Five years ago, I jetted off to Europe on a one-way ticket. A few weeks ago, I did the same again. But this trip looks A LOT different. I made a lot of mistakes back then — with transportation, bookings, planning, and spending — and now, I'm a bonafide expert traveler. Here's my stories and advice, and what I'm doing better this time around.
Tag: travel planning
My 3 Rules For Finding Balance while Traveling, From a Full-Time Nomad
"Uh oh, I better maximize my vacation and have all the fun because the clock is ticking!" "Uh oh, my free time on vacation is finite so I better choose all the best activities and nothing better go wrong!" "Uh oh, sleeping in or just taking it easy while on vacation means I'm wasting my precious time!" See how the scarcity mindset sets you up to fail? I have since learned to think of time in abundance to find balance while traveling, and you should too.
Packing the Daypack: My Must-Have Accessories
I'm a backpacker, and I pack light; so when I travel abroad I put a lot of thought into packing my daypack so I'm always prepared.
Why Does Everybody Say They Love to Travel?
When most people say they "love to travel," sometimes I think they really mean to say they "love vacations"...
Why I Don’t Plan My Trips Abroad
Over time and many trips, I’ve discovered that I much prefer the freedom of planning-on-the-go. Never fear, to go blind is a little illogical: in this blog, I lay out my reasoning and process for going the less-planned route.
The Values Most Important to Me in 2018
As I look back on the last year, I feel fortunate to have adopted these three principles, now so wholly ingrained in my thinking that they might as well be a part of me.
Why I Constantly One-Up Myself with Travel
My flight into Dublin landed around 8 a.m. Sunday. When I approached the passport control officer in the non-EU citizen line, he fired off a number of questions. The exchange went a little something like this: “How long are you staying in Ireland?” he asked...
How to Avoid Travel Burnout, From a Frequent Flier
The cities, the sights, the experiences. Frequent travel may look glamorous on Instagram, but in reality, it means time zone hopping, insufficient sleep, disrupted exercise and eating routines, and of course, airport annoyances. If you've ever felt like you needed a vacation from your vacation (I have), try my tips on beating travel fatigue.
Why I Stopped Living for the Future and Started Living in the Moment
I prepped for the future. I made major, life-changing decisions based on my plan. And I was constantly disappointed when what I expected didn’t come to be.
What Surviving Stress Teaches You
As much as it sucks... Surviving stressful times will better equip us to handle with grace whatever life throws at us next.
Ecuador Recap: 8-Day Ecuador Itinerary (Mostly) on a Shoestring
Ecuador as a travel destination: Enough have come before to pave the way, but not enough that the people and the country are jaded, advantageous of or overrun by foreigners. Check out my Ecuador itinerary from Quito to Quilotoa to Cotopaxi to Cuenca to Guayaquil.
Traveling Happily Means Rolling with the Punches
When things “go wrong,” as they almost always do, your reaction to it is far more important than the actual event itself.
