How to Stop Putting Off Travel Plans and Start Living

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." -- Mark Twain

One thing I have in common with women I meet is that I wish I had more time for travel. It’s the thing that gives me welcome respite from my busy life and allows me to create and enjoy new experiences. I try to get in as much away time as possible, but let’s face it, I can find a million obstacles to globe-hopping; it always seems like it’s never the right time.

But what I know to be true is that life isn’t going to hand me the perfect opportunity to take that dream vacation. So I’ve jotted down a few ideas to help women like me get out and see the world, no matter what our circumstance.

Find the Time

The biggest concern for many of us is finding the time to travel. Especially for women like me who have children, getting a much-needed break can seem next to impossible. I try to focus most of my time on the kids' school breaks, particularly summer time and holiday travel when I can get discounted flights. But for those of us who can’t afford to take an extended trip, planning a short getaway is a great alternative—I sometimes plan getaways during the off-season, that way so I’m not competing with tourists for personal space and I have access to lower costs.

Find the Money

While it’s true most of us aren’t sitting on a gold mine, if we can learn to make vacation a priority we can make plans to save for it over time. While my savings helps put a dent on the majority of the costs, I offset miscellaneous expenses like food and excursions using my credit cards. But I always keep in mind that I have to stay focused on paying them down, that way I get the joy of a taking a vacation without worrying about dealing with financial fallout when I return. My motto is this: my family comes first, but in order to be a great wife and mom, I’ve got to do what's best for my emotional well-being.

Find Some Friends

While some people enjoy traveling by themselves, it isn’t for everyone. I prefer to spend my getaway time with friends and family, and I know coordinating schedules can be challenging, especially for single women wanting to travel with friends.

Think you can’t buddy up on vacation? Think again—there’s a good chance the people in your circle are looking to travel but they too might be concerned they’ll be traveling alone. Reaching out might present the perfect opportunity for a girlfriend’s getaway. And if you find that you just can't seem to make schedules mesh, there's still other alternatives. Check out group tours or look for travel groups on social media. There’s always someone who wants to go somewhere and you might be giving that person a great opportunity to make new friends.

Find A Destination

Now that you have the figured in future travel time, friends, and finances, it’s time to decide on a destination. Think about what you want to gain from your getaway—are you looking for the serenity of sun, sand, and surf? Or would you rather spend time enjoying the peace and tranquility of the quiet mountains? Maybe an educational visit to an historical site is more to your liking. What’s important is to make sure that you can use the time to relax and renew your mind and spirit.

I’m off to plan my next getaway…maybe you should too.