you’re in your twenties, you’re more than likely to put up with a little less because you may not have a lot of begin with. You’re able to stretch thin because you have the means to. However, I could imagine in your 40’s - say you have a career, kids maybe, and your body and your bank account doesn’t have to stretch beyond those limitations, then you’re able to splurge for that luxury of a holiday.
In a very gratifying way - I find that pleasing. In the sense that I can hold that experience a little later in life and to indulge in the sweetness when it’s in due time. For now, I will share a hostel room with strangers all over the World - and then two decades from now I will share a luxury hotel room with just my husband. I will Jam Pack everything into a carry on; and then later on will be able to afford two suitcases during a round trip. For now, I will eat cheaply at a hole in the wall restaurant with strangers I just met; and when I am forty I will bring my kids to that very same restaurant. And in all those scenarios, I will enjoy with satisfaction and utmost gratitude.
All my love,
Brejette Nepa