The women of Her Packing List are a different breed of traveler.
They trek the Annapurna Circuit, teach English in South Korea, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef and explore India by train. They aren’t afraid to get dirt underneath their fingernails. They don’t worry if their top clashes with their pants.
They are, above all, outgoing, adventurous and intelligent women setting an example for their peers. They don’t wait until their career calms down to travel because they understand that life is for the taking TODAY.
There is no “good time” to travel. Every time is the right time.
You already know you want to see the world, so do it. Take the plunge. And remember the words of the female travel manifesto along the way.
Wander outside your comfort zone. Boldly go somewhere, near or far. Leave your footprint in the dirt. Be scared to travel, but don’t let it stop you.
Overlook stereotypes. Shape your opinion through experience. Keep an open mind. Represent your homeland in a positive light.
Do something spontaneous. Go after what you want without hesitation. Forge a new path.
Be a responsible traveler. Be kind to nature. Give back as often as you can.
Pack smartly and be prepared for the unexpected. Never take more than you can carry. Less is more.
Be aware of your surroundings. Use common sense in regards to your safety. Stay confident.
Don’t waste time wallowing or comparing things to home. Remain present and in the moment. Accept that it’s okay to be alone or homesick at times.
Do what you want to do. Do the “touristy” thing. Take a vacation from your vacation when needed.
Not everyone suits the travel lifestyle. Most people won’t understand your desire to explore. Live a lifestyle you love. Value constructive opinions and ignore the negativity.
You are ready to see the world.
Yes so many doubters. I always get asked when I’m coming back to “settle down” don’t people realise how silly that sounds. Settle has such negative connotations why would anyone want to do it.
I couldn’t agree more George! My answer is always, “Yeah…about that…”
Don’t let the fear stop you from traveling – love it! I’m always trying to encourage people to travel and to work past their travel-related fears. We all have those fears, I still get freaked out sometimes, but you go anyway because it’s the only way to show yourself there’s no reason to be scared.
I completely agree..as a former social worker turned travel agent, travel is probably one of the only things that shows you what you are made of as well as what you are capable of.
A beautiful manifesto. 🙂 Weirdly, I find “being scared” half the fun of doing about anything, and I so rarely see others admit and/or understand that. Love!
Awesome Abby, glad you get it <3
AND, please do not think it is just for you when you are young! I trekked all over the world in my 20,s and now I am doing it again in a similar way in my 50’s! The time in between was more conventional travel and it was nice but a little too safe and boring. I just quit my job and am spending the rest of this year on the move! Woo Hoo! 🙂
I just turn 45 – my plan was to travel at 50. But tomorrow is never guarantee so I’m going NOW five years early, yes I’m a bit afraid to go away for 30 days but I’m also excited! Did my homework got my passport updated and I’m OUT!!!
“Accept that it’s okay to be alone at times.”
That actually brings up something I’ve been debating. Just for fun I’m planning a (hopefully not theoretical) “gap year” round the world trip for the year or so after I finish high school. It’s a little bit nerve-wracking to imagine being alone for fifteen months in any number of COMPLETELY unfamiliar countries and cultures (especially if it would be my first experience of living on my own), but at the same time I’m all for diving in head first and I love going out of my comfort zone and trying new, scary things. I think it could be fun to go with a friend, but at the same time I’m afraid that traveling with someone else could take away from the freedom of doing things that interest me but that might get vetoed by a travel companion. Do you have a post on the pros and cons of solo travel? If not, any thoughts?
Is there a way of downloading this so I can print it off for my travel vision board? Thanks, Joanne
Hi Joanne – You should be able to right-click and save the image.