Many people put off travelling until they retire and are free to pursue their own interests. But is it feasible? Is it really going to be easier to travel once you stop working? In this article, we’ve covered the top ten reasons why you shouldn’t wait until you’re retired to travel.
Many people consider travel to be a luxury. Most people reserve travel for special occasions such as honeymoons, anniversaries, promotions, or the traditional annual family vacation. The honeymoon is regarded as the pinnacle of a newlywed couple’s relationship, particularly for those who choose to wait until marriage to consummate.
Annual family outings are traditionally held in high regard. They are something that must be “earned” over the course of the year. These rites of passage (honeymoons and family vacations) are some of the most important events in our lives. They create unforgettable memories; however, many people are guilty of relegating them to annual or solitary experiences in life.
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Top 12 reasons why you shouldn’t wait until you’re retired to travel
Traveling will most likely cost more as you get older
It’s a simple fact that older travellers pay more for travel insurance. And that’s assuming you’re lucky. Because of pre-existing medical conditions, many older travellers cannot obtain travel insurance. Furthermore, suppose you’re like most people (including myself). In that case, you’ll crave (or need) more creature comforts as you get older, increasing your travel expenses. It’s one of the reasons why there aren’t many 70-year-olds sleeping in hostel dorm beds. This is one of the most important reasons why you should not wait to travel till you’re old.
LIFE’S UNPREDICTABLE: YOU MIGHT DIE FIRST.
With this one, I’m not going to mince words. According to actuarial tables, approximately 17% of men will die between the ages of 25 and 65. Will you be among them? You’re taking a chance. Women have better odds, but there is still a 10% chance of dying between the ages of 25 and 65.
LIFE HAS A WAY OF GETTING IN YOUR WAY.
As you get older, life tends to become more complicated. You may marry someone who does not want to travel, or your current partner may decide not to travel. If you become a grandparent, your children may require your assistance in caring for their children. Even more commonly, you may be forced to care for your parents as they age. To summarise, a thousand things could change, making it more difficult for you to get on the road.
WILL YOU BE ABLE TO TRAVEL IF YOU ARE HEALTHY ENOUGH?
It’s a sad reality, but our health often begins to deteriorate as we approach retirement age. Your health may deteriorate to the point where travel is difficult or impossible.
Do you want to go on a walkabout in the Australian Outback or climb the stairs of the Eiffel Tower? Make sure you’re in good enough shape to do it when you retire. This is a common reason why you should not wait to travel till you’re old.
Is it possible to be too old to travel?
If you ask travel experts, they’ll tell you that age is just a number. It comes down to physical and, to a lesser extent, mental ability.
But is that really the case?
Physical and mental limitations accompany old age. You can put an end to those hikes with your weak knees. Or perhaps your vision deteriorates. Or perhaps your body is unable to withstand the extreme temperature. There’s always uncertainty regarding the future, so you should travel while you’re healthy. Travel the world, book a South Africa trip or stay in a South Africa safari lodge. Live your best life today.
Personal development scope
This is one of the most important reason to travel while you’re young. The greater purpose of traveling is to help us grow as individuals.
To learn more about cultures, become more accepting, break stereotypes, educate ourselves through other people’s lives, and, ultimately, know ourselves.
The older we get, the less ready our minds are for personal growth, the less open they are to new ideas, and the less they will benefit from travel.
Traveling teaches you life lessons.
When you return, you will be ready to work and deal with life with a new and fresh perspective every time.
The World is changing quickly.
If you want to go somewhere right now, remember that the world may change dramatically before you retire. Whether you want to hit the open road or not, hidden gems are becoming increasingly difficult to find, and more and more people travel all the time. Every year, the world becomes smaller, and our dream destination is often more than just a destination; it’s a state of mind.
Seeing the pyramids in Egypt was on every round-the-world trip itinerary ten years ago. Political unrest has made Egypt a far more dangerous place to visit today. The same can be said for Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. Of course, places can improve (just look at Sarajevo, a bombed-out shell in the 1990s), but you never know.
Just keep in mind that if you’ve always wanted to go somewhere, by the time you retire, it may no longer resemble that dream.
What if you get nervous?
Adventure is like a muscle; it atrophy if you don’t use it. Will you have the courage to start travelling after retirement if you don’t travel at all when you’re younger? Will you have become so accustomed to your routine that you can’t imagine ever breaking free?
Your children are young only once.
Consider the gift you could give your children by allowing them to travel the world while they are still young. Traveling with children can be challenging, but it can also be a fantastic experience. If you plan to travel with your older children when you retire, keep in mind that by then, they may be well established in their own lives and have no time to wander around the world with you.
What if you don’t have money?
A variety of factors can throw a wrench in your financial retirement plans. Divorce, job loss later in life, rising house costs, increased health care costs, or simply an increase in the cost of living can all cause your retirement date to be pushed back or force you to retire earlier on less money. What makes you so sure that you’ll suddenly have more money to spend on travel if you can’t afford it right now?
That news is not complete.
If you’re putting off travel until you’re retired, and your children are grown, consider this: What if they refuse to leave? A whopping 56% of young Americans aged 18 to 24 still live at home, with 36% aged 18 to 31. Will you still be responsible for their lodging and meals? Not to mention the cost of attending university.
You should travel now if you want to be a cool older person.
The only way to be cool when you’re old is to have a million adventure stories to tell.
retirement travel ideas
You don’t have enough time or energy after retirement to write stories.
When you choose to travel and create stories when you can, you grow up to be a dope person.
Be life goals for the next generation.
You may not understand future technology or know the references to popular shows. Still, you will be the cool aunt with stories to tell about worlds beyond the screens of media.
Conclusion
CARPE THE DIEM. Take advantage of the opportunity. Life is short and sweet; you only get one shot to make it count. If you genuinely want to travel, make it happen right now.
This isn’t about hedonism, ignoring your responsibilities, or risking your financial future. This is about taking a good, hard look at life’s realities and deciding how you want to live. This is why you shouldn’t wait to travel till you’re old.
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