Just Do It!!

I find it fascinating how often I hear of how surprised people are to find "unknown" experiences in their own back yard. I for one had to realize this myself considering my first solo traveling adventure was not in my own backyard of Canada but rather in Europe. However, as much as I appreciated going to Europe I was very excited when the opportunity came for me to finally explore a bit of my country.

As a child growing up in British Columbia I was fortunate to have been raised by a single parent who enjoyed taking my brothers and I to explore the outdoors. Every chance my mother had she was taking us outside; whether it was to simply going on a nature walk, going camping, or going for a swim to one of the many lakes that surrounded us we were always outside.

When I think back to all the time I was able to spend outdoors as a child as well as all the travelling we did it has made me realize that this is why I love doing what I am currently doing. Now that I have finished University I can focus on what I love to do; being outdoors and being able to travel.

So I guess the idea behind all of this is to not only share with those who care what I have been up too over the years and will hopefully continue to do but to also encourage others to do the same. I have heard almost every excuse known to mankind about why people decide not to travel;

"It costs too much money"
If you actually thought about this one okay yes it does cost money but what doesn't. If people stopped to realize how much money they spend on eating out, going to the movies, buying unnecessary things etc, they would realize that if they said "NO" to one or all of those things a few times a month and instead put that money away into a travel fund that even if it took a year they would have money to go.

"I don't like travelling alone"
Who says you have too. When I went over to Europe I was alone but at the same time if you are a friendly person than you will have no problems meeting someone. I wasn't there a full day and I had already made friends. Another solution to this problem is going with a tour company! My suggestion would be to check out Contiki. They offer numerous tours for people between the ages of 18-35 all over Europe, Asia, and North America. My European adventure was done with Contiki and I loved every minute of it. I got to see all the “tourist” sights that I probably would not had been able to see on my own, plus I made some amazing friends. The fear of traveling alone wasn’t there because you are never alone.

“I have no interest in traveling”
I would have to all bull sh*it on this. Everyone in one way or another has some interest in traveling. Everyday people travel whether to work, school, or to meet friends you are traveling. I once had a friend who said they had no interest in traveling but yet would travel outside of the city to different places to go camping and hiking. Is that not traveling! You may not have an interest in going overseas and that is fine, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. However having said that if you enjoy the lovely outdoors that your backyard has to offer than travel locally…it’s still traveling!!

“I don’t have time”A common and very poor excuse to use. Everyone has time you just have to make it. Everyone who works is entitled to vacation days and/or days off, I suggest you make good use of this time away from work and get out and enjoy life. For those who enjoy traveling but always say they don’t have time a simple suggestion to you MAKE TIME! Having a career and/or having a family does not mean that traveling has to be put on the side line.

“I hate flying”I am sure if anyone has looked at a map that they would realize that there are hundreds of places you can go to without having to fly. When I went overseas I wasn’t too keen on flying but I survived, like most people I do prefer to have my feet on solid ground but sometime that isn’t an option. However there are other options to going overseas if this is where you’d like to go, options like taking a ship. Be sure to have your seasickness meds and sea legs and you’ll be fine. One big thing to remember is that your adventure can be can be had  both on the other side of the world or the other side of town it is all going to depend on what you make of it.

“It’s too dangerous”Did you know you are more likely to get injured leaving your front steps than traveling overseas? Terrorism (9/11) Plane crashes etc, two of the more common “dangers” in our world today and let me be clear there are dangers while traveling but I don’t think it is a good excuse as to why you shouldn’t travel. Be smart, be cautious and you’ll be fine. Traveling shouldn’t be any more dangerous than crossing the street to work every day.

At the end of the day the ultimate decision is the individuals. If you really want your adventure to happen than you’ll make it happen one way or another. For me I have followed the expected course of life that is implanted into us from birth; finish high school, go to university, get a career, get married, have kids…Okay so I have actually only accomplished two of the expected life courses so far but that’s okay. My reasoning for this is because life is too short and I have decided to cast away what is expected of me and just GO! Thus far I haven’t regretted a single decision I’ve made.

LIVE LOVE LAUGH

& JUST DO IT!