There are 7 Days in a Week and Someday Isn’t One of Them

Lyssie

9 years ago

As the title says, there are 7 days in a week, and someday isn’t one of them. Let someday be today. No excuses.

Like many people, I’m a victim of procrastination, especially when it comes to taking a trip. For years I would look up airfares and say to myself, “I’ll just wait until the prices go down,” or “I’ll wait until life is slower and I have time,” or “I’ll wait until I have more money.” I wanted to travel, but the old saying is true: when you have the money, you don’t have the time; when you have the time, you don’t have the money. Someday when you’re retired, someday when you quit your job, someday when your kids are grown…well, each week has 7 days and someday isn’t one of them.

I worked in an office for five years and traveled, but rarely. I had the money but didn’t want to take those precious days off. For five years, I regret not living my life to the fullest and feeling like I wasted my best years. Why have days off if you’re not going to take them? Make the most of being young, fit, and able and get out there to see the world even if it’s only little by little.

I left my job and had no source of income, so I thought outside the box and found a way to travel and make money. It required traveling for 9 months, but that was great for me! At least I had time and money. This is an option for the right person, but not for everybody.

Can you travel without having an overseas job? Of course! Don’t let money hold you back. Without a job, you’re more flexible; you can search for the cheapest days in the cheapest seasons to travel. You can choose the cheapest places to go, with actually are usually the most off-the-beaten-path and interesting places. And I always say, if there’s a road that looks interesting, you should always take it because you never know what you could find at the end. If you find a flight to Bosnia and Herzegovina in February for $300, don’t think about, just do it. (Just for the record, Bosnia is in a beautiful part of the world!)

Also, if money is the issue, don’t be scared of hostels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnbs. Hostels aren’t as bad as Americans think; they’re not crawling with bugs and criminals. In fact, hostels are only different from hotels in that they’re missing the required amenities of hotels (whether it’s a 24-hour front desk, TV in the room, it isn’t located on the first floor of the building, etc.) Hotels have strict requirements and hostels can be better, just missing one crucial part. So hostels actually are more similar to bed and breakfasts, which Americans believe are quaint and cute (and they are!) Airbnbs are actually one of the best ways to travel because they’re cheap, sometimes negotiable, and give you a local vibe. Check all options and don’t be scared of a stereotype if you’re on a budget.

What if you have kids? The way I see it, you have three options: take them with you for a family vacation, get a babysitter at home and go on a romantic couples vacation, or take turns going somewhere solo or with friends. There’s always an answer to any excuse because at the end of the day, that’s all you’re doing: making excuses. Instead, make plans.