How to Travel in Your 20s: 3 Quick Steps to Seeing the World

I have gotten asked "How do you travel so much?" many times, I even asked it myself once, but it never really hit home until I met Nick.

Nick and I often share a frustration when we travel, we don’t have anyone to relate to it, or at least share it with. Sure, we share it with each other and love each other very much, but sometimes there are activities that would be augmented by having friends to make memories with. We are both relatively lacking in the friend department. Not because of lack of trying, but because as if making friends in your 20s wasn’t hard enough already, diverting from the normal activities of someone this age makes it even harder, and I will explain what I mean by that.

ALL OF THOSE MIMOSAS, BRUNCHES, CUPS OF COFFEE, AND COVER CHARGES ADD UP TO A BIG AMOUNT AT THE END OF IT ALL.

I moved to Boston on a whim and my whole college life was the epitome of a rollercoaster when it came to social relations. There was even a time when I held four part-time jobs simultaneously—so yes, I was socially deprived. Nick wasn’t and still isn’t even much of a people person even though he went through regular college life—living in a dorm, partying, the whole nine yards. Let’s say he picks people based on quality instead of quantity.

So here we are, both in our late twenties, wishing we could have a group to spend it with. Fast forward all of the pondering we did on the subject and here are some simple conclusions we arrived to:

1. Being a socialite costs freedom

"I literally don't know why I have no money, I only spent, like $200 on drinks and covers this weekend"

Our idea in our twenties of being socialites is going out, drinking, fake smiling, and hopefully getting laid, and then drinking some more. The thing is: all of those mimosas, brunches, cups of coffee, and cover charges add up to a big amount at the end of it all. An amount that could’ve paid for a plane ticket and if you’re one to do this on a loop every weekend, then also add hotel and food.

Coming from bartending at a gay club, I had that exact idea when it came to socializing. Over time I learned that fiscal responsibility, as boring as it sounds, allows for lots of freedom—including seeing the world. Travel is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make on yourself.

2. Let yourself be young

because nothing in life is more boring than pressing the fast forward button.

Let yourself live a little. I’ve seen so many of my peers and people my age rush to get married, have kids and a mortgage—which is fine, to each their own—but don’t complain that you don’t have the money or time to travel when you chose to undertake responsibilities that certainly don’t allow for that until you are ready to retire.

• “Okay, Daniel, but I already said ‘Yes’ to the Dress” Does it have to be a $10,000 dress? Do you need the posh venue? Do you have to invite 150+ people? If the answers to all of these are “yes” then you’ve set your priorities and traveling is not one of them, at least for now. Unless you have a trust fund, then please invite me to your destination wedding.
  

• “I have a mortgage.” First, congratulations on being a homeowner! How many mortgages do you have? This one is easily fixed via a strict budget and I mean down to the penny. If you’re disciplined you will be photographing the Burj Khalifa and coming to your own home. Personally, it has taken a lot of practice and a lot, I mean a lot, of help, but it is absolutely doable!
  

• “I have kids.” I honestly don’t know what to tell you. Hopefully you have a great support system in which you can rely on when you need a break; otherwise, I would suggest working on said support system before thinking about escaping to start.

3. Stop making excuses

excuses are just more obstacles you place in your way.

“But” and “try” are just words that people looking to excuse their behavior love to use. When you really want something, you do. Otherwise, you don’t really want it. You just fantasize about it. Think of all the times you’ve accomplished something in life by making excuses. Now think of all the times you’ve done something by putting in the work. “But I have too many bil—“

Make a budget. I bet there is a lot of fat that can be trimmed. If paid cable needs to make a cut, say “ciao” to that bitch. Netflix is your new best friend. Credit cards? Non. Shopping Sprees? Nein. “I don’t have a decent jo—“

Like I said, I held four jobs once, this was also simultaneously while putting myself through college. No sympathy from me. Hustle harder or go to school and get a degree. Re-organize your life in a way that puts you in an advantageous position depending on what it is you want to accomplish.

“Plane tickets are so expensi—“

Hopper. Skyscanner. Flight trackers exist for a reason. Research low-volume seasons depending on where you are headed. Hostels over hotels.

All in all, travel is very achievable with a bit of discipline and some grit. Who knows where the wind might sweep you off to if you put the effort in! Also, if you’re set on traveling and want to become part of our entourage, hit Nick and I up! We’re always down to travel with fellow adventurers.

Wishing you see the world,

Dan.