Five Reasons Women From the USA Don’t Travel

People ask me everyday how I am able to travel the world. What many people don't understand is that even though they make the argument that it's unattainable it's actually within reach if you are willing to make the sacrifices to get there. Traveling and vacation are very different and you have too realize that traveling takes not only a financial investment but also a time investment, but you can do it if you get over these 5 common excuses.

1) “It’s scary, and I have heard it’s dangerous.”

2) “I can’t afford it, and there is no way for me to budget for it.”

3) “I can’t get the time off.”

4) “Everything I need is in the United States.”

5) “There is no one to go with me. I don’t want to go alone because I’ll be lonely.”

1. This is the most common excuse I hear when I talk to people about traveling. As a solo female traveler I can recognize there is always risk with traveling by myself. What I have learned is there is a safe way to travel anywhere you want to go. Always have a safety plan in place. Keep your valuables close and have an itinerary. I don’t plan my trips start to finish but I make educated decisions on when I will arrive and depart a city and always have a hostel or a accommodation set up for when you get to a new city. Other than that just be street smart! If you’re new to traveling start somewhere like SE Asia or do research about places that are well traveled and where locals are used to helping backpackers or travelers. Also be aware of cultural norms and customs. Make educated decisions about what you wear and how you act so as not to offend your host country.

2. This is a real issue. Many people either don’t want to prioritize travel and create a realistic budget or they don’t know how. The bottom line here is, if you want to travel you can find a way to do it. Creating a budget is hard work and if you want to do it you can. Cut out the little things and watch the way you can easy save a few bucks a day. Starbucks cut it out. Shopping knock it off. And eat in. Remember that if you can stay on budget for long enough you can trade those few months of coffee deprivation for a plane ticket. One cup of Starbucks is equal to one nights stay in a Cambodian budget hostel. There is unlimited information on hostels anywhere you want to go. Utilize social media for reviews. Hostels are not what they used to be. They are clean, tidy, and affordable. If they aren’t the internet will know.

3. My biggest piece of advice is that if you love your job and it truly makes you happy just ask for vacation. Work with your company to negotiate time off for the opportunity to work on the road or put in extra hours before and after your trip dates. Be flexible but always take the opportunity to ask. Worst case you get told no and you go from there. What a lot of people don’t realize is there is also opportunities to work abroad and work with digital nomads.

4. Almost true! The United States is stunning and beautiful. I wouldn’t argue there is exponential diversity crossing state borders. However, there is no argument that the ways in which you can learn about and immerse in differing cultures is comparable to traveling outside of your home country. Having the opportunity to experience a new place, with a new language, and the escape of the American way is truly priceless. And also addicting!

5. Very common. And to be honest true. One of the most frustrating parts about traveling is trying to find someone to come with. Solution. Travel solo. Easy. Even if you have no travel experience you can travel solo. (Check out more articles on traveling solo). One assurance is that when traveling you will always meet people. No matter where you are you will meet people. Especially in hostels. One of the biggest advantages of staying in hostels is no matter what season or time of year there are always people in the hostels and you can easily trade travel tips and destinations. Also ask locals. Locals are the best vets for information, just be patient with language barriers.

“Take moments as opportunities.” – Anonymous