How Often Should You Travel?

How often should you travel?

My answer? As often as your life allows.

Personally, I think once a season is a pretty good rhythm.

And no, I don't mean four big, expensive, passport-required vacations every year.

Sometimes you just need to go somewhere.

Life has enough hustle and bustle built into it. Work, bills, laundry, mowing the grass, errands, appointments and all the other things that somehow keep filling up the calendar.

Before you know it, another month has gone by and you've done a whole lot of taking care of life without spending much time actually enjoying it.

That's one of the things I love about travel.

I'm outside more. I walk more. I try new food. I laugh. I stay up too late talking. I see things I've never seen before.

Or maybe I sit somewhere beautiful with a drink in my hand and do absolutely nothing.

That works too.

And if you have vacation time, use some of it for an actual vacation when you can. The laundry and grocery shopping will still be there when you get home. Trust me.

What If Travel IS Work?

I travel for work and learning fairly often.

Conferences, training, ship tours and learning about destinations are part of what I do. I love that part of my job, but work travel is still work.

So I try to make a little room for me too.

Find a local restaurant. Take a walk and see what's around. Stay the extra night if you can.

If your job takes you somewhere new, don't spend the entire trip seeing the airport, hotel and conference room.

Get out and experience a little of where you are too.

Once a Season?

That's my sweet spot now.

Maybe two shorter 3–5 night getaways and two longer 7+ night vacations throughout the year.

But I remember when I was excited to travel twice a year.

And you know what?

Twice a year was pretty great too.

Maybe your life allows four trips. Maybe it allows two. Maybe right now it's one really good vacation you've been looking forward to all year.

There isn't a magic number.

Take the time you can. Go when you can. And when you do, enjoy it.

Because we're supposed to be living our lives, not just surviving them.