Turn Your Travel Dreams Into Reality
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?
Step one is to think, daydream, about what you really want to do. What is your vision for travel or your future dreams? Maybe start a wish list. It’s sort of like a bucket list, but somehow wish list sounds better. iWish is a fun app to get you started. Think about what makes your heart sing, brings you happiness, brings joy and excitement to your day. Maybe your dream isn’t even travel related – whatever it is – if you dream, and believe it, you can make it happen.
“I dream my painting and I paint my dream.” ~ Vincent van Gogh
DEVELOP A PLAN
Downsize/Simplify – the less we need to worry about taking care of in our daily lives, the more time we have to play. It’s easy to get wrapped up in wanting more things, but does it bring you happiness or are you weighed down by debt and too many things to take care of? When you let go of the trappings of material possessions, you make room for new aspects of your life. Get brutal – once you start to simplify and clear the clutter it feels like a weight is lifted. Even if it’s just cleaning out that junk drawer. What a great feeling when the first pen you reach for actually works!
Start a travel fund – cut out cable or other unnecessary expenses; eat out less; sell what you don’t need and put the funds into a special account.
Start collecting credit card points. Pay everything with the credit card – monthly bills, groceries, everything. Just be sure to pay off the balance each month. Many cards have sign up bonuses and it’s amazing how quickly you can build up enough points for free flights and other discounts. Here’s a great link to Best Credit Cards for Travel.
Research hotel alternatives – Think outside the box. Options like VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) and Airbnb are great alternatives to hotel rooms. Depending on your length of stay, you can get a room or entire house for less than a hotel room. Click here for a $20 credit on your first stay with Airbnb
Don’t over plan – if we wait for everything to be perfect, we may never pursue our dreams. To make your dreams a reality, you have to be proactive, but at the same time be open to possibilities. When I Flew The Coop a couple of years ago I had no idea where the adventure would take me, and what a beautiful journey it has been – even better than the dreams I imagined.
Ecuador January 2014. I was so out of shape, I felt like Rocky reaching the summit of this peak in the high altitude.
ANNOUNCE YOUR PLANS
Tell everyone. By getting it out there, it will become more real. The more you talk about it, the less it becomes a dream and the closer you get to making it a reality. Careful not to let others discourage you. Some will be encouraging, but others might look at you as if your crazy. Remember, it’s your life, not theirs. We all have different dreams. Stay positive and motivated – follow your heart!
MAKE EVERY DAY AN ADVENTURE
Try pushing your limits and become more adventurous in your every day life.
Be open to new ideas and experiences. Say yes when friends (or new people in your life) invite you along to an activity you know nothing about. Learning to sail was terrifying to me, but pushing past the fear felt so good! Don’t let the fear of learning a new skill hold you back. We all have to start somewhere and you just might enjoy it – or even find a new passion. If nothing else it will give you something to talk (and laugh) about while getting you out of the house to explore another aspect of the big world we live in.
Try a new food. It’s easy to get into a rut with what we eat every day. Make it a mission to try one new food a week – work towards healthy choices and you’ll feel better all the way around.
The street food in Thailand was amazing. It was cheap, delicious, usually healthy choices, and we never got sick, not one time.
Our recent road trip in Oregon and California opened up even more chances to enjoy new foods. There was one in particular that has had a profound change on our eating habits. The Ravens Restaurant in Mendocino serves some of the most beautifully presented, delicious foods of any restaurant with an added bonus – It’s all vegan. The meals are not only delicious & nutritious, but at the end of the meal you feel really good and completely satisfied. I love this quote from their website: “We are committed to help make understanding a sustainable plant based diet easy for our guests.”
Just Go
Spend the weekend exploring a new place, go on a road trip, or just get out and hike. Avoid making excuses and just go!
Spend Time in Nature. Even when it’s cold outside, don’t let it trap you indoors for too long. Now’s your chance to try new activities – snowshoe, cross country ski, or just go take a walk breathing in the fresh air and (hopefully) a little sunshine.
Living in Northern Michigan gives plenty of opportunity for winter activities.
Live life to the fullest, let go of what doesn’t nourish your soul, and find happiness in every precious minute.
Celebrate every day, thankful for where you are and all the beauty you bring to this world. Love the life you live, and embrace what makes your heart sing.
“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Did you enjoy this article? What are your dreams? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
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