(a.k.a. Hi, I’m Autumn and I think you should travel NOW)

Let’s get this out of the way – the inaugural post. I’m starting a blog. I’ve never started a blog before. I’m a pretty practical person who enjoys being a little impractical when it comes to travel. I want to inspire YOU to be a little impractical when it comes to travel – and hopefully offer some tips to help you enjoy the process.

I am certainly not unique in this interest. There is a growing demand for travel experiences from people like me – GenXers and early millennials with no kids (or grown kids), who don’t want to wait for retirement to explore the world.

When I was growing up, trips to Europe in your 20’s weren’t a thing that real people did. My mid-western family felt fortunate to go on the occasional sensible vacation, most of which consisted of a tank of gas or two, way too many hours in a Buick LeSabre, and usually a one-step-up-from-camping lake destination. Cruises and intercontinental travels were something reserved for retirement – after 50+ years of hard work and strategic saving.

Fast forward to the “twenty-teens”… today’s millennials are going to Europe (and beyond) before they move out of their parent’s homes. College degree programs now include time spent studying overseas. What was once seen as extravagant travel is now a resume-builder that is encouraged by both parents and universities.

Suddenly, waiting for retirement to achieve all those travel dreams just doesn’t seem like the smartest way to live. If these 20-somethings can travel, then surely I could – and you can too! Here are a few reasons I think you should travel now (not later!):

• Travel opens your mind – it encourages you to think about things differently, to respect differences in people, and to appreciate our environment
• There is plenty of research that says saying taking a break makes you better at whatever it is that you do at your day job – stop using your days off for errands and use that time to refresh your mind!
• Frankly, there are no guarantees you’ll be alive to fulfill your retirement dreams. Life-changing travel doesn’t have to be wildly expensive, so why not enjoy life a little now?

So, whether you’re already traveling or you’re ready to book your first adventure. I hope you’ll find something useful on my new blog.  Safe travels!