My Best Advice: BOOK THE TRIP

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Like most peeps, I am ready to put 2016 in the can. It was a good year. I visited many places for the first time, including:

Mmmmagick :)

Mmmmagick 🙂

And I got to return to a few places, like:

I also left New York – finally! – bought a house and moved to Dallas.

Moving into 2017, there’s a simple principle I’ll apply when it comes to booking travel: BOOK THE TRIP.

BOOK THE TRIP

I’ve written before to “Go Go Go.” And BOOK THE TRIP (yes, has to be all caps like I’m screaming at you) is similar. But there’s a shift of intention and mindset.

That means not second-guessing yourself. Not worrying about what if or why. Listening to your instincts and doing something when it feels right.

Too often, I see a cheap fare, or discover a cool trick to book award flights for nearly nothing. And each time, there’s a little voice that says, “Should you really do that?

Next year, that little voice is going to sing a different tune:

book the trip

Mantra

I’m going all Alaska-and-Southwest-y and DAL is 10 minutes up the road from me. I will think nothing of taking quick weekend trips. I’ll book them quickly and liberally, without worrying what might happen.

We each have this life. This one wild and precious life. And once it’s gone, that’s it. I doubt I will regret taking a trip. More likely, I’ll wish I’d taken more and worked less.

Work and people and situations will to have to wait. It sounds selfish – it is – but I’m the only one responsible for making myself happy. Travel makes me happy. And booking trips to new places makes me incredibly happy. More of that, please.

There’s no doubt plans will change. And when it happens, I’ll deal with it, like I always have.

I’m tired on being on other people’s schedules. Of not going when and where I want. And while it won’t be possible to book every trip because of time, or money, or simple logistics, my goal in 2017 is to travel more than ever before.

Bottom line

BOOK THE TRIP is my new mantra. A couple of friends recently asked me a question about a trip beginning with “Should I…?” I interjected with a swift and firm, “Yes. BOOK THE TRIP.”

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the US, more of Europe, and possibly returning to South America (ah, I want to visit Patagonia!) in 2017.

I’m in a good spot. I feel happy. And I’m giving myself permission to follow my bliss. And by far, travel is my biggest passion.

When I don’t know what I want, I’m going to say, “I want to know what I want!,” instead of getting down about it or feeling stuck.

A lot of things are happening in this world right now. But I’m directly responsible for only one person’s happiness: my own.

And on that note, I’d tell you, BOOK THE TRIP.

Where do you want to go in 2017? 

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About Harlan

Just a dude living in Memphis, traveling, and working toward financial independence.

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  1. I think I have phases with my passion of travel. If the USD is strong against a foreign currency (it’s super strong right now against the EUR and GBP) I’ll travel abroad. If the USD is weak, I’ll travel domestic since there’s so much to see here in the usa!

    Happy new year!

    • Totally agree.

      I’m really thinking of doing a lot of domestic travel next year. There are so many pockets of our country that are so worth exploring:

      Northern California
      Bryce Canyon/Zion in southwestern Utah
      Glacier NP
      Alaska (!)
      Upstate NY/Vermont
      Key West
      Yellowstone

      And so much more. We are really spoiled to live in such a huge, beautiful place.

      I’d still like to travel internationally too (already have a Belgium trip planned for May), but we’ll see what shakes out. I’m excited either way!

      Happy New Year, Joey! 🙂

  2. Great post, I 100% agree. We’re looking at Cuba, Peru (to strike Machu Picchu off the bucket list), possibly more of the US, Caribbean, and the rest is TBD. Sometimes destinations just materialize for us on short notice, so we’ll see what happens there. Looking fwd to 2017!

    • Yes yes and yes!!!

      I’d love to visit Cuba this year, too. More to saying yes to those short-notice opportunities!

      This year feels like it’s gonna be a good one.

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