You Can Live a “Normal” Life and Travel, Too
I'm not a professional traveler. I do not make a living from taking trips around the world. For a long time, I was not location-independent, either — I was just your average recent-college-graduate, trying to figure out how to balance a small paycheck with my desire to travel as much as possible.
And yet, people often tell me how jealous they are of all my travels. They tell me how “lucky” I am. They say they wish they could travel like I do.
But you know what?
They absolutely can. YOU can, too.
So many of those out there who are writing about travel are professional nomads. Many of them lack a home address, and can fit most of their worldly possessions into a backpack. They flit from London to Bangkok to Sydney and back again, and we “ordinary” people think this is all so terribly romantic and awesome that we convince ourselves that we can't possibly do the same.
We psyche ourselves out and buy into a lot of misconceptions about living a life full of travel. We begin to believe things like:
- You must be rich to travel.
- You must be single to travel.
- You must be brave and outgoing to travel.
- You must be free from responsibility to travel.
We convince ourselves that we can never be one of “those people” because we have a job and debt and a family, and we enjoy having a stable address that people can send Christmas cards to.
But guess what? These misconceptions are just that — misconceptions. You can travel without being rich and single. You can travel without being particularly adventurous. And, most of all, you can travel without completely setting aside responsibility.
Yes, I'm here to tell you that you can, in fact, travel and live a “normal” life, too!
Travel does not have to be a lifestyle for everyone. You can be a businessman or career woman and still be passionate about travel. You can work a 9-5 and still see the world if that's what you're passionate about.
The key is what YOU want.
If you want to quit your job to travel the world, great. Go for it.
But if you like owning a car and your own bed and having a permanent place to call “home,” that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your travel dream. It doesn't have to be an either-or scenario. Believe it or not, you CAN have both!
I'm not going to lie and say it's easy, though. Because it's not. If you have a strict work schedule or a young family or a lot of debt to pay off, it may be challenging to live your “ordinary” life and still manage to fit in travel. But just because something is challenging doesn't mean it's impossible.
Here are some tips for how you, too, can fit travel into your ordinary life:
- Start saving now. It's never too early to start saving for a trip. Even just setting aside $20 per week can go a long way quickly.
- Plan your dream vacation. Even if you won't be able to take it right away, planning a vacation can keep you upbeat about traveling and give you something to look forward to. I start planning some of my big trips up to a year ahead of time.
- Keep an eye on travel deals. Especially if you start planning and saving for a big trip early, you can keep an eye on things like airline and hotel deals. You never know when the perfect one will come along! Signing up for mailing lists from specific airlines, or from travel aggregators like TravelZoo, is a great idea, too, and can alert you to big savings opportunities.
- Make the most of vacation time and holidays. We Americans get a raw deal in my opinion when it comes to vacation time. If your employer isn't cool about letting you work overtime or giving you unpaid days off, you'll have to get creative in order to make the most of the vacation time you have. You can stretch your 2 weeks much further if you plan travel around paid holidays, or if you can elect to work your holidays and save them up for later.
- Don't wait for someone to travel with. Especially if you're working full-time and have friends and family members who are also working full-time, it might be difficult to coordinate a vacation. But that doesn't mean you should forego travel. It just means you may need to consider adding “solo travel” to your vocabulary.
- Pick up new hobbies. For me, starting a travel blog has opened many doors in terms of travel. I've made a lot of contacts, and even picked up some freelance gigs here and there that have helped feed my travel addiction (and my travel fund). But if starting a blog isn't right for you, consider other hobbies that might allow you to get closer to your travel goals. Perhaps volunteering or joining a club could be an option for you.
- Take advantage of all opportunities. Right along with picking up new hobbies, be sure to take advantage of any travel opportunities that those hobbies might afford you. For example, I traveled a lot during college because I joined the marching band. We went to places like Italy and China on performance tours at prices that a college student could afford.
And, at the end of the day…
- Don't make excuses. Any excuse you can make about why you can't/don't travel can be overcome. If you truly want to travel more without giving up your current lifestyle, the first step is setting aside the misconceptions and excuses and going after what you want in any way that you can.
And, who am I to preach all this to you, you ask? Well, currently I'm a freelancer who works from a fixed address in Ohio. Before that, I was a graduate student working my butt off to get my Master's degree. And before that, I was a copy editor working 40 hours per week at a small newspaper. I probably don't have to tell you that I have most certainly NOT been rolling in cash since graduating college. I have to work hard to save up money and make time to travel just like everybody else. But, in the past four years, I've traveled to more than 30 countries.
And I'm doing it all while still living a “normal” life.
If I can do it, so can you.
Are you also a person who lives a “normal” life but still manages to travel? Tell me about it in the comments!
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
While going home to a “normal” life terrifies me a bit, I know that even when I do have a more permanent home than my current expat here, expat there life–travel will still be a big part of that life. It’s all about making travel a priority–in time, effort and finances 🙂
Once a traveler, always a traveler as far as I’m concerned! Travel is obviously a really important part of your life, so I’m sure that wherever that life takes you — even if it’s into a rather “ordinary” situation — you’ll still travel plenty! It is absolutely about making it a priority.
This was a great article! Very inspiring. I have always wanted to travel, but I was one of those people who thought I had to be rich. Once my debts are paid off I am going to Paris!
Thanks, Maria! I hope this helped you realize that you absolutely CAN travel! And, if you work really hard towards it, finally making it to Paris will make it that much sweeter.
I love that, amidst the several hundred posts I read a week, these uplifting and inspiring ones are always around. They’re all individually good and hit on different points, but it’s great to not have a week go by without some kind of reminder that I can get to where I want to go.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Aww, thanks, Chris! I, too, like reading a good uplifting post every now and then, so I try to write them myself from time to time. 🙂
Thank you for the inspiring post! I always find ways to travel even though I don’t get paid to do it either. My friend said I am “the travelingest broke person” he knows lol. These are great tips.
Thank YOU, Marnie! I’m glad you enjoyed this post, and that you’re already out there traveling in any way that you can!
Great post Amanda! I definitely learned recently that long term nomadic travel isn’t for me, but it doesn’t mean I’m not a traveler. I’m totally addicted, and travel is an important part of my life. But you’re so right, it doesn’t have to be expensive and it isn’t just for rich people. It’s all about priorities, if traveling is important enough, you will find a way to make it happen.
I don’t know if I’m cut out to be completely nomadic either. But hey, at least you gave it a shot, right? Now you know. 🙂
I think I WISH I was cut out to be completely nomadic, but I’m just not. I love travel and will always be addicted to it, but I’m also addicted to, you know, having a home 🙂
I totally agree!! I’ve never actually tried the nomadic life yet, but I know how much I enjoy having a place to come home to… so I’m not sure it’d be for me!
I love this post. I think it can get disheartening, at least for me, when I hear that someone’s just jetting off to Asia again. But I remind myself life is about choices. Right now I’m choosing not to travel, to focus on school. But in a few months I will travel. That’s the nice thing about being a traveler, you don’t have to travel all the time to be a traveler.
I hear ya on feeling a bit down when so many people seem to be constantly jetting off to amazing-sounding places. But I’m with you — I’m focusing on school right now, in hopes that it will help me travel more later on! And you’re absolutely right when you say that you don’t have to travel all the time to be a traveler. I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Amanda,
Well said! I like how you first listed the misconceptions – all of which I’ve encountered after announcing my plans a few months ago to travel RTW next year – and how you’ve provided reasonable tips and ways to fulfill the purpose, and indeed, the very title of your post. Great timing! 🙂
I’m glad you liked the post, Henry! Hopefully it can prove to a few people that there’s nothing particularly special or “lucky” about me or what I’m doing. I’m just very dedicated!
I’ve got to say, I am SO IMPRESSED that you manage to run an incredible travel blog (and find time to travel) while you’re working on your master’s degree. When I was in graduate school I don’t think I did anything other than read articles, write papers, intern, and teach (rinse and repeat). I might have taken my pup to dog beach every now and then, but even that was a stretch! =P
Haha, it certainly hasn’t been easy! This first semester has been pretty brutal. But, somehow, I’ve been able to make it work. And I fully intend to keep it up!
I already started making progress. On 8th of November I planned a 4-5 days trip with my girlfriend in “masivul bucegi” in Romania (search about it, you may like it if you want to visit Romania next year).
Anyways this will be my first vacation in years and I virtually can’t wait!
That looks like an awesome place to go hiking. Will you stay at Inns/hostels/hotels or camp?
Awesome!!! I hope you guys have a great time.
First, my PPP – people are *envious* of your travel, not *jealous*. Your boyfriend’s ex might be jealous of you, but possibly not envious, but can only be envious of your travel 🙂
Another thing you can factor into your “saving for travel” is frequent flyer miles. For all the complaining I hear about how hard they are to use, I don’t have any trouble. And since you need to buy stuff to live, a mileage card is a great investment.
For example, United airlines has a new “Explorer” card. Sign up for that an it’s an instant 25000 miles once you have used it. If you get a business card, any money you spend on gas, dining, airfare with the card gets you double miles. I pay for everything with mine that I can pay with with a credit card, and rack up a few thousand miles a month. Of course, those miles are worthless if you’re not paying off the card every month.
Watching for flight deals is also key. I’m flying cheaply ($900) Denver to Istanbul return on Lufthansa in March because they partner with United and since Lufthansa had a sale United needed/wanted to match or beat it. But you need to be ready to buy when the sale is on, and have an assortment of places you want to go. And since I used my Explorer card to buy those tickets I got 1800 miles on top of the actual travel miles.
I can’t agree more, BTW, about the clever use of time off without pay and working holidays to accumulate useful blocks of time later. For example, I am not a fan of xmas/new years since time off when it’s cold and wintry is useless to me. So I always work those days (if possible) and take them later. Sometimes you even get paid more to work them (good for the travel fund) or get better than 1 for 1 time off.
And with that I’ll shut up. A real life (I have a car, house and “home” life) definitely doesn’t have to negatively impact your travel life. I’ll be traveling 8-11 weeks next year, and working my behind off the other weeks to pay for it!
Thanks for the great comment, Rob! Good tips on using miles to help, too. I really need to find a good miles card to start using…
(And, whether “jealous” is correct or not, that’s the word people use!! 😉 )
Yeah.. now you can start the sysiphean endeavor to change their behavior. 🙂
Here’s the link to the Explorer card. Ignore the advertising, it’s really only worth 25K miles.
https://www.theexplorercard.com/MPConsumer40kAFW.aspx?CELL=NV3&navSource=ValuableOffers&linkTitle=PTN_Visa_Acquisitions_Chase_Acquisitions_Default_Explorer_40K_passes_NV3_UAHP_110719
Even though the US limits vacation time to 2-3 weeks in general. I was able to take advantage of many of my business trips and squeeze out a couple extra days over the weekend. You just need to plan ahead for it. I’ve been able to see almost the entire country this way not having to pay for airfare and lodging was taken care of too (partially at least).
And that’s exactly what I’m talking about! If you really want to travel and are smart about it, you’ll find ways to make it happen, even if you do work full-time!
i love, love, love that last part, “Don’t make excuses”!! I constantly hear people making excuses for why they can’t/don’t travel. Ultimately, it’s all about what your priorities are and what you’re willing [or not] to sacrifice so that you can travel! Great article! I’m sending people to this when I hear them complaining about not being able to travel! 😉
Thanks!! I’m glad this resonated with you, and that you agree that people make too many excuses about why they don’t travel! That really bugs me, too. Instead of making excuses, go out there and do something about it!
I can relate perfectly Amanda. I think it’s a matter of life choice – we all define travel differently! I, like you, can’t currently imagine quitting the job I’ve worked hard to get, my family, my friends, having a big closet and a weekly routine. Still, I travel quite a lot – for both work and vacation. And I do work full time, 45 hours a week (at least)! So there’s not really a valid excuse anymore for not traveling if you really want to.
It definitely is a matter of choice, Katherina. If you choose to make travel a priority, then you will find a way to make it happen! I know that’s certainly been the case for me.
So true! I also work fulltime and travel – partly because I live so far from my family and that’s just what you have to do if you want to stay in touch as an expat. Yes, it means that I am constantly putting money away and getting creative with scheduling of trips around times I am off anyways. Yes, it means that I am not driving a new car and that the house we rent is way old. It’s all about priorities. Nobody can afford everything (well, very few people can). I get almost angry when people tell me about how jealous they are of my travels and how they could never afford my trips. BS! First I was kind of put off by that because a statement like that assumes that I am somehow independly wealthy (not the case). Now I just reply by comparing their lifestyle choices to mine (cars, apartment/house, superexpensive 4-day trips on a cruise instead of my cheapo week in Asia, etc.
You are absolutely right that it is all about priorities. Once you make the decision to make travel a priority in your life, it’s amazing how much you’re actually able to do!
Great article! I love to to travel (US only so far) extended weekend trips exploring america are my thing. People are always saying where are you off to now, or how do you do that, or must be nice but they all make more money than me! My kids are grown and I am off to see what I can while I can. I joined a great meet up group with a travel expert as the lead and I travel solo too. I scour flight sights -airfarewatchdog and travelzoo for sure -and save my extra money for it~ I got $158 to Billings in June and $89 to FLL in Jan makes me so happy! Its good to know there are people out there like me 🙂
I love that you say you’re off to see what you can while you can. That’s a great attitude! And, you don’t have to travel far or for long lengths of time to consider yourself a traveler. There are definitely people out there like you!