Live your life the way YOU want.

If you go around the world asking people for their idea, their definition of living, you are bound to get a variety of answers.  To some people, living means working hard, giving back to the community you grew up in, becoming a pillar in that community.  To others, that's a life of suffocating and instead living to them means exploring the world, trying new things, living on the edge.  I belong in the latter, however I know many people who are quite content to stay at home and do their routine.  No one can tell you how to live your life. No one can tell you the direction to take. Only you can make that choice.  People may not understand your life choices and try to sway you away because it is outside their comfort zone.  Don't let people determine how you live.  Ask yourself, when I die, what do I want my eulogy to say? Do I want them to say I was an upstanding citizen of the community, that I was a pillar during tough times?  Do I want them to say I was a high-power worker in a major corporation and never settled for second best? Do I want them to say I traveled the world, experienced many things, stepped outside my comfort zone, met many people that shaped my life, that I lived a little bit on the edge?  Once you have answered that question, you will be well on your way to living your life the way you want to, not the way others want you to live.  

 

Excuses are just that, excuses

There are so many things that can prevent you from taking a trip of your dreams.  Money. Family obligations. Work obligations.  Money.  You can tell me all the excuses in the world until you are blue in the face and the cows come home.  But that's all they are, excuses.  The only question you need to answer is - will you regret not doing this when you are old?  If the answer is yes, then you need to do it.

If finances is a problem, look at what you are spending money on.  Cut back on going out every night for a drink or two. Cut back on eating out - it's not healthy to eat out all the time anyways! Plan more at home activities and check out free activities within your community.  Take all that money you will save and put it into an account that you can't touch and watch your account grow.  If you have debt, pay that down right away. I have student loan debt that I am currently paying off, but that doesn't stop me from traveling.

If work obligations is an issue. Look at how many vacation days you have more than likely saved up.  Take a week or two and just travel.  You will return to work refreshed and better than ever. In fact, setting a vacation makes work leading up to your vacation so much better because you have something to look forward to.  Take the week or two off. You will thank yourself later, and so may your boss!

If family obligations is the issue, you need to determine if the family obligation is major enough to postpone your trip.  If you have a family member who is ill and you don't feel right leaving them, then don't.  If there is a wedding coming up, family reunion, try to work it into your travel plans.  If you can't, ask yourself if you will resent them for taking away from your travels. If the answer is yes, then travel - but be sure to check in on the occasion and talk with your family :))

At the end of the day, excuses are just that, excuses.  Only you have the power to make your travel dreams happen.  Don't let anything or anyone stand in the way.

Live your life the way you want, not the way people expect you to.

Cheers!