When I look at my travel photos from my long trip in 2009 and my previous trips over the past few years, I always smile with nostalgia because they remind me of hundreds and hundreds of memories. Each of these memories and experiences has helped me grow. In this article, I will give you some advice to move forward and create even better new memories.
The future will be better
I lived my best travel years in 2009, 2010, and 2011, but I am convinced that the coming years will be better. Why?
- You have built up and gained experience from previous years. You are therefore better prepared and you know what makes you happy.
- During that period, I had more of a student budget; now, I am employed, so I have a bigger budget to do different things and especially many more things.
- The past is the past; there is no point in comparing. Each experience is different, you will be with different people, visit new places, and see new things.
- If you are optimistic like me, each trip will always be better than the previous one but always too short.
There are other reasons why the future trip will be the best, but I think these are the essentials.
Taking charge and reflecting on yourself
One of the reasons why the next trip will be better than the previous one is that you know yourself better, you know what you like to do, and above all, you take charge of YOUR trip.
This is why taking a solo trip can be beneficial:
- You can only count on yourself to make this trip your best memory.
- You cannot complain about someone else blaming them when in fact it is your fault because you did not take charge.
- You gain autonomy, adaptability, and organization.
Knowing that traveling alone is not for everyone and that most people like to travel accompanied, it is not lost for you. Here is what you need to do to have your best trip:
- Prepare your trip in advance; if you want to go to South America, take Spanish lessons 6 months before leaving. If you are shy, meet people who share the same passion as you through the internet; you will be more comfortable during new encounters.
- Have a goal that matches your budget. One day, someone asked me if “3000 euros was enough for 3 months of travel in Australia and Asia.” I told them: “It depends on your goals and how you want your trip to be; otherwise, reconsider your budget.” I discuss this notion in one of my previous articles “Money and comfort” because with 3000 euros you can live 1 month or 4 months depending on your lifestyle, choosing your travel destination is also important.
- Be open-minded and curious, enjoy every moment. Do not depend on others; make your own decisions as much as possible, otherwise find a compromise with your travel companion.
- Take the time to rest and reflect on your stay. It is important to take stock halfway through the trip to correct what has not gone well.
- Make sure to talk to people around you to get as much information as possible or gather feedback from more experienced travelers.
There you go, this is what I do to make each of my upcoming trips the best there is.
And you? How do you do it?
