“You’re so fortunate to travel so often!”
“I envy your lifestyle!”
“I’m living through your adventures!”
Here’s a little secret: Travel isn't about luck. Luck is stumbling upon a $10 bill on the ground.
My desire to travel has always been strong. I didn’t have a travel-filled childhood, yet I made it happen. My first flight was at 19, and the following year, I moved to England for my studies. Fast forward over a decade, I've visited 44 countries across five continents and called five states and five countries home. The younger version of me would be proud of who I’ve become.
So, how do I manage to travel so often? I don’t have a trust fund. I found jobs that allowed me to explore. I taught English in Thailand, contributed to travel magazines, and organized photo trips across Asia. Many of these roles covered my travel expenses. At times, I worked multiple jobs to fund my travels—freelancing as a photographer, waiting tables, working retail, and teaching university photography classes. I eliminated unnecessary costs. Every choice I made was geared towards my next journey. When I first settled in Austin, I rented a friend's living room for $230 a month and slept on an air mattress to save up for my South America adventure. I’ve walked away from numerous jobs, even beloved ones, to pursue travel. Do you need to juggle three jobs to afford travel? Do you have to abandon your job and sleep on an air mattress? Not at all.
If I want something, I go for it. It’s straightforward. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes months or years. Regardless, I make it happen. Traveling makes me feel alive, and I believe everyone should pursue what ignites that feeling.
The secret to chasing your travel dreams boils down to three key elements: priorities, unwavering determination, and bravery.
1. Priorities
Life presents a paradox regarding money and time. You often have an abundance of one and a deficit of the other. List your top three priorities. Identify ways to allocate time or funds toward them. Cut out distractions. This might mean missing out on certain activities, like skipping a dinner with friends to focus on a personal project or save money. Stick to the 80/20 rule: Spend 20% of your efforts on actions that yield 80% of your desired results.
2. Unwavering Determination
I refuse to be overlooked. This attitude helped me secure assignments with various magazines. I made countless cold calls and sent emails until I landed meetings. Afterward, I made sure to stay relevant, gaining access to events they were covering. My determination often led to success.
When projects I’ve invested effort in don’t work out, I recognize that the timing might not be right. It’s an opportunity for me to redirect my focus. My goals remain unchanged, even if my approach shifts.
3. Bravery
I’ll admit it—I dislike flying. Yet, my love for travel outweighs that fear, so I push through. I refuse to let anxiety dictate my actions or regrets govern my life. In my later years, I’d rather share tales of my adventures than recount missed opportunities due to fear.
What’s holding you back? Write down your obstacles and brainstorm solutions. Everything I pursue comes with fear, and that’s precisely why I embrace it. Break down larger challenges into smaller, manageable tasks. The thought of moving to England alone for my studies was daunting at first. I divided it into steps. My first goal was simply to board the plane. Once I achieved that, I focused on the next milestone.
Now, I encourage you to chase your dreams! Once you start, the world will take notice.
