I’m leaving for a six month trip in May, a mere four months from now, yet it seems so far away. It’s January, it’s cold, and it’s dreary. I know I want to travel but my wanderlust is lying dormant. This cold, winter weather makes me want to curl up in a ball and stay indoors with a blanket, some hot tea, and a good book.
In this state of mind, it’s easy for evil thoughts to creep into my head such as: The economy is tanking, why are you quitting your job to travel? You should feel lucky to have a job. You have great friends, a decent income, and a comfy apartment downtown; why are you rocking the boat again? My mom’s voice then echoes…’This is really not a very responsible thing to do right now, honey. Can’t you just wait a year?’
Well, no. While these thoughts do give me pause and the occasional panic attack, gut instinct prevails. You see, I MUST do this, I MUST travel. I want to explore, and have adventures. I have a plan and I’m sticking to it.
In order to remind myself why I’m taking this trip, and gear myself up for my great adventure, I’ve been doing several different things. Some may spark your own dormant wanderlust.
Plan your trip
This is the really fun part. I bought a travel Atlas and am plotting my route. I’m making new connections in the travel world, contacting long lost friends in their home cities for a heads up that I’m coming through town, browsing Couch Surfing, Mind My House, Craigslist and travel blogs, and reading guide books. I get such a rush from doing at least one of these a day.
Listen to inspiring music
This is one of the best ways to put yourself in the travel zone. I pick songs that inspire me and play them often, mostly at full blast. Any kind of rock or dance tunes is always great for making me feel like I can do anything. The Motorcycle Diaries soundtrack is mellow yet dramatic. I also love any kind of world music such as Putumayo and the Hotel Costes CD’s feel very European loungey. Check out these other great travel songs and download your own playlist.
Watch travel movies
My favorites are The Motorcycle Diaries, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Sex and Lucia, Out of Africa, Tango and Under the Tuscan Sun. And of course, there’s always the Travel Channel. A few minutes watching Anthony Bourdain sample exotic foreign cuisine or Samantha Brown frolic around Europe and you will be back in the bedroom packing before you can say passport. Here are some other travel movies you may like.
Read travel books and blogs
Oh, the list I could insert here. However, until I create my blogroll and book recommendations, I’ll just name the ones that really get my travel juices flowing:
- Books: Eat, Pray, Love; Veronika Decides to Die (for it’s message to literally live like you are dying); Six Months Off; Change Your Life Through Travel; Vagabonding; Tango: An Argentine Love Story
- Blogs: Almost Fearless, Ottsworld, Vagablogging, Brave New Traveler, Location Independent, NuNomad, Wanderlust and Lipstick and National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel blog. Also, for amazing photos, head to Flickr and enter any location you’d like to see photos of or simply type the word ‘travel’ for some amazing and inspiring photos.
- On line travel magazines
Take a short trip
A short trip gives you that quick travel high and reminds you what it feels like to be on the move. I’ll be heading to a few places within driving distance this spring before my big trip: Asheville, Atlanta and the beach. It’s inexpensive, but still a trip and will help to ease me back into travel mode. (As if I need easing)
Act as if you are already traveling
I’m watching my money, buying only what I need, and looking for simple and inexpensive forms of entertainment such as cooking at home for friends, listening to music for hours, afternoon matinees, and reading at coffee shops. I’m also buying only clothes that travel well and going easy on the wine.
Investigate career options that let you be location independent
Once I return, I seriously doubt I will want to jump back into my cubicle, no matter what the pay is. Having a career that will let me travel while working is my dream. The more I explore opportunities for this and tell myself it CAN happen, the closer I am to making it a reality. And that ignites my wanderlust immensely.
Appreciate ‘home’
I’m really trying to enjoy the present and my ’home’ in Raleigh right now. This attitude will serve me well on the road. No matter what challenges come my way, I will learn to relax into the moment and take life as it comes. Realizing that I can call any destination ‘home’, wherever that may be, makes the jump to full time travel seem less scary and more enticing.
If all else fails, I just look at myself in the mirror and yell ‘Just GO already! You’ll have the time of your life.’
Is anyone else planning on traveling soon, either short or long term? What do you do to keep your eye on the prize?
Outside articles you may like:
Turning ‘Someday’ into ‘Right Now’
10 Reasons You Know it’s Time to Go Traveling
Related posts:
Your words, the image you chose, and the message you delivered are getting me excited about the travels I have coming up this spring and summer. Yes, planning them during the cold of winter is a great pick me up! I loved the book Veronica Decides to Die – yes, what a powerful story of living!
Great! Thank you!
I always wanted to write in my blog something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?
Of course, I will add backlink?
Sincerely, Timur Alhimenkov
Typically, I buy a Frommer’s guide or Lonely Planet (used in Amazon!) and since I tend to be fairly busy until the date, I’ll take my time reading it. How can you not get excited about the things you could see and do??