Last Updated: 11/12/20 | November 12th, 2020
Motivated people can achieve anything they set their minds to. But how does one stay motivated, especially to travel, when you are busy working and living life while your family and friends disparage your ideas, you’re overwhelmed planning your trip, or maybe just burnt out from being on the road already?
Motivation is not an unlimited wellspring but a battery that needs to be kept charged. All too often, life gets in the way and hinders our plans or throws us off track. If we don’t pay attention, that battery becomes depleted and our travel goals fall to the wayside. All of a sudden, years have gone by and you’re still nowhere near reaching the travel goals you’ve dreamed about.
For example, my trip to Iceland had been years in the making. I always talked about it but it kept getting delayed because “stuff came up.”
It wasn’t until I finally said “enough” and booked my ticket right there that the trip became a reality.
And it’s not just the waiting to travel that requires motivation. You can burn out and get off track while on the road too. It’s something that happens to a lot of long-term travelers.
Years ago, I burnt out when I was on the road. To recover, I went to Cambodia to recharge my batteries. I stayed in one place, watched movies, read books. Alone. No wandering or sightseeing. Just rest. It was relaxing, and one day I woke up and said “I’m ready to go again.”
When you plan your trips, you don’t think about the long boring hours on a bus, the delays, the annoying airports, dealing with snorers in hostel dorms, fending off tours and scammers, and all the other things that will suck the energy and joy out of your experience.
Eventually, you need to stop and recharge your batteries. To is stay in one place, watch Netflix, and relax.
Whether you’re planning a trip or already on the road, it’s important to find ways to stay motivated. Today, I want to share seven tips on how to stay motivated to travel — whether you are planning your trip or feeling a little burnt out on the road:
1. Hold yourself accountable
The best thing you can do to stay focused is to be held accountable. Being accountable to others will help make sure that you don’t fall off the wagon. They will help keep you focused on your goal, and the social pressure to stay on track will provide some extra motivation to follow through.
Whether that is betting money, having someone check in on you, keeping track of goals, or having someone help you plan, just being held accountable will force you to stay focused, even on those days you don’t feel like it!
We have a great group of people on The Nomadic Network forums that can help cheer you on toward your goals.
Or use an anticharity like Stickk, which will donate money to your most hated cause if you don’t follow through.
Accountability ensures action and can force you to follow through when a lack of energy would otherwise hold you back.
Here are some other apps that might help you hold yourself accountable:
- Coach.me – Personal coaching to help you stay on track and build better habits.
- GoalsOnTrack – Goal-setting and personal-productivity app that guides you through the process of setting (and reaching) goals.
READ MORE:
- How to Stop Making Excuses When it Comes to Travel
- 13 Non-Travel Books That Changed My Life
- How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mindset
2. Devote time
Stuff always seems to come up, doesn’t it? Sure, I was planning to visit Iceland in May and then suddenly, May was here and I was busy.
Or maybe you decide today’s the day you’re going to plan your trip but then you forget you have laundry to do. My solution? Pick a day and time you are normally not busy (i.e., on Facebook) and devote that time to planning your trip.
Make it a consistent part of your schedule and develop a habit so that it doesn’t feel like a task you “have” to do; it becomes just something you do automatically.
Set aside thirty minutes each day to focus on travel. Turn it into part of your everyday routine. This time can be used to do research or read books and blogs. This will help you stay inspired and interested while helping you plan your next adventure. Schedule it into your calendar so you never let the day get away from you. It’s in your calendar. You can’t skip it.
3. Read travel blogs
Reading about other travelers’ adventures can show you that it is easier to travel than you thought, provide advice and tips on the art of travel, and teach you about places you’ve never heard of. One day you’ll get sick of living vicariously through others, and you’ll go out and create your own travel stories. They will show you that yes, travel is realistic, practical, and financially possible.
Here is a list of my current favorite travel blogs that can help you out.
4. Read travel books
After I finished Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams, a book about his epic adventure through Peru, I was so motivated to see Peru that I ordered a guidebook to the country.
While reading travel blogs is great, travel books are even better because they cut deep into a destination and open it up in a way a short blog post can’t.
And in that same vein, be sure to read books about the destination you are visiting so you can get a deeper understanding of the place. You can’t understand the location’s present if you don’t understand its past.
Here are a few travel books to help get your inspiration flowing:
- Tracks, by Robyn Davidson
- The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca, by Tahir Shah
- A Year of Living Danishly, by Helen Russell
- In A Sunburned Country, by Bill Bryson
- Looking for Transwonderland, by Noo Saro-Wiwa
- Ten Years a Nomad, by me!
If you like to read and want a monthly suggestions, I have a monthly book club where I send 3-5 suggestions each month. Come join!
5. Learn a language
Join a class and pick up a language you might use on the road. Once you’ve started learning the language, you’ll hate to waste your new skill. And the only way to use it is to travel to where they speak it! Here are some apps and resources to help you learn:
And here are some blog posts from language experts I know to get you started:
6. Take a break
If you’ve been on the road for a while, you’ve probably burnt out a bit. Travel isn’t always rainbows and unicorns, and spending a lot of time on the road can lead to burnout. That’s going to sap your motivation and might even have you thinking about home.
It did for me once (I got burnt out on my first trip and went home early), and the second I got home I face-smacked myself and said, “What was I thinking!”
I learned my lesson and found that a much better way to get your mojo back is to take a break. Instead of moving on to your next destination, stay where you are for as long as you need.
Watch TV.
Work at your hostel.
Sit by the beach every day.
Whatever relaxes you, do that.
7. Meet other travelers
Sometimes it can be hard to stay motivated if the people around you aren’t supportive of your desire to travel. If you’re struggling, here are some suggestions:
- Hang out on travel forums
- Attend virtual events
- Use the “Hangouts” app from Couchsurfing to meetup with locals and travelers near you
- Find like-minded travelers on Meetup.com
Additionally, tune out the naysayers who don’t believe long-term travel is possible because you’ll see from all these people encouraging you that it really is.
An encouraging environment is a better environment! And a community of travelers telling you aren’t crazy and this is possible will drown out all the naysayers in the world.
If you’re like me, you go through bouts of motivation. You get super excited about a trip and then your mind moves on to something else, or the challenge of planning saps some of your motivation and you put it off until later.
But there’s only today, so use these tips to help stay motivated about your next trip.
Because one day, you’ll run out of tomorrows.
How to Travel the World on $50 a Day
My New York Times best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off the beaten path, save money, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC guide the “bible for budget travelers.”
Click here to learn more and start reading it today!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Need to book your trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. The are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Lyndsay
I need these! Sometimes I think what’s happening, should I just need a change? Or just change my travel style? I know I still have a lot of places to go to but the motivation to go or the excuses became more powerful than my will to travel.
Anyway, thank you!
Ofelia
Hello Lynsday, I am in the same situation, I need a change, and the excuses come one by one everyday. But I have a new plan, every month check my options and take one. This month for example I Take a Course near Cancún, Quintana Roo. In Chetumal, the Capital City. Warm Regards
monica paz
yes i know what you mean, sometimes we feel overwhelmed with the job, and be so tired sometimes that we rather lay in the couch, to watch a movie and forget all about office, just to think in move to fill baggage and think where we could go, mmmhhh, sometimes i return more exhausted form a trip, and thinking about if would be better stay home sleeping. But sincerely, i love to meet new people and places, and eat delicious regional meals so, when someone asks me out for a trip, i definitely accept !!!!, and more if it is free for me,lol.
elizabeth
I definitely agree that reading lots of travel blogs is great inspiration. Nothing like good old-fashioned jealousy to keep you motivated!
Really good tips – thanks,
Rachel
Reading my bloglovin’ feed every day is enough inspiration for me for a lifetime! haha
Katie
I definitely agree that reading lots of travel blogs is great inspiration. Nothing like good old-fashioned jealousy to keep you motivated!
I agree with you about burnout as well. Fortunately, I’ve never had this with travel (maybe because I’ve never done a long enough trip), but I’ve had it a fair few times with writing. After all, we’re only human. We can’t keep going at full speed for ever without allowing ourselves a chance to rest!
Really good tips – thanks, Matt. 🙂
Hannah
Thanks for the tips, and we are taking a break from traveling starting tomorrow. We have been on the road nonstop since June 2013, we are headed back home to the USA for 4 weeks. We are burnt out and just need a break!
Mike
Reading travel blogs, especially your’s, really motivated me. My dream of moving abroad and traveling was almost dead until I rediscovered travel blogs. I was once again motivated to get out and explore the world.
In fact, I handed in my two weeks notice at my work today and move to Spain in just over one month! I cannot wait to follow my dreams!
Shaun
Great list and tips. I find putting your situation into perspective anytime I am feeling down or home sick on the road. ie what would my life be like back in a cubicle? All of a sudden my rainy day doesn’t feel so grey.
Katie
Great tips Matt! I also regretted going home early when I was travelling through the UK with my Dad a number of years ago. I missed out on Ireland because I was itching to get back to London and my friends. Staying in one place for a while to recharge your batteries definitely helps but I find it hard to sit still most of the time and worry I am missing out on activities and places. i am definitely getting better at going with the flow the more I travel (and the older I get)
Anish Mahendra
I think no matter in which situation are in its important to have the courage inside. This is the single most important point. After traveling to Australia first time in my life now I have this firm believe. On that time I was in a situation where I never even dream to to travel. However that happened and that’s life! Some time you just cat listen to any body, you just have to listen inside.
Thanks for the nice post Matt
Scott
“You can’t understand a location’s present if you don’t understand its past.” Great point, and an often overlooked fact about travel- it’s not all about what you see in front of you, but understanding how what you see came to be!
Joe Achman
Like any fun (or not so fun) activity or lifestyle, you can burn yourself out on it. When I’m gearing up for a trip, and all the practicing financial discipline, or planning/putting things in order, starts to wear me out, it really helps to take a break. Step back from the stressful activities for a short time, reset yourself mentally, and remind yourself exactly why you love traveling.
Drew
Travel blogs are the best! I like searching out a particular cuisine in my city that will be traditionally expected in the country I will be traveling too soon. Even though the meal I am having is great, I can bet my money that the real deal will be that much better.
Brandon
Whoa, what perfect timing. Started to feel burned out, so we extended our Indonesian visa and decided on a month in Ubud. Feeling better already!
Kristen
This came at the perfect time, Matt! I’m feeling super burnt out – and it’s only been 1.5 months of travel…12 to go! Yikes! I’ve learned a lot of lessons so far, namely, limit time in cities with kids…the constant noise, public transport issues, and crowds are really wearing on the kids…which becomes exhausting to me….so we’re headed to Slovenia in a few days to chill by a lake, partake in some water activities and some running around in nature and lots of catching up on our blog! Hopefully we can find a hostel or farm stay that will fit the bill! Thanks for the reminders that it’s normal to need a break (even if I perhaps need one more often than others)!
mitchell teplitsky
Hi Matt – Mark Adam’s book is great – we met up in Cusco when he was researching it. I’m a doc filmmaker who made the movie Soy Andina (about a New York dancer who journeys to Peru to find her roots and explore the amazing world of Peruvian culture), who splits time between New York City and Peru, and if you are really thinking of coming to Peru, am happy to connect! I’m in NYC at the moment….great blog you have by the way, been following for about 6 months.
Yeeling
Great points. Taking a break is so important! Every time I feel burnt out from traveling, I ended up not enjoying the places and just secretly hope to go home (and then regretting it after going home) so now I’ve learned that we should probably take as many breaks as we like.
Kyle Madruga
Great list and I couldn’t agree more with learning a new language. Living in China the more Chinese I learn the more I enjoy daily life and the more opportunities I get. People really open up to you and respect you more for embracing their culture.
Jane Clements
Good advice Matt. I am currently recharging my batteries in Cartagena. I have been on the road for quite a while now and initially I felt guilty about pausing but now know how important it is if I want to continue and not burn out.
I am in a smal family run hostel and so far nobody else has booked into the other beds in my dorm so for as long as I am sleeping well at night and have the personal space for very little money I shall stay here for a few more days
Gordon
Thanks, I do feel washed out before I travel or even during. Your advice helps.
I have been to France Bastille day Carcassonne , France Lot Dordoign area and am off to Portugal, rip curl surf fest, peniche. Then Berlin November (never been) and last Marrakech (never been).
The power of cheap flights, not one cost me over a hundred pounds. If you wish more info let me know.
How did you like Iceland.
Bianca
I’ve recently started planning a trip to Southeast Asia and my main concern is keeping the motivation to follow through. I have a terrible habit of coming up with great life changing ideas that just go away after a few weeks. Well, I want to stick with this one. I have a year until the date I chose to leave and I’m starting my journey in South Korea so I can visit my family first and then going to Thailand. My question is, do you think it would be a good idea to book a plane ticket now, 11 months out where prices are half of what they are, to keep myself motivated to stick with my plan?
Sima
I love these tips and the links are great. I think taking a break is huge. Sometimes the go-go life is tiring and taking sometime to just go somewhere and work for a bit is a great way to gather your sanity. I also love the tips about learning a language. It’s really important to learn a few key phrases. It makes a huge difference in staying motivated and getting to know the culture.
Lisa
Oh Matt, when I read your articles, I always feel like I’m reading my best friend. Your way of putting things is so relatable. I love your style. And yes taking time for yourself to put things in order in your head is super important. No matter how you do it (for you, it’s binge watching movies and relaxing (actually same for me as well :), for others it would be calling home and talking with family members, etc), taking a break from whatever is causing you stress is not emphasized enough. Our society (and technology) pushes us to look and act a certain way, but I feel like it’s most often portrayed as fake. Nobody is perfect and when you talk about it (like you did here), it makes everybody feel like they can relate. So thank you 😉
Kathleen Pacheco
Little by little we are traveling. Next month? To see Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, and then the rest of our time in Ireland. Whole trip? About a month. In Oct. we’ll be in Fla. for a conference and then a cruise. It’s so much fun! We also have a website set up, and we’re learning how to work Word Press. We love reading your tips and tricks, and your advice is amazing! We’re celebrating our 71 and 72 birthdays next month, too. Happy trails! Thanks Matt.
Adam
Great insights and advice. Anything we do full time tends to become stale which is why it’s important to try new things and discover new places.
Thanks for sharing Matt.
Adam
Jayla Rae
Love how this list can still apply even when you’re already abroad teaching English… great stuff!
Brian Ferret
Like others, thanks for the tidbits. This is probably one of the better lists nomads can review each day to stay motivated.
It gets lonely sometimes, so it helps to stay mentally active and thoughtful of the next thing to do.