At 34 I'm still able to amaze people at how much traveling I've done. By the age of 23 I had already visited over 50 Countries on 4 Continents. I was lucky to have had music in my life, but for some of us. Traveling the world seems like a dream (that will never) come true.
Some get to travel and some don't. I'd like to take a moment to examine elements of those who have led full lives abroad and some don't. I think what we'll discover is that it's not always money that gets in the way of your travel plans. Time, fear and family responsibilities are interference-elements and I want to provide you with some helpful planning tips to hopefully disable whatever is keeping you from exploring this great blue Earth.
1. Money
Problem: Lack of finances can definitely get in the way of your travel plans, but there are some cheap ways to travel.
Solution: I worked on cruise ships for many years - playing music and entertaining guests. It was a great experience and I met tons of amazing people that helped shape my life. Working in the travel industry is a great way to travel - cheaply. We used to say "OPM" for "Other Peoples Money". Working in the cruise industry, vacation resorts, hotels, airlines, rail / busways etc are great ways to get to travel for free - and in fact you're getting paid to do so. If you're a musician look-up ProShip a Canadian based company. They carry regular itineraries with just about every major cruise company and they will audition you and even fly you out (or at least they used to do so). Sandals resorts is also a great company to look at. They have been in business for over 30 years and have a great following. You never want to be employed at a company that doesn't have a great reputation or a great following. It can be dangerous for your career.
2. Time
Problem: We can't find the time to travel.
Solution: Even the President of the United States gets three months off a year. The guy who runs the entire Country can take time off but you can't take time from your bank or janitorial company? If that's the case, they you're doing something completely wrong and perhaps need a vacation so you can reflect on the decisions you've made. Travel doesn't have to be a long, drawn out ordeal. To experience travel abroad - yes, you will need at least 10 days to do it right but travel can be something simple as leaving your car in the garage and walking your dog in a neighborhood you've never explored - obviously choose a safe neighborhood but if you don't take small opportunities to explore you definitely won't take big ones. You need to look at yourself and ask why you want to travel but haven't done so. It probably has less to do with time and more to do with, fear. The solution here is, stop saying you don't have time to and start looking into why you're afraid to.
3. Fear
Problem: It is human-nature to fear the unknown. Fear can paralyze or immobilize us and manifest itself in interesting and unique ways.
Solution: You're doing it. Read up on solutions to overcoming your fears and start looking for root causes of the fears themselves. Perhaps you had a bad experience as a child and attachment theorist would surmise said experiences are manifesting themselves in our adult life. Fear is a decision. You must decide to not be afraid of the risk and have some faith that everything will be ok. I have an awesome therapist who (to my knowledge) doesn't work over the phone but there is a company out there that you can reach out to who supposedly can provide therapeutic answers to you over the phone. Check out this link https://www.therapy-now.net/. I've never used them but hey - at least it's a good start. If you check them out, post your thoughts on them, on my blog.
4. Family Responsibilities
Problem: The family needs me. Leaving them would seem selfish.
Solution: Luckily I got a large portion of my traveling in before this became a huge concern, but the one thing I will tell you is. They will survive. I'm not suggesting you leave your wife and kids for that trip to Costa Rica you've always wanted to take but if you're single and without kids then this is definitely your time to get out there and fill the gap travel leaves in your life. If you do have kids then I suggest a Disney Cruise, Aulani - the Disney Resort or a fun-filled road trip with historical-site themed exploration for the kids. Traveling with the kids is not as painful as it was in the 80's. Just don't travel with a small baby on a plane. The altitude changes upset them and you can spend an entire flight with a crying baby on your lap. Do something nice for your 14 y/o niece so she'll be inclined to baby-site. Whatever your situation is. You must seek to be in control of it. The single biggest regret people have when they're on their death bed is that they didn't have more fun in their lives. It was all work/ responsibility and duty. Choose now, to reverse that.
Go travel. Be happy and Be Safe. I do.
Rick
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