Ifah SakinahThe new year beckons and it’s a great time to look ahead and see what exhilarating experiences it will bring. The yearly ritual of pondering about must-visit destinations inspires our imagination and enkindles the spirit of adventure.
The possibilities of travel resolutions are endless no doubt. Think broadly as you set them out! Fret not if you are stuck with ideas; from travelling more sustainably to even starting your own travel journal, here are 6 travel new year resolutions you can make (and stick to) in 2020.
1. Travel solo
Image credit: Bhupendra Singh
While the thought of travelling alone sounds daunting, it can be rewarding. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to overcome obstacles on your own. You learn to make friends outside your circle, trust your gut, navigate new routes and most importantly discover yourself.
It also gives you ultimate freedom. Your schedule is entirely yours to decide. Want to frolic on the beach and give the touristy spot a miss? No one can hamper your decision.
Do not put off a trip simply because your peers or family can’t make it. Procrastination is the thief of time. Brace yourself for an adventure of a lifetime and embark on the journey solo. You will be amazed at how delightful it can be to spend some time alone. Studies have shown that the ability to tolerate solitude is linked to greater life satisfaction and increased happiness.
Hopefully travelling somewhere alone makes the plausibility of taking on the world a seemingly achievable endeavour.
Also read: Why travel solo?
2. Have an environmentally-friendly vacation
Image credit: Monika Kozub
It comes as no surprise that travelling leaves a negative impact on the environment. However, don’t let the guilt dampen your wanderlust. Instead, make 2020 the year you decide to embark on a sustainable travel journey. Sustainable travel is about being a responsible traveller and making informed choices in every aspect of your trip. Here are some practical tips you can get started on to make a difference.
- Pack light
- Go by road or rail whenever possible
- Utilise the sharing economy
- Opt for eco-friendly accommodations
- Do not engage in animal tourism
- Buy local products
- Bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping
- Try to book non-stop flights rather than stopovers
- Avoid places suffering from over-tourism
- Fly with budget airline
The list can be exhaustive but you get the point. Green travel is not a passing fad so it is about time you become more aware of your actions and ‘leave the place you visit better than when you found them’.
3. Start a travel journal
Image credit: Dariusz Sankowski
Starting a travel journal isn’t any different from starting any other kind of journal. You write about all the trips you have taken and include snapshots to make it more pleasing to look at. It is a personal collection of exciting adventures, heartfelt stories and unforgettable memories that you can look back and reflect.
Here are some travel journal ideas to inspire you.
- List down places you want to visit
- Record unique interactions with others
- Send yourself postcards and include them
- Discern the taste of famous local foods
- Consider what you would have done different on the trip
- Recommend must-sees and must-dos for friends and family
- Illustrate interesting places or encounters
- Incorporate travel quotes
- Keep boarding passes and train tickets
You will have a fascinating journal that serves as a memento of your experiences at the various destinations. Time to time, you can look back at the pleasant memories that you have meticulously documented and smile.
Also read: 10 fun and creative ways to document your travel
4. Disconnect from social media and live in the moment
Image credit: Alif Ngoylung
Creating memories’ is de rigueur of travelling. As social media becomes an indispensable part of many lives, sharing holiday moment by moment on the various platforms becomes a way of creating ‘indisposable’ memories. You get so obsessed with getting that instagram-worthy shot to flaunt your perfect holiday that you forget to seize the day.
You are unable to take in the details around you if your eyes are constantly peeled on your digital devices. Do not miss out on a huge travel moment because you are too busy trying to capture it for social media.
Become more present during your travels so as to truly revel in the unadulterated bliss of the moment. It is vital to disconnect to connect. Stow your technology and heighten your mindfulness. Create memories in a different light.
“Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.”
― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
5. Visit one of the 7 wonders of the world!
Image credit: Barbara Zandoval
Chances are that you have heard of the Seven New Wonders of the World but have you had the opportunity to visit the celebrated natural wonders of the world and iconic structures? They are located across five of the world’s seven continents. Following is a list of the Seven New Wonders of the World.
- Great Wall of China (China)
- Christ the Redeemer Statue (Rio de Janeiro)
- Machu Picchu (Peru)
- Chichen Itza (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico)
- The Roman Colosseum (Rome)
- Taj Mahal (Agra, India)
- Petra (Jordan)
If you have yet to discover any of them, check it off your travel bucket list in 2020!
6. Be a tourist in your own country
Image credit: Sebastian Gabriel
Travelling is often associated with booking a flight ticket to relish the thrills foreign places bring. There is surely something alluring about a faraway place but there is so much to see closer to home. Thousands of visitors flock to your country annually so why shouldn’t you? Here’s how you can explore your own country from a different perspective in 2020.
- Snap photos of yourself in front of tourists spots
- Visit a museum
- Show friends and family around
- Take a historic tour
- Have a staycation
- Try various local delights
- Take a different mode of transport
- Go up high ( a vantage point)
- Check out local events
- Go back in history
Ignite a newfound appreciation of your hometown. You will get the same benefits of travelling abroad sans the jet-lag and arduous journey.
Commit to these travel resolutions and turn the coming year into an unforgettable escapade! Have a happy new year.
