6 reasons why you should travel sooner rather than later

Thinking about travelling? Don't just talk about it - plan it, save it, book it and go! Here are my top 6 reasons on why you should travel sooner rather than later, before FOMO creeps in. 

1. No responsibilities

You're young and responsibility-free. Why not book that flight now before you have the stresses of work, mortgages and nappies? Seriously, I saw a couple walking through Saigon the other week with their traveller bags on their backs, and the mum was carrying a baby on her front. A BABY. Literally they looked like they were having the most stressful and sweatiest experience. That baby is so not going to remember or appreciate the experience either. Top effort though. 

2. You're not getting any younger... or fitter

Do you really want to travel with that bad back you've only recently developed, that exercise induced asthma that has some how appeared or a medication box the size of small child? The older you get the likeliness is you're not going to be as fit as you once were, and nothing will seem more of a nightmare than jungle trekking, mountain hiking or bungee jumping. 

Also, I'm no doctor, but I'm pretty sure as you get older your bladder gets worse too. It wouldn't be any fun constantly thinking when and where your next visit to the toilet will be. Just plan your trip now... no one likes an incontinent traveller.

''We're not even half way yet?!" Go on Rach.

3. You won't get FOMO

The 'fear of missing out'. This is a thing. Do you really want to get to 30 and have that FOMO feeling? People you went to school with are uploading Facebook profile pictures of them and a cool animal or with a wicked scenic view from around the world. Don't have the FOMO and travel while you can. Before you know it you'll be stuck in the same daily routine, the only person liking your profile picture will be your mum and the chance to travel will be harder than ever. 

4. Fear of the unknown

Travelling when you're older means you have more life experience. But this isn't necessarily a good
thing. It may mean you're more likely to be paranoid about things going wrong. What happens if you miss that one bus, or if you get lost in a new city with no phone or if that new friend you made is actually using you as a drugs mule (Bridget Jones). Constant worrying and over-thinking can only spoil what is suppose to be the time of your life. 

My friend Charlie taught in South Korea before he came to Vietnam and explains how with age comes the constant expectation of things to go wrong. 'Flying out to Korea was one big, exciting adventure for me. But when I came to Vietnam it was different, I seemed to worry more. This comes with age and experience".

5. Less willingness to slum it

In your 20s you're more likely to book a dorm room in a scabby hostel for £4 a night. It's cheaper and you're likely to meet more people. When you're older, comfort will probably be a main priority and a 3* hotel will seem more appealing. But where's the fun in that? No funny stories come from posh hotels. I mean, who wouldn't want a noose in their dorm room?

6. You've got the rest of your life to get a career 

I've mentioned this quite a number of times in my blog. You have the rest of your life to get that 9-5 lifestyle. Though you may have your desired career, it could probably mean you sacrifice any significant periods of time off for travelling. Just travel now. Go on.