It’s a fact: people today can travel the world more easily than ever before. As well as the transport links, there is more flexible working conditions and awareness of how to budget properly. Still, it’s not as if you get to travel as much as you’d like. Am I right, or am I right? When the wanderlust hits, the urge to drop everything and go see the world’s wildest spots is strong.
Unfortunately, there are responsibilities back home that stop you from boarding a plane and exploring the globe. From work to home and family, it’s hard to find a way to prioritize a vacation. The good news is you don’t need to overthink things; people with itchy feet can sneak travel into their lives with a dash of creativity.
5 Ways to See the World’s Wildest Spots
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Fly out early & return late: Part 1
Flying early in the morning and returning late at night gives you as much time as possible to see the sights. However, you need to find a gap when it’s feasible or else you run the risk of annoying the boss, and they might not be very understanding. The simplest answer is often the best one, and that’s why the weekend is a fantastic choice.
Flying as early as possible on a Friday evening and returning on Sunday night is the most efficient use of your time. Because it’s the weekend, no one can stop you and you might be able to slip away from the office without anyone noticing. Things aren’t as tight at the end of the week. Pick a place that’s easy to fly to so that you don’t waste time travelling. For example, Bali is pretty close for Australians, and Australia as a whole is an excellent place for a staycation.
Fly out early & return late: Part 2
However, there is an art to getting up early, moving through time zones and staying awake when you land. Taking a nap will result in you spending all day in bed and not getting the chance to explore the city! So, resist the temptation. The bed looks comfy but there’s plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead. If you do insist on a power nap, drink a cup of coffee, close your eyes for ten minutes and then force them open—you’ll get an adrenaline boost.
Your plane etiquette is another potential roadblock. If you can’t sleep for a couple of hours, you’ll be exhausted on the other side so make sure you’ve got the essentials. A pillow is a must because it stabilizes your neck and stops your head from swaying. Comfy clothes are important too because you can’t sleep in an LBD in a tight space. Women’s leggings and a loose top with sneakers is a combination that never goes wrong. And, if you have the money, you can buy a first-class or business seat and relax in relative luxury so that you’re refreshed and ready to go when you land.
Take unpaid leave
There isn’t enough holiday allocation in the world to allow you to do all the travelling you want to do, which is sad. Even worse, the general amount isn’t great either because it doesn’t take a vacation into account. Thankfully, there is another option: unpaid leave. Of course, the fact that you won’t receive a wage while you are away is a factor to consider. Travelling is expensive and you might have at-home bills to pay too. However, if you have the funds to take time off work and travel, it’s worth considering. After all, there is a job to come back to on your return so it isn’t as if you’re on the scrapheap.
Employers tend to like this compromise as it’s a cost-cutter for them. As long as there is someone to pick up the slack, they get to remove you from the books for a while. Also, it’s an excellent way to keep a valuable employee happy.
Go freelance
The world is full of freelancers these days and there is a good reason: flexibility. Working from home is the dream, but what if you work from anywhere in the world instead? That way, you could balance a demanding schedule and travel more often. All you need is an internet connection and a little organization.
Going freelance doesn’t mean you must quit your job either. There is the option to try and find new clients and be self-employed, but it’s not the only alternative. Talk to your boss and see if they will entertain the idea of you coming into the office less. Employers are happy to oblige because, again, it lowers their costs and frees up extra funds. With fewer people in the workplace, the overhead bill isn’t as expensive. Whichever option you prefer, it’s worth looking into if the idea of constantly travelling sounds appealing.
Suspend your responsibilities
Certain responsibilities are hard to freeze, such as your career. For the most part, you’ll need to find a way to mix the two so that you can have your cake and eat it too. But, this logic doesn’t apply to every duty. Think about your mortgage or rent for a moment—is it restricting? While a contract is iron-clad, it doesn’t mean you can’t shift it to another person.
By renting out your home to a tenant, they can pay your debts off while you travel the world. As long as they are dependable, it’s an easy way to break even and free yourself from your obligations. The trick is to find the ones that you can freeze for a short period.
This “Wildest Spots” post was contributed to The Lady-like Leopard. Feature image by Evangeline Davis.