Only the Very Special, Lucky, Rich, and Perfect (Like Me) Can Travel
On this earth, there are tons of normal, nice-enough, every day people: our co-workers, the other moms in the PTA, our neighbors, our sister-in-laws. They go to work, clean the house, take kids to after-school activities, and get the best from their suburban lives. Their lawn is way greener, they have white couches that actually stay white, and the Mrs. really has zero cellulite. I hate those people. I do. I had a knack for killing pretty green things; my dark brown couches were always stained; and I have more cellulite than I’d care to talk about.
I have never felt that together, that organized, that fashionable, that picture-perfect. So, back home, I often felt weird, out of place, and alone. But now, it turns out the world sees something else in me, too. Everyone we know says they wish they could ‘retire at 30-something’ and travel the world forever. They say we are like walking super heroes- living the dreams most are wary to even think of. They feel tired, lost, 40-going-on 70; while we’re considering moving from South America to Asia to become qualingual (I made up the word- shoot me!).
Wish you could travel the world with your family? Wish you could afford it? Wish your life, today, would be adventurous and amazing? Our entire community of Family World Travelers would like to share with you a few secrets. My response is “Only the Very Special, Lucky, Rich, and Perfect (Like Me) Can Travel”. Come learn why.
You see friends. I am beautiful, unique, extraordinary, and amazing. But, so are you. I am very special, lucky, rich and perfect. But, so are you.
I thought when we went off to travel the globe that everything would become instantly utopic. That we would never hate each other again, that my kids would walk the streets harmonizing love songs to each other, that we’d never feel lost and confused like we did back home. Bullshit! And if anyone’s travel blog tells you otherwise, they’re lying. I am, and my family is, as normal, as any other family on this globe. Are we special, lucky, rich and perfect? Sure. Just as special, lucky, rich and perfect as your family.
The Five Things You Must Do To Live Your World Family Travel Dreams
1. See Eye to Eye
Many have told us wistfully how they would die to go, but the wife/husband/ex would never agree to it. It doesn’t matter what all the other critics in your life say. (Our family and friends all said we were crazy and irresponsible!) If Mom and Dad are not into the same crazy vibration, it just won’t work long-term. You can still plan marvelous month+ vacations using the same concepts below; but you both have to agree that you want your kids to be out of school/life/the safety of home to explore the Great Unknown.
2. Bow to The Great Unknown
This was the scared thing for me to face: The Great Unknown. I liked my safe, cushy life; I liked my bubble, and everything beyond was so intimating. Even today, the Panamanian told us how dangerous the Colombian are; the Colombians were wary of those scary Ecuadorians; and everyone in Central and South American knew that Peru was terrifying. Hug your fears, bow to them, and trust the Universe. We have found the world to be a lovely, safe, ever-unfolding fairytale.
3. Save For It Passionately
While I sweat all day in an ice cream truck to pay my way through community college, my richy-rich friends were partying at Ivy League frat parties. Unless you are one of the elite silver-spooners; you are going to have to work really hard, and passionately to save enough money for your travel bug. Both of our ebooks, The Shortest Road and Saving for The Dream, have helped countless wanna-be’s figure out exactly what they need to do to make these dreams viable. In brief, you will need to exert discipline, creativity, and a change of state of mind to make long-term family travel a reality. The books delineate exactly how to do this.
4. Keep It Alive
We got lost a lot on the way out of the door. We’d second-guess ourselves, listen to the criticisms of those around us, and got swamped in by life. The daily grind sometimes became so overbearing that we could barely keep our heads afloat, let alone plan our dreams. Reading world travel books and family travel blogs helped keep it alive. Though at times they felt stagnant and made for good jokes(“How is the travel to-do list going?”), we kept our To-Do a constant topic of conversation. By keeping the dream alive, it remained, always, a part of our lives.
5. Just Do It
You will never be ready. I wasn’t ready when I got married, when I had my first child, when I took my first client, and when I walked out the door with two huge backpacks. You won’t be ready either. Your kids will never be the perfect age, you’ll never be in perfect shape, and you’ll never have enough money. So, just do the leap of faith. Just do it. Cuz if you don’t, you will likely spend the rest of your life wishing you had.
Oh, and listen. We’re doing something new and exciting. We want to start sharing with our readers on a deeper lever. We’re opening a mailing list in which we’ll mail our readers insider videos, photos, and thoughts we don’t share anywhere else. Not on Facebook and not on YouTube. So, to join the mailing list, add your name to the rss of the blog to get every post to your inbox or write me on the contact form and I’ll just add you to the list that gets the newsletter. I’ll add you to the list, with great joy and honor.
It is my esteem honor to be a part of one amazing community of supportive, like-minded World Family Travelers. (I bet most of them don’t have white couches and do have cellulite too. ) We’ve come together to send out a very clear message: STOP ENVYING US AND BECOME ONE OF US! From six continents around our lovely little globe, we’re waiting for you to join us! Read their words and allow your soul, like mine, to be inspired by more everyday heroes making their family world travel dreams come true.
Anyone can travel by Mary at Bohemian Travelers
http://www.bohemiantravelers.
Diet shouldn’t stop you from travelling by Amy at livin’ on the road
http://www.livinontheroad.com.
If Anyone Can Travel Why Don’t You? – Keryn at Walkingon Travels (twitter: @walkingontravel)
http://walkingontravels.com/
Not Everyone Can Travel – by Living Outside of the Box (heeeheee…! Yes–it IS on topic!)
http://livingoutsideofthebox.
You Have to Be Special Like Us if You Want an Awesome Life – Discover Share Inspire
www.discovershareinspire.com/
True Story: Single mother from Bushwick, Brooklyn, funds long-term trip without having to sell a kidney – Melissa at Break Out of Bushwick
http://breakoutofbushwick.org/
Anyone Can Travel, Just Let Go by Diya at a minor diversion
http://www.minordiversion.com/
Don’t Be Jealous of Our Travels! Be Happy for Us and Know That You Can Make it Happen Too !
http://growingracelife.
Anyone Can Travel…Just Find Your Way by Kate at Experiential Family @experientialfamhttp://experientialfamily.com/
Pity, Envy, and why anyone can travel — Clark Vandeventer of FamilyTrek.org @FamTrek
http://www.familytrek.org/why-
Travel – Possible? http://www.wandering-
Even Solo Mamas on Government Handouts Can Travel (by Jody): http://solomamatravels.com/
A Family Travel Lifestyle….. Loreena at Little Aussie Travellers
http://www.
New Life on the Road - http://www.newlifeontheroad.
Love it! Especially #1, #2 & #5 – Totally agree. That’s how we make it happen.
The first one is the most important … I think that is such a great point. Mum and Dad have to be on the same page with it!
LOVE number five, and definitely agree!!
Its so very true….its a matter of just getting out there and going for it! There is never a perfect time, nor is there a perfect age group…and yep our kids are normal (they still fight but also love exploring together)
All of your points are so true – especially number 5! Just do it…just get out there and travel so that there is no “I Wish” statements.
What a great family lifestyle you all have. Such a wonderful way to grow up and it’s helpful that you are all in agreement and on the same page! Some families are not even on the same chapter ( or even in the same book! : ) Love all the happy photos..such a blessed family you all are !
Susan