If you’re like me, you finished school, graduated from university, got a job, and started settling into what you thought your life would be. But now, you’re not so sure if you’re ready for that. You’re feeling restless. You dream of distant beaches and unnamed mountains, of long flights and backpacks, of air that smells different, voices that sound different, and places that make you feel different.

You want to travel. Your soul is craving it (and those dreamy pictures on Instagram and Pinterest aren’t helping). But should you travel? Could you, even if you wanted to?

This December, my boyfriend and I are leaving our comfortable jobs, steady incomes, and cozy Surrey flat. We’re trading it all for a full backpack and a plane ticket, starting with a road trip across the USA, then working in Canada for up to two years, and eventually making our way through Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

Since sharing our plans, I’ve received many questions. Some are just curious, but most come from people who want to do the same but feel they can’t. Questions like: How do you feel about taking a career break? Why did you choose these destinations? Why now? How do you pack when you don’t know how long you’ll be away? How can you afford it? When will you buy a house and have kids? Aren’t you scared?

In this post, I’ll share why we decided to travel (when, how, and where) and how to start planning a big trip like this. Let’s dive in!

Should You Go Traveling?

While I’ll always say yes to this question (I’m a huge travel advocate), only you can answer it for yourself. Traveling brings joy, experiences, and lessons, but it’s not for everyone. It also depends on what you define as “traveling” (here, I mean trips longer than three months). Sometimes, a week away might be enough to satisfy your wanderlust.

If you’re considering long-term travel, ask yourself these three questions:

1. What’s Holding Me Back?
Think about why you haven’t booked that plane ticket yet. Is it your job or someone you’d leave behind? Are these valid reasons or just fears? Understanding your obstacles will help you decide if travel is a viable plan for you.

2. What Do I Want Out of My Trip?
This was my turning point. I realized I felt deprived of new experiences and that time was slipping away. You might want to seek new experiences, learn a language, meet new people, or volunteer. Knowing why you want to travel will justify the sacrifices and help you plan the kind of trip you want.

3. Are You Willing to Make Sacrifices?
Travel isn’t always easy or glamorous. It can be scary, hard, and sad. You’ll say many goodbyes and leave behind the life you’ve built. But that’s what makes it so rewarding.

How to Get Started

If you’ve decided to travel, congratulations! The exciting part is just beginning. Your next few months will be filled with maps, plans, bookings, and lots of excitement. But there’s a lot to do, and it can be overwhelming. Here are the first steps we took:

1. Decide When to Go
Set a solid date. This makes your plan tangible and allows you to start booking and informing people.

2. Decide Where to Go
Mapping your route is the best part, but it can be tough to narrow down. We chose places we’ve never been and always wanted to visit. We have family in the USA, so we can get free accommodation and spend Christmas with them. The USA is expensive, so we’re only spending three months there, which is the maximum stay without a visa (we have ESTA visas for 90 days).

For Canada, we love snow, coziness, wilderness, log fires, and winter sports, so it was a perfect fit. Australia, New Zealand, and Asia are places we’ve briefly visited but want to explore more.

3. Set a Realistic Budget
Your budget depends on where you’re going, how long, and whether you plan to work. Research costs for transport, accommodation, food, travel-specific items, and activities. If you plan to work, consider the time it will take to find a job.

When I went to New Zealand at 18, I took £4K for five months, which was tight because I wanted to do everything. This time, I’m taking around three times that and plan to work after about four months. You don’t need tons of cash to travel, just ensure your budget suits your trip and includes a contingency for unexpected situations.

4. Decide Who to Go With
Phil and I were always on the same page about traveling, so it was a given we’d go together. But it’s not always that clear-cut. I traveled alone at 18 because no one else wanted to do the same thing, and it was great. You meet so many people that you never feel alone.

Think carefully about your travel companions. You’ll spend a lot of time together in potentially stressful situations, so make sure your friendship can handle it.

Once you know where, when, and with whom you’re going, your plans will start to take shape. Before you know it, you’ll be sitting in a nearly empty flat with your flight just weeks away (like I am now).

In the coming weeks, I’ll share more about my trip and how you can plan yours, including money-saving tips, balancing travel with a career, and must-dos before you leave.

Have you traveled or are you planning a trip? Are you traveling now? Share your tips with us!