Want to go on more adventures? Whether it be hiking, travel, or trying new things, it really is simpler than you may think to start living a life filled with excitement. It took us a while to really embrace our life as an adventure couple, but prioritizing what was most important allowed us to go for it. Just follow these three steps to have a more adventurous life … you may be surprised where it leads you.
Update: I wrote this when we still lived in a traditional house, worked full-time, and used weekends or vacation time to seek out the adventurous life we craved. Buddy and I never realized that making changes to seek out a life as an adventure couple would lead to a life of full-time travel. See what we are up to now.
1. Prioritize an Adventurous Life
Is that expensive dinner, concert ticket or [insert thing you don't really need] more important than your dream trip?
Is going out drinking worth being hungover on the one day you have open for that hike you've wanted to do?
Is that new season on Netflix, more enjoyable than a weekend road trip to a new place?
Maybe these things are taking priority right now. But all it takes is one decision and a lot of will power to change that. Believe me, we've had to make this adjustment!
A Few Big Adjustments Go a Long Way
Depending on your situation, you may be able to do all these things and still have the time and money to travel, hike, and explore. But we don't. So, we make a conscious effort to prioritize the things in life we enjoy the most! If you are like us and rely on weekends, holidays, and vacation time to go adventuring, having your priorities straight is key.
And I won't lie, I still have days where I hang out in my pajamas, watching Netflix, and eating expensive takeout because I had too much to drink the night before and don't want to move. But 98% of the time, I regret it and wish I could have spent the day outside or trying something new. Being an adventure couple is unsurprisingly addicting!
That being said, we all crave a relaxing day on occasion, so if you really are craving one – go for it. Just don't get stuck on your couch due to poor planning!
2. Save. Save. Save.
As mentioned, making an adventurous life a priority is critical if you want to make it a bigger part of your life – which means making it a budget priority too. Womp. Womp. Womp. Saving may not sound fun, but if you have a big enough motivation it gets easier, we promise!
Save Money.
Obviously, not all adventures cost a ton of money (you could even have a pretty epic adventure for free). But if you are like this adventure couple and travel is a top priority, it is unlikely you will be able to do that for free. So start saving!
Making your coffee at home instead of getting that fancy latte can save you over $1,500 dollars in a year. That is a vacation for sure! I've literally started talking in trip terms. A latte is now a glass of Glühwein at the German Christmas markets. And a movie ticket is a boat ride (or three) in Thailand. Priorities are everything. Seriously.
I financed our two-week campervan road trip in Iceland by working two jobs for eight months! Along with my full-time job, I did contract work at home at night and on weekends. It was TOTALLY worth it. If you want something badly enough, you should be willing to work your ass off for it!
Save Vacation Time.
Saving your vacation time is important too, especially if you only have a small amount – a sad truth for most people working a traditional job in the U.S. Planning vacations around holidays can definitely help make the most of your time off. I get Memorial Day & Labor Day off each year, which happens to be the shoulder season … the perfect time for a trip!
And don't waste your time on things you don't really want to do (the wedding of that cousin you never really liked or that trip your sister keeps trying to guilt you into). Save it for the fun stuff!
If your job doesn't provide much paid time off, seeing what else is out there may be worth a try. Some companies even offer unlimited vacation time! Or maybe you can find a job that allows you to travel more, like working as a freelancer.
But some vacation time is better than none, so don't get too discouraged! Just make it work for you.
Save Up Favors.
Now on to favors … these are great money-savers. Be a friend to make friends, they say.
Offer to watch someone's pet when they are out of town, drive someone to the airport, let someone sleep on your couch when they are in town, etc. Be kind and do good when you can and it is certain to come back to you. And if all else fails, ask! You will be surprised how many people are happy to say yes. Favors can be a huge money-saver, especially when going on a long trip!
P.S. Think you can't travel because of your pets or home responsibilities? Check out TrustedHousesitters. We love this service!
3. Be Creative for a More Adventurous Life
It is all too easy to compare your life with others who seem to be having the time of their lives. But you are where you are for a reason – make the most of it. Deciding to be an adventurer or adventure couple doesn't mean sitting in your house planning out what you want to do for hours on end. An adventurous life takes action!
Get out there and do something!
You may not be able to take your dream trip tomorrow, this year or even in the next five years. But you can find plenty of other options while you are waiting to make it happen!
Start by exploring your own city, look up road trip options for cheap weekend trips, stalk airline deals, visit friends or family, check out off-season deals. There are so many options if you are willing to put in the time to research them. Start by searching a map for nearby cities and Googling “what to do in [city of interest]” then see what comes up. You never know what you may find!
You can also tag along on trips other people are going on, offer to house sit for someone that lives somewhere you want to explore (or join a house sitting website), volunteer or go on mission trips … the opportunities are endless!
We even moved across the country to have more access to new places and a more adventurous life even during our normal work week! We are originally from Florida, but fell in love with Colorado and all the fun opportunities for adventure here. So we planned for over a year to get here. We absolutely love it and it has changed our lives! Always look for opportunities to get closer to your goals.
This is a wonderful, beautiful, exciting, adventurous life – sometimes you just need to shift your focus & make some adjustments to see it! 🙂
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