The Financial Realities of Travel
Let's be real. Our taxes were due this week. Q1 reports are in. I logged into all of my accounts recently, and all I could see was market depreciation. The financial realities are omnipresent right now, aren't they?
I want to have an honest conversation about budgets. I think many of us are thinking differently about our money this year – where it goes, how we spend it, and what truly matters. I've talked before about the ROI of travel, and for me personally, I will always continue to budget for it because I believe it's one of the best investments in self we can make.
But I also want to acknowledge the fact that these are uncertain financial times. So here's the question worth exploring: How can we still invest in ourselves through travel, even if it looks different than before?
The Power of Solo Travel
Self-care is important. But sometimes, you can only do so much meditation and yoga. Sometimes you just need to get away!
Solo travel is profound. When you travel alone, you connect with different parts of yourself that often lie dormant in the hustle and bustle of daily life. This becomes especially important in a world where social media can make life transitions (like empty nesting) even more challenging because everything feels so visible and constantly compared.
Outside of the Dare to Detour retreats I lead, I make it a point to go on my own solo retreat every year. It's non-negotiable for my wellbeing. But maybe that's not in the cards for you right now. Maybe you have to choose between a solo trip and one with family or friends, or perhaps neither feels financially feasible at the moment.
Creating Solo Adventures Within Budget Constraints
There is so much noise in our lives, and we have to find ways to quiet it. While budgeting for a full solo trip might be ideal, here are some creative, more cost-effective ways to spend time having your own adventure:
Become a local tourist: Explore your own city or region with fresh eyes. Book a night at a local hotel or B&B and disconnect from your usual responsibilities.
Create backyard retreats: When my kids were little, I would set up a tent in the backyard for them and the dog to sleep outside, giving me the house to myself for the night. It was magical!
Day trips with intention: Take a day trip to a nearby destination you've never explored. Turn off notifications, bring a journal, and make it a true solo experience.
Home swap weekends: Connect with a friend who lives in another town and swap homes for a weekend. New environment, minimal cost.
Silent retreats: Many spiritual centers offer affordable weekend retreats where you can disconnect and reset.
Early morning adventures: Wake up two hours before everyone else for several days in a row. Use this time for walks, journaling, or simply sitting with coffee watching the sunrise.
Off-season travel: Consider traveling during shoulder or off-season when prices drop significantly but destinations still offer wonderful experiences.
Points and miles strategy: Develop a deliberate strategy for accumulating and using travel points throughout the year.
The reality is that while these are uncertain financial times, I want to flip this challenge on its head. Finding creative ways to nurture ourselves through travel experiences – however we define them – can actually be enjoyable. It's a fun problem to have: How can I create meaningful experiences for myself within my current reality?
We can still do this. We can still find ways to detour from our everyday lives, even when budgets are tight. In fact, constraints often lead to the most innovative solutions and sometimes the most meaningful experiences.