This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kevin__Chan: rt @vagabondish How to Plan a Trip Without Making Any Plans http://bit.ly/2L082Y #travel…

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Jeepers..I probably shouldn’t be exposing so much personal info on the world wide web..but oh well.

Talk to you soon! – noah

I stumbled here pretty much in the exact same way you did (altho my google search was “traveling without a plan). It kinda threw me when I read your comments b/c I am feeling the EXACT same way–I just turned 18 today, and I’ve been trying to figure out why I feel so restless and bored with my life. I also have the same deal with family expectations that I’ll go to college next fall (I was accepted to my top choice, and with amazing financial aid…hard to refuse).

I had an incredible experience spending a semester away from home last spring and it’s been hard to settle back into the humdrum routine of school life. Like you, I know what I “should” do–but I’m a little afraid that if I follow that path, I’ll never get off of it. I just want some time to explore, wander, to see the world, without all the attachments and expectations that come with being a teen/young adult nowadays: first it’s college, then internships/first jobs, grad school, marriage, career, etc…and where do we go from there?

I’m thinking of taking a gap year–maybe two. I’d actually live the first year with my aunt in Europe, which might allow me to do some shorter trips around the continent and earn some money while i’m in one place–but after that, who knows?

I loved reading about your experience in the national park–it sounds so beautiful–in fact, it’s inspired me to explore my backyard a little further too. Granted I think it would be a rather less nature-y experience for me, considering I live in downtown Chicago but my city really offers so much: you’ve reminded me, altho you may not know it, that I don’t have to go far to get a peek beyond the bubble of my world.

Thanks. If you ever wanna chat about travel, you’ve got someone who understands where you’re coming from (though I doubt I’d offer very good advice on how to go about doing it, haha)

-Sarah

Thank you for your response. I wasn’t sure if anyone would ever see it, so I Really appreciate it! I’m not sure what I am going to do in order to take that step you mentioned, but I am going to do it somehow, sometime. I’m thinking that I may already have. Financially, I’m a penny pincher. Spare change is building up in the corner of my bedroom in buckets and I recently took on my very first piano student! (That’s what I’m taking at university; music) But, one day after school as I was about to pull in my driveway I decided I wasn’t ready to go home yet. I’m fortunate enough to have a canadian national park on my very road in prince edward island, so, knowing it would be deserted this time of year, I ventured into the wild of my own backyard . It was a defining experience and I was so surprised to be able to find tranquility and adventure just a few minutes down the road. It was a simple expedition, but I ended up getting lost in my own excitement for three hours in the snow-covered terrain. I couldn’t stop. I released my inner-explorer and I even encountered coyotes from a distance! I followed animal tracks across a large plain, trekked through a forest trail, and jogged over a wooden boardwalk that rested on a frozen pond. I walked out about 800 paces onto the frozen gulf of st. lawrence and peered over a mountain of jagged ice almost three times my height. Beyond the ice build up I noticed two seals off in the distance. Back on land, I climbed to the top of the highest sand dune which was blanketed with a thin layer of snow. It was silent, vast, and desolate, but standing up there for five minutes just watching the still made me realize that perhaps the first step to appreciating the world is acknowledging the fact that beauty can be found anywhere ; it’s all just perspective. I always took my surroundings for granted and I think my little journey opened up my eyes wider than another trip to Europe could do. I could go on forever about my experience, but I don’t know how many words can do it full justice. One thing I will say though is that it was most definitely spontaneous. I was poorly equipped with ankle socks and sneakers, and often found myself falling into snow past my knees, but my frozen toes were well worth the trip. I wish I had had a camera with me. I’d love to show you pictures if I had any. Anyway, I wasn’t thinking about your reply when I made the decision to go, but I like to think that maybe it unconsciously persuaded me to take the initiative. So, if that is the case, I once again thank you for seeing my post. I’m thinking that maybe my adventure would be a good intro to my own blog site!

-Noah

Wow! do I know how you feel?! Yes
Do I have all the answers? No.
But I’ll try to reply like you asked for.
The world and its trappings will remain no matter how old you grow and no matter how much money you make. What you need to decide is what is more important to you? Getting an education like everyone else or really growing as an individual. As a 29 year old I can say I wish I thought like you when I was 18 and got out there.
I’m not deterring you from your education – it sure it important but its not the whole world. Education also comes from meeting people and seeing places.
Wise man said “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. So take that step now.
So here’s what I suggest – complete your education as per set plan. Use your free time (weekends, summers etc) to take small trips. Sponsor these with money earned with evening jobs or jobs on the road.
As you grow & explore you will also find newer ways to make some money while you indulge your passion to travel. Your education may also help get a good job which will allow you to take more luxurious vacations later.
# 1 step to take – get up and do it.
Good luck buddy!

I’m going to school right now, but I am restless. My desire to experience new places is really starting to distract me from my daily routines. I consider myself an amateur writer. I’m not a travel writer, because I haven’t lived up to the ‘travel’ aspect, but I’ve gotten a head start, and I write constantly about my appetite for adventure. On a show I watched today, a man being interviewed said that he turned to travel as a means of ‘finding’ himself. It struck a chord somewhere within me.

My main point is this. My education on how to execute my travel aspirations is limited. I have a hunger to feed, and I’m not sure how to satisfy it. As I read people’s comments, I see people who have taken action, and it’s great to see, but I can’t understand how they do it. Again, I realize I’m young and have a future ahead of me, but I’m so eager. It’s confusing at my age because in one ear, I’m being told that now is the time to go to school; get an education, but in the other ear, I’m being told that now is the time to explore and take advantage of my youthfulness.

I suppose I’m looking for answers. I don’t know where to begin. I love the idea of a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, but where do I start? Is it wishful thinking for an 18 year old to start traveling? Do I need thousands and thousands of dollars to support me for a whole trip, or just enough to get started? Are my priorities even in the right spot?

I am assuming that you’ve been all through this confusion when you began your travels, but how do I get past it? I’m sorry for asking so much, but I really don’t have anybody around here that I can turn to! But, as a fellow travel-lover, I’m hoping you can reply and not necessarily answer all of my questions in full detail, but give me some insight of any kind. I feel like there’s so much that I left unsaid, but this is long enough. This is the first time I’ve ever turned to a complete stranger for advice!

I really want to start writing and seeing the world! Maybe I should start with writing about this process:) Might make a nice preface to my novel!

Thank you so much for reading,
Noah