Long-term traveling is a big commitment, but if you’ve been bitten with the travel bug more than once, it can also equate to the adventure of a lifetime. Long-term travel is so much more than just packing a suitcase for a weekend trip. It can include anything from driving around the country in an RV for a year to finding yourself Googling “house for rent Bangsar” if you’re traveling to another country and need a place to stay.
Whether you’re traveling with children, solo, or with your significant other, there are some important tips to keep in mind to help make the travel experience easier and less stressful.
So, let’s talk about some of those tips. Being as prepared as possible for the long-term travel experience will make it so much more enjoyable for you and your fellow travelers. Put these tips into practice as you plan your next adventure, and you’ll be able to enjoy it to the fullest.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you’re traveling for a long period of time is to rush yourself. Traveling can burn you out quickly, especially if you feel like you’re always getting into taxis, Ubers, buses and trains.
Instead of focusing on constantly getting to another destination, spend more time enjoying the place you’re in right now. Give yourself a few extra days in each location to really explore at a leisurely pace. In doing so, you’ll reduce a lot of stress, keep yourself healthy, and you may discover things about a certain location that you never would have expected.
For some people, long-term travel turns into lifetime travel. While you don’t necessarily need to give up your home life, you can certainly extend your travels or even just make a bit of extra cash on the side by working while you’re on the road.
As of 2017, there were over 55 million people in the gig economy in the U.S. alone. The gig economy refers to individuals who do contract or freelance work, either on the side or as a full-time job.
Thanks to advancements in technology, there are some jobs that can be done from literally anywhere in the world. So, whether you’re trying to make a living or just some extra money, consider what your skills and talents are and how they could be put to use from the road to land a job.
One of the biggest drawbacks of long-term travel is that it’s far too easy to see things from a jaded perspective after a while. That doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the beauty or splendor of a location. But, perhaps on first glance, it doesn’t make your heart race the way it might have if you hadn’t been traveling for a year.
It’s important to keep things in perspective when you’re traveling for long periods of time. Look at everything with fresh eyes as much as possible. What might seem like “just another monument” to you likely has incredible meaning and value. Seek out those experiences and learn as much as possible about the places you’re visiting, the sights you’re seeing, and the cultures you’re stepping into. No two experiences in the world are exactly alike. When you go into a situation with that in mind, you can make the most of your experience and appreciate it for what it is.
In addition to traveling slowly, it’s also a good idea to recharge your batteries at least one day each week. Whether you’re staying in a hotel, rental home, or even in your RV, take a day off from traveling or being a tourist once a week.
That can mean different things for different people, of course. Maybe on your day off, you choose to sleep in. Maybe you cook a meal for yourself (depending on where you’re staying) instead of eating out, or go for a long run first thing in the morning to stretch your legs. Or, maybe you just spend a lazy day indoors catching up on everything from your emails to checking in with family and friends back home.
Self-care is incredibly important when you’re on the road. It will help you to manage your stress and keep things in perspective. So, at least one day a week, relax and do something that makes you feel good.
While long-term traveling isn’t for everyone, it can be an incredible lifestyle for those who are prepared for it. Keep these tips in mind as you hit the road, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.