Last Updated: 01/06/2020 | January 6, 2020
As the sun rises on a new year, we look out on the horizon and commit to be a better version of ourselves. This year we will travel more.
We ponder the exotic locations we hope to find ourselves in.
We think of the adventures we’ll go on and the people we’ll meet.
We begin to formulate plans, research trips, and save money.
But, as the year progresses, most of us will abandon those dreams, forever pushing them off as life throws us curveballs and seems to want to get in our way.
You’ll find a reason why today just isn’t the right day.
“Tomorrow,” we’ll say to ourselves. “Today isn’t perfect, and I just have too many things to do. Now is not the right time.”
The right time is when we have more money, more time off, or when things aren’t so “crazy.”
Then we’ll be able to travel. We just need the stars to align a little more.
But here’s a secret: there’s never going to be a right time to travel.
The idea that the stars will align and you’ll find the perfect day to step out of your door and into the world is fantasy.
Today might not be the perfect day — but neither is tomorrow.
Tomorrow, you’ll find another excuse why you can’t go.
Tomorrow, there will still be more bills to pay.
Tomorrow, there still won’t be “enough” money.
Tomorrow, there will still be someone’s wedding or birthday party to attend.
Tomorrow, there will still be more planning to do.
Tomorrow, people you know will still sow the seeds of doubt in your head.
Tomorrow, you’ll still worry about all the bad stuff that might happen to you.
Tomorrow, you still won’t know if you’re making the right decision.
Tomorrow, you will still second-guess yourself.
Tomorrow, something else will come up and you’ll say to yourself, “Today isn’t the right day. Let’s try again tomorrow.”
Tomorrow will never be perfect.
Because there is no such thing as perfection.
The hardest part of any journey is stepping out the door. And one of the key components to making that first step easier is to understand that the stars will never align and there will never be the right moment to travel.
You just have to go. You have to leap. You have to trust yourself that it will all work out.
Because it will.
If I had waited for the perfect day when my friend said he would join (he never did) or when I had just a bit more money, I’d still be home in my cubicle job.
Back then, I was constantly worried I hadn’t saved enough money. I was constantly worried I didn’t have the skills to survive on the road.
There was always a reason to put off my trip.
But sometimes, you just have to take the leap and go for it. Ships aren’t mean to stay in a harbor. You weren’t meant to stay at home and wonder “what if?”
Because one day, you’ll run out of tomorrows.
And you’ll be filled with nothing but sadness and regret.
So stop waiting.
Stop making excuses.
It doesn’t matter if you can only save a dollar per day. Just start. Action begets action.
Forget about tomorrow. Everything will work out.
Your bills will disappear when you cancel the services that generate them.
You’ll make more friends on the road than you could ever imagine.
And if it doesn’t work out, you can always come home.
The world is full of possibilities.
And you’re capable of doing great things.
But only if you start today!
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 called 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:
- SafetyWing (best for nomads)
- World Nomads (most comprehensive)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Ready 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. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Gladys
what a great way of putting it… yes, tomorrow is never perfect to travel. today is 🙂 happy new year!
rick be
When I left my job of 20 years & got 9 weeks severance-I was afraid I’d find a similar one so I took my first trip to Europe. I like to say,it didn’t turn out that way;
I haven’t had a steady job since,but have seen 60 countries.
Aween
Wow ! amazing. Last time I always think off when is the right time to start travelling. Then I said to myself, if I keep thinking about it and didnt do something, I wouldnt go anywhere. So I challenge myself to go for a solo trip over the weekend as a kick start.
Now I’m addicted to it !
Andrew Legere
Amen Matt,
I love this! I was in the same situation, although working for an airline and travelling for a couple years, I was always “to in debt” or has lose ends, so I could never just leave home and travel…
A few months ago I decided it had been long enough. Made plans to rent a friends spare room in the Caribbean, sold the few things I owned, sold my car, put notice in at work a couple months prior to the day I planned on leaving… and now that day is next week…
So all that is still going through my head. Money, where I am going, second guessing my decision… The whole works,,, However its so worth it!
So stop waiting! Love it! Great post!
Brian
Well, if you paid off your debt, bravo. The world is yours. If not, and this goes for others too, then the decision to spend money towards consumption instead of paying off interest-accumulating debt needs a deep soul-searching reevaluation.
Monk
I do agree with Brian. I do not regret a single time I chose travel over paying off debt, but I was also >25 years old. I am now a prisoner to my debt, because I literally cannot afford to travel outside of a 100 mile radius because of my high monthly payments. Again, I do not regret anything, so there’s something to be said for that, but I also am comfortable with my decision to pay off my debt before any more destination vacations. I only have a year left, too! Then I’ll be off on new adventures, picking up right where I left off.
Point being, if you have NEVER travelled for the fun of it, just do it, because you may not even be here tomorrow. But, if you have travelled a lot and are now in a pit of debt, and if you know deep down inside that it is not a good decision to make travel plans at this very moment, (and it will be a very obvious deep, gut feeling), then listen to that, too. Debt has caused me endless anxiety and depression, so I know in my heart that it is not worth living like this anymore until I have caught up with my previous spending patterns from traveling. I have learned from my mistakes, though, and will travel within my means in the future, which will in turn make for an even more enjoyable experience. (Because literally the only thing I didn’t love about traveling was the constant anxiety over whether I could afford the trip at all, because honestly, I couldn’t! Imagine how much better it will be without that fear!)
Good luck to everyone struggling with this issue out there! Just see it through to the end, and then follow your heart wherever it leads you!
Monk
I meant to say <25 haha. All my big traveling was between 17-24.
rick be
I’ve been to Mexico many times but when my PC showed a flt. from BDL to CUN for $280 RT,I knew God wanted me to go again.
Joe Flanagan
I couldn’t agree with this more. You never know how many more tomorrow’s you actually have.
rick be
I live,one day at a time.
Abby
So, so beautiful. Just wanted I needed to kick off 2012 right!
Henry
Going … going … gone …!
It helped that I started my year of RTW/travel on Christmas Eve by leaving my country of residence for the last five years, and ending back in North America on Christmas Day.
Thanks for your post, Matt!
Justin McClelland
I totally needed to hear this today. I just got a text from a friend that invited me to Costa Rica at the end of February. I now am going to do all that is necessary to make that trip happen. Thx
NomadicMatt
Great. Costa Rica is a great place too. You’ll have a great time.
tunimaal
This is a simple but great article. All my friends are envying me about my world tour, so when I tell them just do it it’s not that difficult they always answer: “Yes but I can’t, I have this or this or this”…..I think it’s more because they are afraid about jumping in a new way of life
Ben
My dad used to say all the time… “tomorrow never comes”.
NomadicMatt
That was going to be the original title of this post.
Fem
So true, so true. I did not want to end up wishing I had gone when I had the chance instead of waiting for a better moment. This is the best moment. Hence, I am going 🙂 Now. (well, in 3 weeks actually, but that’s still ‘now’)
Rica
Thanks for this inspiring post Matt! I have a question though, do you always have a back-up plan whenever you go out there?
NomadicMatt
I have a bit of savings in case I need to come home.
Bianca
So true!
There are always more important, more grown up things to spend your money on. But those things will still be there if and when you come home.
So many people wait until retirement to travel when they could have spent all of their life having adventures. Rather than waiting for some magical day in the future when everything is worked out perfectly just do it now!
NomadicMatt
Why wait to you wil retire? By then you’ll be old and decrepit. At least I will given how hard I live.
Jeroen
You have 3 phases in live:
– Phase 1: You don’t have money, but you have time and energy
– Phase 2: You don’t have time, but have money and energy.
– Phase 3: You don’t have energy, but have money and time.
Try to mix them.
Phase 1: Travelling gives you life lessons, which help you in your carreer.
Phase 2: Money can be swopped for time, so do it. Don’t fall into the pitfall of comparing your life with someone else his live (I also like to have such a house, etc..).
Phase 3: Enjoy the things wherefor less energy is needed. If you started travelling young, you already did the things that cost a lot of energy (like extreme stuff).
Suzi
This is so true and exactly what I said when we finally bit the bullet and actually did it – and when we did it? no regrets whatsoever!
There’s always a reason NOT to do it, find the reason to JUST DO IT!
If you want something to change, you have to be prepared to change something, and don’t mistake the edge of the rut for the horizon!
John
Inspiring post. Thanks Matt. My thoughts are that a lot of the people who come up with these excuses don’t actually want to travel, or certainly don’t want to prioritize it. There is nothing wrong with prioritizing money towards houses, cars, etc., but the excuses are an easier way of explaining lack of travel rather than saying, ‘I’d rather have a house.’
Katie
Thanks for the inspiration. We are trying to plan a vacation for April with our now 16-month old daughter and every one I look at seems so difficult with a toddler! I feel like the timing will never be right, although it’s good now because my husband is working from home finally. Love your site!
Nikki
i am an avid fan of your site esp since after my last month-long trip to Thailand I’ve decided to move there and start my world adventure. i don’t have a plan really and don’t know what’ll happen but know i have to go. i came home to sell my condo, sell all my belongings and make a few dollars and each day that passes a little more doubt creeps in, one more thing i feel i should “be here for” comes up etc..i found your post on the exact day an unexpected bill hit that’s wiping out a lot of my “travel reserve” and i was starting to think i should push off the date or maybe it wasn’t the “smartest” idea. your entry reminded me that there never will be a good time, tomorrow is always tomorrow and the feeling i have when i travel, the person i really am will never be realized here sitting behind a desk. i’ve already waited too long in my life to make this jump. thank you, thank you for speaking right to me. you are an inspiration and my hero as of late. hope to meet you someday
Turner
well put Matt. I always get seem to get pre-trip “anxiety”, thinking “Well…I am just not quite ready yet” or I “have to do this one last thing” and before I know it, it is 4 months later in the US before my next travel stint. My NY resolution was to end this. Just go. You can buy it on the road. You can set it up on the road. You can phone them on the road. Jumping is the hard part, but the most worthwhile.
Cheers,
Turner
Chris
Inspiring post mate.
If I read enough of these posts, maybe I’ll actually pull my thumb out and go somewhere :-p
Mercedes
Wow. so true! Now is the right time. I am studying abroad for the 2nd time, and I know too many people that said they didn’t have time to. I’d rather graduate a semester or two later and have this amazing experience. Take the plunge, you won’t regret it 🙂
Eugene
Cool post! It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland where the Queen of Hearts says to Alice that she can have “jam tomorrow and jam yesterday but never jam today.” Dammit, I want jam today!
I got tired of talking about going back to Thailand “one day” for a holiday and spent a tax rebate I got in November on plane tickets for my wife before I could think of something more “sensible” to do with it. Now my tomorrow has turned into April.
From the other comments it sounds like your words are turning into other people’s actions. Nicely done.
Aj
You couldn’t be more right, sometimes you just gotta put all the “what if’s” to the side and grab the bull by the horns! Congrats by the way, for being recognized as a top travel blog. Just see the piece about you now!
Kim
Great mantra to live by! Sometimes you just have to pull the trigger when it come to traveling and watch what unfolds. Every trip is worth the risk!
Tom Summerfield
Great post Matt!
I know so many people that just TALK about doing things (especially travelling).
This world needs less talking and more doing!
Eric
For over 12 years of my adult life it was those exact excuses that kept me from ever going anywhere aside from the rare weekend outing. Then one day I sucked it up and went. Baby steps mind you,2 week car trip with my young sons (4,8,12),just the “guys”,and ya know what? The world didn’t fall apart, everyhing was just as I left it. A small step and getting past the “obsticals”(I put inmy own way)and in the 1 years since I’ve covered 30 of the states and over 25 contriesmany with “the guys”. “tomorrow is never perfect” but that’s why today is.
Eric
AAAAgh! I hate my keyboard! it’s “15 years since” not 1 years. the spellings and run ons are totaly my doing though. Cheers
Duncan
Matt
I think some people say ‘you are running away’ when they are just jealous you are deciding to follow something that makes you happy.
I am certainly keen to shun these naysayers and follow the dream …
Duncan
Tanned
Travel change people and will change the face of the world!
Sometimes news are scary and people prefer to settle but they don”t know how you feel to travel!
Deborah
Hi! I really like your website. It is beautifully designed and everyone can relate to your website. What you have written is very meaningful and so true. At times we tend to postpone the things we could do right now to tomorrow. Life is to short to keep on saying that tomorrow we will do this and that. We never know when our life might end and then we will look back and say that we have not done everything we wanted to do just because we were scared. Like Shakespeare once said: ” Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”
So we should enjoy it by doing such things for tomorrow we never know if it never comes…
Krisabele N. Ricamonte
The hardest thing about the first backpacking trip I did, was deciding to go or not go because I was worrying with random things about that time. But I’m glad I decided to get on the plane, because I discovered a lot about myself during that trip.
Marilynn
I am not a vagabond nomadic traveler. I have traveled in my life and done things others said were going to get me raped or killed, like driving the Baja in a 73 bug back in 98. I lost my husband of 45 years in June. Living half the year in Mexico and the other half in the States and having seen Europe gives me more perspective than many. Also, perhaps being a senior makes things different for me. But the same thing applies, you have to say GO and than do it. Being older it is important for me to get going NOW, before it is too late. I will have 2 months in Europe, some preplanned, some unplanned. Suddenly single is sad, a tad scary and freeing, I have no one holding me back and no one I have to please, just me. Get going before you miss life itself, I am running away. I am running away from fear, I am running away from becoming old before I JUST DO IT.
Emily
100% true – I spent 4 years waiting for tomorrow – what a waste of my life!!! Proud to say I finally lived for today and have now been on the road for 18 months 😀 best thing I ever did!
Pam
Matt…
your posts are so inspiring. I am exited about my first long term trip, and when I read your encouragement words, I know that I made a great choice to go out to see the world and experience more.
Carlotta
Maaaaaaaattt, I was one of the “maybe one day” team players but you have helped me change the way I see my life now. I’ve started a new business that will afford me more time to go here and there and everywhere. Going to Iceland next month. And China in May. Never been to any of those places. I’ve lost a dull life and gained a very exciting one. Thanks for inspiring me so much!!! Love from Italia X
NomadicMatt
I’m so happy to hear that! Enjoy your travels! Send photos!
Laura Bruckner
I can’t say I haven’t traveled. I’ve been to the British and U.S. Virgin Islands twice, Aruba, Mexico twice; St. Maarten, Canada; almost through every state, and most of those were before I was 20 and with my parents. I continue to travel the U.S., but have been wanting to go back to the BVI for the past 35 years. I sent an email to my siblings and cousin last week; told them I was going on a sailing charter summer of 2015 with or without them. Guess what – they are all in! We will be ages 56 through 67!Now I am committed and feel so much better! Yes, it’s going to be expensive; I don’t do frugal traveling. So maybe I’ll have $20k less to live on in my retirement. I can live with that. And after that trip I’m going to Hawaii, where I missed my chance 22 years ago when pregnant with my youngest daughter, and because of a minor complication, was afraid to leave the U.S. Thanks Matt, your sight reminds me that yes, tomorrow might be too late, so I’m gonna do it now!
Joanne Joseph
This is every bit as true today as when you first wrote it – maybe even more so. I agree 100% with you. Just DO it!
By the way, we were in Iceland just a month ahead of you. Our evening excursion to see the aurora borealis got cancelled due to bad weather. I’m so glad you got to experience it and look forward to seeing more of your pictures. The one you posted yesterday or today was amazing.
Ethan Llemit
I stumbled upon this 2012 post of yours from your recent update in your Facebook. I must say it gave me conviction to pursue my goal for this new year – travelling. Though i work long hours in an office, i firmly believe that i will find ways to explore other places if i focus on this goal of mine. Thanks, Matt. May you continue to inspire people to believe that there’s never the right time to travel and widen their horizons.
Heather
Inspiring post. Thanks for that, Matt!
And nice photo of someone jumping into Crater Lake, as well. Was that you? If not, be sure to make a detour on your way through Oregon in May. It is truly spectacular. Looking forward to seeing you at your book tour stop at Powell’s.
Micayla
This is spot on. I have lived by the motto of “just go” for a while now and it has yet to fail me now. We make mistakes, travel at “bad times” or miss important holidays, but the beauty of traveling is that it is a constant learning process. No matter where you go, when you go, whether a good or bad experience, it is always an “experience”, and to me that is way more important than suppressing myself into an “average lifestyle”.
I had heard about your blog in the past, friends have told me to check it out because I would be able to relate. I am glad I finally did. Keep doing you!
Jacquelyn
Thanks for this! I need a kick in the butt. I’ve not left Canada since 2005! I had lived and worked in Asia for close to 4 years, but came home to build a career and a home. Now that I’ve accomplished that it’s time for me to get back out there, and I find myself planning amazing trips and then cancelling them due to other costs or reasons. So I’ve just socked away more money into my savings account and will keep my eyes peeled for a flight sale to C.A. for this February!!!
Pat
I feel sorry for those that do not seize the day and make the most of this life. There is too much to see and do in this world, so travel should be at the forefront of each person’s yearly financial planning and aspirations.
Great perspective – always appreciative of the insights.
JC
Thanks for your post ! I was waiting the good time during 5 years… Everyday i was asking me why i’m still here and i do not travel…
I think we should stop procrastinating with major decisions. I’m much happier today.
Fabio Rosado
Couldn’t agree more with this post. We postpone our dreams because we are tired, stressed, hungry. Because we don’t have enough money or enough time.
Our dreams remain on hold until that perfect time comes. Just, it never does.
You have to keep that famous slogan in mind: “Just do it” your perfect day might not come, but you can get closer to your dreams if you give small steps towards them.
Nisha
Indeed. I always feel that tomorrow will be just like today, with even less time! Now is the only correct answer especially for travel. There are so many factors for that:
1. Life always gets busier. Think about it from school days. Life is never getting to get easier 😀
2. As you grow, responsibilities keep growing. Job, family, kids. More reasons to keep postponing the travel dreams.
3. In this hour of globalization, places/cities, everything is getting more similar to each other every passing day. To experience the different cultures, sooner you go, the better.
4. Easiest reason: World will only get more expensive with time.
Tammy
When I was 50, I decided to take off and see the world. I sold my home, all my belongings and put my small at home business on hold. At 51 I strapped on a backpack and left. I traveled for 353 days to 24 countries and visited 112 cities and I did it alone. It was the experience of a lifetime!
Pete
4 years later and this post is still perfectly relevant – maybe even timeless. Didn’t get a chance to read it before I quit my job and went to Asia this year, but definitely would have helped the process along!! Haha Thanks, Matt.
Brianna
5 years later and here I am reading this and trying to hype myself up!!! My friends and I have found out that….it’s so easy to GO, but we’re bound by societal expectations. At our age, we should be studying hard and preparing for a career outside of college. But I find myself wanting to GO. Hopefully, this is the year.
Katelyn
It’s now 2017 and this post still rings so true. It’s why I’ve booked a holiday for Easter and I’m in the process of booking another for September.
Tomorrow, I still won’t know what my job will be in the summer.
Tomorrow, I still won’t know where I’ll be living.
But I know I’ll be going on holiday. When life gets me down, I look to my next adventure. And suddenly I smile (which creeps all the other grumpy people out!)
It’s also why I’ve just started my blog – to remind myself to travel, to explore, and just do it!
Wes Pearce
This rings so true! It’s so easy to keep saying “Oh I’ll do this in the fall…or I’ll visit there next year…” when we don’t even know how long we’ll be around on the planet. Time to travel everywhere we want to go …now 🙂
Jane
This is so true! …Except now really doesn’t seem like the right time to travel because of coronavirus. I was planning for a year long trip around the world from April but it looks like I’ll have to change plans…
Sorry to sound negative but this really breaks my heart and I had to write it down :'( Keep safe everyone and hope we get through this
Tas Moh
Wonderful article!
No time for regrets and “what-if?” moments.
Jeroen
This is so true.
Especially when you don’t have kids yet; go explore, go travel, go and have fun. Make memories for life, make friends for life and make your life amazing.
Each day you get 86.400 seconds to do something you like. At the end of the day these seconds are gone, no matter if you spend them wisely or not.
Don’t wait because time flies, but you are the pilot. So what is your next destination.
Don’t play the COVID card now. Okee due to covid-19 we are facing limitations, but within these limitations are a lot of possibilities (be creative).
——————————————————————————————–
I travel every summer and winter holiday with my family because we love it. Because of the school holdays we are limited to a holiday periods of max 3 weeks. In 2019 I had the opportunity to get 3 monthes off from work and so I planned my backpack trip to Asia. I travelled via Beijing and Seoul to Japan (Osaka->Tokyo). After Tokyo I visited Hong Kong before I travelled from Hanoi till the Mekong delta in Vietnam and via Manilla I went to Palawan to travell all the way up to Coron and flew to Cebu for the last part of my trip.
At that moment I was 47 years old and left my wife and kids at home (kids had to go to school). My wife let me do this, because it was my dream ever since I said I do this tomorrow when the kids are on their own. Every time I look back on this trip, I remember it as one of my best periods of my life.