The best time to travel is Now – I said this in 2017, when I first published this post, and it is still so relevant today!
The irony of this post is that I was originally only editing this article to insert into a new one about budget friendly vacations for Nigerian travellers. However, due to its relevance in recent times, I have decided to republish it. And I know the (Nigerian) economy STILL says otherwise, but just hear me out.
First, I believe it’s important to narrow down the audience for this post. If you’re the sort of person who finds themselves wandering around a travel blog, daydreaming about trips they’d love to take, then you may continue reading. And if you’re not, you may also continue reading too 🙂
The best part of this article is that you can just take out the ‘travel’ bit and replace it with whatever you’re passionate about.
What's Covered in this Post
Is There a “Perfect” Time for Travel?
I don’t know if this is a question you’ve ever asked yourself. What I do know is that from interactions I’ve had with several people, there seems to be a perception that there is a “best time” to travel.
It’s the time when you have all the money and the time in the world. It’s when you’re single or when you win the lottery or an all-expense-paid trip around the world.
Do you want to know what the truth is?
"Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you" Click To Tweet“Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it ‘eventually,’ just do it and correct course along the way.”
― Timothy Ferriss, The Four Hour Work Week
So how then do we move from here?
The Best Way to Get Something Done is to Begin
As with travel and everything else one is passionate about, the best way to get something done is to simply begin. You may not have all the time or all the resources you’d like to have but if you can just begin with the little you have, you’ll find that it makes a world of difference.
Don’t wait to explore the ‘big locations’ if you can’t afford to do so yet. Start by exploring your own city, then consider visiting neighbouring cities, states and countries. Be flexible with your destinations.
So you can’t afford to go to Europe just yet? Why not explore places closest to you? Cote d’ Ivoire, for example, has that European feel to it, when you think about it. They speak French (cue France vibes), have the world’s largest basilica (did someone say Vatican City?) and some of West Africa’s nicest beaches.
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest
― Ecclesiastes 11:4
Want a safari but can’t get to Tanzania, South Africa or Kenya? Did you know that Ghana has an amazing wildlife park? Did you also know that Benin Republic’s Pendjari National Park is one of the best National Parks in West Africa? And of course, there is Yankari and Sumu wildlife park here in Nigeria.
The point here is to be flexible with destinations and to make the best use of the resources that you have right now.
Don’t Leave for Tomorrow What Can Be Done Today
If you can afford to travel now, just go ahead and do it. Again, you must bear in mind that conditions are never perfect. You might not have all the time or all the resources but if you can create a reasonable balance, go for it!
As someone who works a full-time job, I often get questions or remarks about how I can afford to travel ‘so much’. I wrote an article about this here but the summary is this: we make out time for what is most important to us. If that important thing is travel, you will make out time for it.
Don't leave for tomorrow, what can be done today Click To TweetDo it now, sometimes ‘Later’ becomes ‘Never’
In 2015, when I decided to take my first solo tour in Europe, the exchange rate jumped from N160 to $1 to about N215 to $1 almost overnight and I almost had a panic attack! When I thought about all the clothes I could get with that money, I almost did a full U-turn back to my country!
But then, I thought about the experience I would be forfeiting, and the fact that I didn’t know when next I’d get the chance to visit the continent again and I decided to go on with it.
Do it now, sometimes 'Later' becomes 'Never' Click To TweetGuess what, this is the year 2023 and the exchange rate never got better. In fact, it got worse. At some point, nearing N800 to $1, which is just outrageous! I am glad that I didn’t put off that opportunity. Even if the exchange rate improved (which I am praying that it does), the time is something I will never get back.
Also, like I have mentioned many times on this blog, that trip kick started this phase of travel in my life and I’m not sure that this blog would even exist if it wasn’t for it.
At the end of the day, all I am trying to do here is to encourage you to live out your passions and dreams NOW. ‘Now’ begins with a shift in mindset. It’s like the Alchemist said,
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Changing your mindset to be more positive is one step closer to ‘NOW’. There are really no perfect conditions. If travelling is a passion of yours, the best time to make it happen is now!
Trip Planning Resources
Book your accommodation: Find accommodation options for any budget on Booking.com
Purchase Travel Insurance: I use SafetyWing for both my travel and visa application needs
Activities: Find fun activities and tours in your destination via Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook Travel
I always love to hear from you and invite you to share your opinion. Is travelling something you’re passionate about? I’m assuming the answer is ‘yes’ since you’re here :). Are you living out this passion? If yes, what has the experience been like? If no, what’s stopping you?
Very true words which will always be relevant. As they say in real estate, the best time to buy a house was yesterday and the 2nd best time is now. This applies to travel too. It’s an epiphany I’m happy I’ve had because I still can’t afford a trip to Europe BUT now I’ve visited close to 100 Jamaican gems and even 1 trip to South America. Start small 🙂
Imagine spending all that time waiting for Europe and missing out on absolutely amazing gems in Jamaica and Peru! Europe and other continents will definitely still happen and you have had wonderful adventures already and that’s a win!
It’s 2020 and this is still so relevant! Thanks Amarachi.
Thank you, Jade!
Tomorrow is not promised. I love travelling it honestly makes you grow as a person. I spent most of 2017 in West Africa (Senegal- Guinea Bissau and Nigeria)
http://www.raetalks.co.uk
Love, love, Love to travel. It spices up the mundane pattern of my every day life. I love the Alchemist’s quote about the universe rooting for our plans. It’s sooooo true. ❤️❤️❤️ (Just putting it out here Universe: Japan 2018 😘🙃)
Haha! That’s the way to go!
Absolutely agree! All my “Laters” never happened so I learn to never trust Later. Now is it! Doing my best to travel now. I do my best to to put aside funds for travel each month. So so worth it
Thanks for your comment, Asake. I’m also thinking of what I pushed off for later and how they quickly became ‘never’. Certainly need this reminder every once in a while. Yaay to travelling now :), excited to see where you’ll be visiting.
You’re absolutely correct, and this quote says it all: “Conditions are never perfect. ‘Someday’ is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you.”
PS: I really like your website! x
Thank you Loriade! You have a beautiful website too 🙂
This is pretty much my mantra in life…travel when you can. This exchange rate is currently affecting my Europe and Asia revisit plans…the cost is just too much.
Great post always
I know right, I hope it stabilizes soon, honestly. Thanks Lara.
I’m just going to keep this article close and insert other aspects of my life asides traveling. It’s also a great remedy for procrastinating.
I am going to do the same too! hehe
Very true indeed. Thankfully you were able to visit Europe when you did and I hope you get to revisit again. It’s so amazing how an event can change our entire lives and even make some of us become bloggers just because of an experience. Always thrilling to me. Thanks for always inspiring us through your blog!
I nominated you for an award, hopefully, you can answer the questions and follow the rules. See the link here: http://zinnyfactor.com/2017/10/28/liebster-award-11-random-facts/
I hope so too. It’s a 2018 dream and I’m staying positive that it will happen then 🙂
Thank you, Zinny and of course, thanks for the nomination as well!
Daily reminder, not just for travel but for pretty much everything I’m passionate about, I have to remind myself that the time is now even though that’s usually easier said than done. But like your example with the exchange rate, you can never control the future, you don’t even know if you’ll be there to have the experience.
It was a tweet with the same premise of this blog post that finally got me to start my travel blog. I think its a super important message to share!
P.S The Alchemist is one of my favorite books!
Exactly. We can only hope/plan for the best but in the end, we have no absolute control over the future. Thanks for sharing!
Travelling is definitely a passion of mine, albeit new.
I haven’t really done much travelling and I have constantly blamed it on finances and fear that I have no clue how to go to a new place solo, but I am working to change this up (2018 goals, anyone?)
Thank God for your Europe trip oh, I can’t really imagine not having TWAP to refresh 😂.
Thank you for the reminder that the time is now!
P. S. Still loving the pictures here (seen some on the ‘gram).
http://www.desireuba.wordpress.com
Thanks, Desire.. you’re certainly off to a great start travel-wise. Enjoyed reading your post about LCC. 2018 goals here too, hehe