Most people have a love/hate relationship with travelling. They love the adventure, excitement, and growth opportunities that it brings. They hate the fact that they only get to do it every now and again.
Humans used to be nomadic, and there are a lot of people who have not lost that way of living. It’s just that, with jobs and properties and whatnot, it can be hard to organise an extended trip that has you exploring the world for months at a time.
But where there’s a will, there’s a way. Going on a 6 – 12 month travel adventure isn’t easy, but it is doable — and in this post, we’ll show you how. We’ll outline just 3 things you’ll need to make your dream of long-term travel become a reality.
A Remote Job (Or Lots of Savings)
Ever opened up Instagram and found that someone you follow is yet again in an exotic part of the world? In all likelihood, they’re funding their trip as they go — and by that, we mean that they’re living the digital nomad life.
A remote job handles one of the biggest obstacles that prevents people from travelling long-term, since you can do it from anywhere. It can be worthwhile asking your current employer if you can switch to remote working, at least for the duration of your trip. The other option is, of course, to have lots of savings, but if you’re not quite there then you might need a fair amount of time to make that happen.
A Storage Unit
The other obstacle people face when planning a long-term trip is what to do about their housing situation. You don’t want to be stuck paying housing costs when you won’t even be there, after all. If you’re renting, then subletting the space (if allowed) or giving up your lease are two options. If you’re a homeowner, then renting your property to someone else for the duration of your trip is the way to go.
Whichever one of those options you’ll take, you’ll need to have a plan for what you do with your belongings. Most people find that renting a storage unit is the best option. If someone else will be living in your home, the storage space will allow you to declutter the property of your personal belongings so that it can become their space while you’re away. If you’re giving up your lease/room, then the storage unit solves the what will I do with all my stuff problem.
An Ability to Pack Light
When planning a long trip, many people fall into the trap of packing a lot of belongings, on the basis that the longer you’re away from home, the more stuff you’ll need. But we’d argue the opposite — when travelling long term, you should take less stuff. You’ll appreciate your ability to keep things light when you’re continually moving from one place to the next, for months at a time. A few outfits will be fine; you can always buy clothes on your travels if necessary!