With one click of the mouse, I had life altering plans. Perhaps I am being dramatic, but that simple click is often the hardest aspect to travel, especially when you have no plans and you are going it alone. That click, the circling of the purchase button should come with a set of instructions. A little video should pop up with a motivational speaker or a piece of chocolate should jump out from the screen. Sadly, I have yet to find an airline search engine that lends that pat on the back, the support you need to click purchase.
For some, pressing purchase comes without hesitation, without any sort of courage or bravery. Those people can purchase a big ticket without a care or worry. Who wouldn’t be excited to travel? I don’t think those of us that have trouble clicking purchase aren’t excited to travel. It seems as though we just have a few barricades in our way, a handful of “oh no I couldn’t possibly”s running through the mind. After biting the bullet and clicking purchase for a month in Ireland in March, I thought I would pass along just how I found that courage to actually buy the plane ticket. If that is the hardest part, I am already there.
Lose The Mindset of Needing a Travel Buddy
While this may sound somewhat insensitive, if you want to travel, you really just have to go for it and not wait around for that best friend or traveling partner to get their finances in order. If you have the time and money and all that is holding you back is not having a buddy to travel with you, go. Click purchase and be merry. I realized I wouldn’t have some friend I could rope into going to Ireland with me. It is something I wanted, so I went for it. You can’t worry about being alone if travel is your priority.
My invisible travel buddy
Don’t Sort Out Travel Finances Late at Night
Before deciding to go to Ireland for March, I would have sleepless nights after going over every dollar a few hours before bedtime. Thinking about money or talking about money before you are about the make the plunge will do nothing toward your confidence to make travel happen. I put the calculator away, stopped checking my bills and refrained from sorting out how much money I will have by the end of May if I go. I became ridiculous. If you want it, make it happen but worrying about money until all hours of the night will only deter the dream. I’m not saying forget about money, but the evening hours and worrying don’t always make for the most courageous of characters in the morning.
Stopping fretting over lose change
Look for a Travel Support System
After revealing to the world that I am a solo travel fraud, I was overwhelmed with the responses similar to “you go girl”. I think having people voice in on your hesitation to travel can be a good thing, even if someone says you will never do something or the opposite, a person gives you that compliment to click purchase. We are human beings after all and need that support from others sometimes to get that extra push. Even the naysayers can help, telling you “no” only to make you say “yes”. Talk to travelers through social media or even in your “real” life. They are usually dead on when it comes to going for travel, having the experience of living the different stages of travel you might not.
Gnomes in Switzerland supporting my travel endeavors
Avoid Planning Quicksand
One of the hardest aspects for me in terms of finding the courage to travel was planning. Planning can become similar to that of quicksand. The more factors you consider can start weighing you down and before you know it, you are stuck in planning quicksand, frozen and unable to purchase a ticket for the planning seems too daunting. For some reason, I thought I needed a plan. You don’t. The only thing I need at the moment is a plane ticket. The planning can come in those months building up to travel. If you have a ticket, all will fall into place with time. In the wise words of Tom Petty, it will all work out, eventually.
What are some of the ways you find the courage to click purchase and travel?
When we purchased our tickets to Colombia (first leg of our RTW), it was quite a blur. I’m pretty sure plenty of wine was involved 🙂 Not a recommended method to conquer fear of traveling, of course… I’m just throwing it out there.
Ugh! I feel your pain on this one! For me, I want to make certain I get the perfect deal! I am as frugal and budget minded as they come. And now when I travel, there are a lot more people I have to pay for. I understand where you are coming from on this – from all perspectives. But I do enjoy the planning part! Unfortunately, the costs of purchasing that ticket are going up!
I know that as soon as I click the button, every thing else will fall into place–mostly because it just has to! Although my departure date to Australia keeps getting closer and the list of things I need to do before I leave just keeps growing…oh well! There’s no way I’m missing that plane!
I can do the solo thing, but the money factor always comes into play. I told my family I’d come with them to Mexico in May for my cousin’s wedding. I can’t really afford it, but I can if I dip into my school savings. On one hand the practical me says stay home, and save money. But the dreamer and idealist says go for it, because if I stay home I’ll regret it forever. After all looking back you won’t remember how much money you had in your bank account on a given day, but you’ll remember an awesome travel adventure.
I’m going to chime in on this ‘You go girl!’ chant – because gathering the courage to book a ticket deserves one! Like most things that are worth doing, they can come with lots of hesitation, anxiety and sleepless nights but you’re so right about shaking off the tension and letting go of trying to control and plan for everything. Once again, YOU GO GIRL!
I strongly agree with your first point – waiting for others to join you means you might not ever go anywhere. One large part of traveling is the freedom you experience. Going it solo gives you way more freedom than being tied to someone else while on the road. I like the rest of the post too 🙂
It does take courage to travel alone, but it can be so rewarding too, as you know. I do get stuck in the mindset of “I need to have a plan in place” before I can make a move. I’ll try to remember that it doesn’t need to be quite as mapped out as I think.
LOVE that photo of you and your imaginary friend! 🙂
I gave up long ago on waiting for someone to join me. Actually I’m kinda glad that I’ll be traveling solo. I’m not sure I could deal with any one for an extended amount of time.
A very thought-provoking post, Suzy. I’ve always traveled with my husband, but would I really travel alone? That takes courage and hats off to you. I think the courage to purchase a ticket and just EXPLORE alone deserves a nod.
Charu
The best idea I’ve ever heard is to be rewarded with chocolate after making a big travel purchase! Love it.
A glass of champagne usually helps? It is a celebration after all! 🙂
You’ll never regret it.
It’s so funny that a lot of us are going through the travel initiation anxiety right now. I was fortunate enough to have someone standing there saying, “do it!” to help me push the button. Now, I’m here and I’m glad so far. I agree that the support on-line and from real life friends’ encouragement helps a ton.
Great job for taking the plunge.
Kim
P.S. I love the “travel partner” photo. ;o)
The courage lies in part to the fact that I know travel is the best money spent, the best time spent and an investment in my happiness, creativity and overall life goals…what else can I say that for?
Another great post! I’m not surprise your “travel fraud” article resulted in a groundswell of support. Your sincerity comes through in your writing and we appreciate that! I hope you have an amazing solo trip and can’t wait to read about your travels…
Great post! Our bout with courage came with just getting on the plane after we had just sold everything. It was the moment of reckoning and we dove in. No regrets, and traveling is what gives us solace. @Jill from above, wine certainly helps us make decisions too!
I hear you. Money issues are definitely the biggest barrier for travel for me, and I agonize over it endlessly. The best way I’ve found is to simply find a really good airfare somewhere, and hit the “Buy now” button as quickly as possible. Then I’ll worry about lodging and food costs 🙂
I fear staying more than going alone. I fear wondering in 20 hours, 20 days or 20 years, “What if I’d…” far more than the lack of companionship. Be smart to stay safe, be respectful and open – you won’t be alone if you don’t want to be as those keys will bring you friends during the journey.
I’m just back from 2 months in Cambodia where I didn’t know a soul and I now have more friends (locals and xpat types alike) than I thought possible. Some of which have developed into very close friendships I cherish.
Go and have no regrets.
Hi Suzy, great posts……my ‘purchase button’ has been pressed for a round the world life changing blast. No more inspiration needed. I’m travelling to Vancouver first then NZ then OZ. I will think about planning the other bits when I get to the airport!.
Can’t wait