The internet is full of inspiring articles sharing the benefits of traveling. Travel blogs and forums are full of positive articles encouraging you to quit your job, sell everything you own, and see the world – they claim it will change your life.
And I can’t deny the transformative power of travel. Before leaving to travel, she suffered from debilitating anxiety, had daily panic attacks, and was battling an eating disorder. Traveling changed my life, because getting out of my comfort zone regularly was just what I needed to overcome my mental health problems. I can’t deny that traveling is great, but I don’t agree with the thousands of articles that tell you that the solution to every problem is travel.
Here, then, are 7 situations you should probably think twice about before traveling.
1. You are in debt
Traveling can be very affordable if you do it right, but traveling if you are in debt is not the best idea. Instead, focus all your efforts on paying off your debt, and then when you’re free of it, you can use those savings tips you collected to get started on your travels. The only exception to traveling when you are in debt is if you have student loans and are able to pay repayments, defer payments, or haven’t started paying them yet.
2. You cannot afford travel insurance
One of the lines I’ve written the most as a travel writer is: If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. It’s as simple as that. If you end up breaking your back in rural China and have to be airlifted home, you will end up with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and your family will have to take responsibility as well. Get travel insurance.
3. You are struggling with your mental health
Traveling has done wonders for my mental health, but I would not recommend leaving if you have difficulties. I waited until I was able to calm down from the panic attacks and experienced them once a month instead of once a day until I left, and I am so glad I did. I’m not sure I wouldn’t have been strong enough to withstand culture shock and sensory overload if I hadn’t. Wait until your anxiety is controllable before thinking of tackling the world.
4. You have ties at home
Should you travel if you are in a long-term relationship? What if you are married? Or have children? There are ways to keep seeing the world if you have ties, but you need to make sure everyone agrees with it. Traveling is not worth ruining your relationship with your spouse, and you don’t want your children to grow up resenting you for letting them travel.
5. Your career depends on you being there
Traveling will always be there for you, and while I think the best time to travel is right after graduation before you have any ties or commitments, there are many careers that are important to pursue when you are young. If you are a musician, for example, or an athlete, taking time off from your training could hurt your chances of success. If you are in this position, I suggest you work on your career while building your savings to travel in a few years.
