Spend your money on travel, not things.

Feb 17

Our generation is simply put- obsessed with fast fashion, the newest gadgets, the most aesthetically pleasing household items, you name it, we WILL buy it. I am not completely innocent, trust me. When I graduated, left college and started my career I already had a passion for travel… but during college I developed an addiction to shopping and having the next best thing. I’m 22 years old and can personally say I do 1-2 “big” shopping hauls a year now an d try to refrain from shopping otherwise. Why? because I manage my money to incorporate things I want and love. Now, if you want to focus on buying those things that’s completely different than letting those purchases hinder your travel opportunities… that’s the situation I am discussing here.

Life is simply too short to spend all of your money buying the newest trends instead of making memories doing things you find fire and passion in. My first “big girl” paycheck I started budgeting. I can make a separate post detailing my monthly finances but I will say that I save and invest a large amount of my income. I also prioritize investing and travel money over any other monthly purchases. This allows me to always have money on hand when a crazy trip presents itself. For example, this past September I had no trips planned but Southwest was having a flight deal. I was randomly scrolling through destinations and sure enough saw a round trip ticket for 300$ to Maui, Hawaii. God only knows the speed at which my fingers hit purchase on that one LOL. Anyways my point was I didn’t exactly save for a two week tropical get away to Hawaii.. I had the money on hand and when it presented itself I was able to just go for it!

So, why exactly should we travel??? I could quite literally make a list as long as my destinations bucket list but I digress. Here are my top reasons why everyone in their young twenties should prioritize travel.

You can not grow if you are in constant routine and comfortability mode, travel disrupts your “normal” and forces you to grow.
Humans were not meant to be stagnant and so disciplined. Our era glamorizes “grind” and “hustle” mode which to a certain extent is productive but for the most part we’re were meant to live different stages and prosper off a variety of circumstances. Travel allows us to be mentally, physically and spiritually challenged apart from our mundane routine and hustle culture!
You are creating memories that will instill life long lessons. Self explanatory.
It allows you to expand intellectually. This world is made up a billions of different types of individuals, culture, food, ethnicity, language, fashion, tradition etc. unless one makes an active effort to explore the diversity of the world it’s genuinely hard to immerse yourself in it unless you travel. Even living in a diverse city is not the same as traveling and placing you’re self in those senecios.
Do things you can’t at home!!!! Everyone craves a little crazy you can’t convince me otherwise. Travel let’s you find other hobbies you might love, try new things, eat new foods and get a taste of a different fashion sense! I for example had no idea how much I loved adrenaline junkie activities until I went bungee jumping and zip lining. Now? I see a rope and hundreds of feet between me and death i’m all in. LOL jokes but not really.
Our time does expire. I know we are still so so young but no one lives forever, and no one knows how long they will live. As a nurse I feel I have a much more realistic grasp on life and death than a lot of people and all i’m going to say here is do it. Whatever it is you want to do, travel to, etc…. do it. If it doesn’t hurt anyone than I see zero reason to even doubt it.
The people you meet when you travel are life changing. Call me crazy but the people I have met traveling have been some of the best relationships I have formed. You tend to meet more like minded and creative individuals while traveling. I think as young adults we are often forming “fast friends” through college, work, etc. We tend to lean towards the most convenient people. It sounds kinda rough but it’s true. Traveling has a way of bringing “your people” to you!
When I was 15 I was “finding myself” when i was 17 i was “finding myself” when I was 20 i was “finding myself”… point is teens and young adults are constantly going through changes and transitions (big ones) and navigating them. In these stages feeling at ease is near impossible. Again, it’s hard to describe but traveling has allowed me to view myself and life from a birds eye view and I think it’s due to the fact that you are forced to be uncomfortable and in sticky situations while traveling and that molds you into someone who critically thinks, knows what she likes and dislikes and has a goal in mind.
There is not simple way to say this without sounding almost crude but people are not meant to stay in their small home town with the same 10 people for their entire lives. Leaving your hometown and traveling even for just a few months allows you to bend your mindset, expand your thoughts, morals and principals to whatever the hell you want them to be instead of placing yourself in a box of what your family and friends are. I fully respect and even understand going back to your hometown to settle down and be next to family but to never experience any other lifestyle can hinder the way one views life.
It’s beautiful out there. The world is so crazy gorgeous and we treat it so so poorly. Who knows how long these sights will be around so don’t hesitate. Travel, swim, fly do it all, NOW. Not in 10 years not in 10 months. Do it now.

Traveling allows for translations to our everyday life in so many avenues. It’s important we consider ourselves opportunists and make choices that will propel us towards new ventures! Surround yourself with wellness, good people and warmth and watch how travel enhances them.