My early 20’s were filled with excuses as to why I couldn’t travel - “I don’t have the money.” “I don’t have anyone to go with.” “It’s not safe.” “Who will watch Coco (my dog)?” The list went on and on. But, the moment I made travel a priority in my life, my world opened up. It was as if I’d been living with blinders on and by taking them off, getting my passport, and hopping on a plane to my first international destination, I was able to discover parts of myself that I had never known existed.

I am a firm believer, that if something is TRULY important to us, we will find a way to prioritize it, but sometimes we don’t even know what we are missing. So, here are the top 7 reasons that you should make travel a priority this year.

#1 Experiences > Things

We live in an age of instant gratification, where we can simply click a button and have a new pair of shoes, earrings, etc. delivered to us the very next day. But these things will not keep us happy for long, they get old and out of style quickly and leave us wanting for the next newest thing - and that’s how companies want it, because they want us to buy more.

An amazing experience or trip on the other hand, will leave you with memories and feelings of joy, gratitude, and love that will last you long after the latest shoe trend wears off. Experiences are what you will remember at the end of your life, not a shirt you bought that one summer. Skip buying things this year and, instead, buy yourself memories.

#2 Self-Discovery

Traveling gives you the opportunity to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday living. Taking time from the day-to-day, allows you to discover parts of yourself that get buried by job stresses, social commitments, and bills. Having the opportunity to slow down and see your life from a less-involved perspective, allows you to see where you can adjust, tweak, and refine your life so that you continue to grow and evolve into the highest version of yourself.

#3 Gaining Perspective

If you ever watch the news, you know that the world is portrayed as an absolutely terrifying place to be. Once you travel, you’ll see that this, for the most part, is bullshit. Now, of course it depends on where you are visiting, and you always want to make sure that you remain conscious of your surroundings, but for the most part PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE. Traveling provides you the opportunity to see that people are inherently good, they will want to help you if you are lost, and they will most likely greet you with kindness in their eyes and a smile on their face.

If you live in a first world country, seeing how other people live can also help you to realize how easy you have and how little one actually needs to be happy. Going to Peru gave me this insight. While the people didn’t have the material things that we have, there was more love, joy, and community than I have ever experienced in the US. It was incredibly inspirational and beautiful to witness.

Gaining this perspective can help you to reinforce your connection to other beings, return to gratitude for the life and opportunities you do have, and spark inspiration for giving back and helping others in need.

#4 Connect with nature

Before you experience the insanely magical beauty of Mother Nature first-hand, you may not feel all that passionate about protecting the earth. Let me tell you this - hiking through a vast mountain range, swimming through clear blue waters with sea turtles, and looking up at millions of stars in the sky out in the middle of nowhere - are experiences that will open your heart and remind you of our deep connection to the earth. This connection, this grounding, is essential for the preservation of our planet and for the preservation of our own human spirit and we continue to become more and more bombarded with technology.

#5 Avoid Burnout

We live in a technologically-bloated, hustle-worshipping day in age where it is easy to become burnt out. Taking a trip can help you to reset and come back to your life feeling fresh, inspired, and creative - which will ultimately help you to succeed and be the best version of you!

#6 Flights are CHEAP

Never has it been easier to fly. With sites like Momondo, Google Flights, and Skyscanner, booking can be cheap and easy. I just bought a multi-city flight from Honolulu to Bali to LAX for LESS than $560! My personal tricks for finding the cheapest flights include: searching for flights on Tuesdays, buying 6-8 weeks out, and searching from an Incognito window.

#7 Group Travel is IN

Don’t want to travel alone and have no one to go with? Group travel and retreats have become HUGE in the past few years. From hiking treks, to cycling tours, to yoga retreats, and more there’s a group trip for everyone. Group trips also make it easier, since they are usually pre-planned, and they give you the opportunity to meet like-minded people. One of my favorite things about leading retreats, is the lasting friendships and connections that are made between guests. :)

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So, if travel is something you’ve been wanting to do, drop the excuses. Pick a location, start tracking flights, and commit. You’ll see that once you commit, somehow things begin to fall into place! Make 2019 your year of personal discovery, adventure, and life-long memories!

If you’re looking for a group trip this spring, join me for my Bali Magic Retreat March 10-17th!