Listen, we all know I'm a terrible blogger, I've stopped trying to deny it at this point. I'm all over the place. I find myself feeling discouraged that I don't have time to dedicate and finally I just told myself to stop. I would wake up early, drive to my parents house so my sister could take photos for me, then turn around and change into clothes that I actually wear to work. No one wants to see what I really wear to work because lets be honest, no one is gonna be searching the internet for duplicates! lol So silly, right? I'd work so late that I would go home, crash and never even end up making a post. Instead of beating myself up over not fitting the mold of these other bloggers, why not just conform my blog to fit my lifestyle.. GENIUS, right? I have received so many comments, texts and e-mails asking about my travels. I feel like instead of forcing my blog to be something I struggle to make consistent... I should just make it me. After all, isn't that what makes blogging interesting and enjoyable to read? So here's to a new leaf.. a blog thats truly all over the place, just like me.
I feel like to be completely transparent with everyone I need to back up and share how I got to the point in life where I COULD travel. Sometimes the internet can be so misleading and posts can cause people to think opposite of what we intend. I only say this because I come in contact with so many people on a regular basis and common statements can really start to get under your skin. Such as: "Must be nice" or my personal fave, "Wow, you're actually at work for once?" I would find myself trying to defend my lifestyle when finally I had enough. Who's business is it what I do with my life? No ones. Yes, I choose to post it on the internet, but I don't need to justify anything to anyone. Jealousy makes people say some mean things. Thick skin sure does come in handy!
Traveling as an adult takes preparation as a teen! Travel has been a passion of mine for many, many years but until recently, it was a lot more dreaming and a lot less actual travel. I could go into deep detail on the budgeting and planning that was involved, if that's something you guys want to know, but for starters I just want to give you guys some tips that you can take and do with what you please.
* LIVE INSIDE YOUR MEANS * - It's so sad to me when I see people who are ultimately limited in life due to financial decisions that have been made. Hey, maybe that outrageous car payment is something they are passionate about, who am I to judge? For me, materialistic things are less and less of importance when compared to life experience. My husband and I were raised completely different growing up and honestly, many of our first years of marriage were spent deciding ( from me, more demanding.. haha ) how limited we were or weren't going to be by our finances. I praise God every day that both of us worked our way through college and didn't have loans up to our eyeballs. My sincerest prayers go out to those are unable to say the same.
I look back on the times when I was younger and all my friends were given brand new fancy cars at 16 while my Dave Ramsey in the flesh father tried to teach me the importance of working hard for my own things. Which only resulted in the ugliest chunk of metal I was so proud to have paid cash for and call my first car. Since at the time I was too annoyed, I don't think I ever had the chance to say, thanks dad! It's a difficult thing to master, especially if you were raised not to know any better, but I promise you nothing taste better than financial freedom feels. Wow, I sound like Dave Ramsey myself.
* QUANITY vs. QUALITY * - Here is where I differ from so many others. Travel for me is an escape from everything inside my normal routine. I so badly want to move. There have been many of conversations that will hopefully become actions in the future. However, I'm not going to put my life on hold in the meantime. I use travel as a way of escaping so I don't fall into this rut of discontentment because of the fact that I still live somewhere after 4 years of wanting to leave. That being said, I rather take multiple small trips over one big trip.
My family always takes one big vacation in the winter. Its the same week every year so Dad can prepare! When the time comes, he has the financial ability to splurge. To some, thats what travel is, one trip in which you totally splurge.
For me, it's different. I wouldn't be content with only one trip. Instead, I take my time and do a ridiculous amount of research. Weighing all of the options possible to find the most affordable option. I rather budget myself while I'm away than constantly splurge and have regret when I get home. I personally canNOT enjoy myself unless a trip is paid in full BEFORE we leave. I've always been that way. So wether we postpone a little bit until we have the funds or we cut corners and maybe hit up a grocery store for lunch meat vs. eating out every meal. That is a hardcore rule that I don't budge on. It also comes in handy when I get home and have those pesky post-vacation blues... we can immediately start planning our next trip without the stress of trying to pay off our previous. I'm just saying, f i n a n c i a l f r e e d o m.
*STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES or SHOP TIL YOU DROP* - Last but certainly not least, I think it's important to have a gameplan before you leave town. What are your goals? Are you planning on kicking back or kicking it into high gear? I personally cannot STAND doing things I can do at home while i'm away. For instance: You will not catch me in a mall, sleeping in or eating at any restaurants I have in my home town.. BUT thats just my preference! Some people prefer a slower pace and relaxation. Ninety-nine percent of the vacations we take are spent outdoors, so we rarely even have those issues. However, all of our vacations are short and require an extremely fast pace due to our work schedules. So i've found the more time you spend planning ahead, the less time you'll waste trying to figure it out once you've reached your destination!
I hope these tips help you guys when you plan your next adventure! I have multiple trips that I haven't documented yet, ( imagine that, me slacking...) that I hope to reflect back on and possibly even go into deeper detail as to how I went about our planning process!
Be sure to leave your feedback! I would love to know if you guys find posts like these helpful or what you would like to see more of in the future!
