Travel won’t solve your problems.
Everywhere you go, there you are.
But wait! What’s better than traveling?
Thanks for asking. A nice, comfy bed with fast WiFi and homemade meals.
That is UN-BEAT-ABLE.
Travel takes energy.
You can burnout easily (just like I did) from traveling too much. It can get tedious with airport TSA, hauling luggage or a backpack, and trying to figure out what metro station to take next. Yeesh.
It’s an Open-World Video Game with ZERO Quests
Imagine an expansive, immersive world with amazing graphics and cool designs. It’s truly great. But there’s nothing to do.
It’s empty.
This is what a lot of travel is like this.
Travel is Unnatural (Evolutionarily Speaking)
Humanity did NOT evolve to travel to the other side of the globe in a matter of hours and start experiencing and adapting to new social customs and different languages overnight. It’s not natural to the human brain.
We evolved to find the most fulfillment in close tribes forming emotional bonds with members of our group.
Having a group of friends that you can communicate with and share experiences with – even if it’s in a small, Podunk town with NOTHING to do but drink beer at the local brewery – is worth it.
It’s actually better than travel. Cultivating close-knit ties is what meets our core human needs of connection.
Travel does not.
Travel Blogging or Vlogging is “Work,” Not “Fun”
Travel blogging is a fun hobby! Right? No. Technically it’s work.
It’s a job that rips you out of the moment and puts you into the mode of “I need to get this job done. I’ve got a deadline.”
…As if we don’t do enough of this at our day jobs, right?
The time that you would otherwise spend really enjoying and immersing yourself in the spirit of the place that you’re visiting is instead flittered away by documenting everything important, collecting B-roll footage (of which there never seems to be enough), splicing it together, thinking about angles, lighting, and image composition.
“Scene. Cut. Roll to Next Scene. Cut.” And so forth.
Travel vlogging (or blogging) is work. You’re not “in the moment” indulging in the pleasure of the experience.
The Best Reasons to Travel (Even if You’re “Broke”)
- Take a break from the mundane 9-5 work, sleep, chores, family life routine
- Expand your horizons
- Explore new ways of thinking and perceiving the world
- Build interesting and unique memories to look back on
- Travel can be life-affirming
You are dying. Time is flying. What better thing to do, than to travel where you want to?
Excellent Travel Substitutes to Save Money & Time
Here’s the hardcore truth about travel:
- It’s Expensive!
- Requires a LOT of energy
- It takes TIME (you need to tap into your PTO at work or risk losing momentum as an entrepreneur)
Here are some exceptional travel substitutes that I’ve used that REALLY work!!!
#1. Google Maps Research
If you don’t mind Google collecting your data and selling it to various agencies…this app is AWESOME!
I do this ALL of the time. I’m digging through Google Maps finding street views and exploring how certain things look. IT’s a great way to start planning and preparing for your trips, no matter where you’re going.
#2. Google Earth + VR Headset
This is truly a great way to start exploring the world in the FIRST PERSON!
Getting a VR headset and plugging into Google Earth is truly the best way to experience foreign places without the time, effort, and copious amounts of money required to actually travel there!!!
Screen mirror Google Earth from your computer to a giant flatscreen TV. That’s the way to go!
#3. YouTube Travel Vlog Videos & 4K Walks
YouTube travel vlogs are a fun way to experience other places vicariously, learn new information, and entertain yourself in your free time!
You may really long to travel somewhere and after viewing a 1st person 4k walk through the city, change your mind.
For me, I wanted to visit Puerto Vallarta.
After seeing what day-to-day life was like there, I said “I’m bored to tears already!”
#4. Take a Short USA Road Trip (On a Budget)
If you can’t afford that trip to Paris, France – don’t worry. America has plenty of areas that are beautiful, inspiring, and natural.
Take a road trip to a beautiful location that’s nearby.
Super 8 Motels are my go-to budget hotel.
When you’re there, say hello to the Indian family for me! And remember to not drink the OJ and milk that they’ve left out on the breakfast nook counter for the past 12 hours.
Camping.
This is a great way to save money, but give up comfort. When I was visiting mammoth Cave national park (incredible place by the way), I slept in a campsite for $25.00 and got to hang out in the visitor’s center cafe for free, drinking coffee and enjoying free internet until 11PM. In other words, get creative.
Boondocking.
I do NOT advise that you do this. America has become too dangerous. But if you feel really gutsy, go sleep in your car at truck spots. Boondock in “safe” locations. Download the app to help locate the right spots.