Preparing for an Around the World Trip: Embarking on the Journey

Introduction: From Dream to Reality

Have you ever wondered how people make the transition from a traditional lifestyle to one filled with travel and adventure? Preparing for an around the world trip isn’t accomplished overnight. It requires meticulous planning, preparation, and determination. As I shared in my inaugural blog post, I decided to take this exhilarating leap of faith – trading in a stable job and familiar surroundings for a life marked by adventure and discovery. As promised, in this post, we are taking it a step further. Transforming dreams of an around the world trip into a reality isn’t accomplished overnight – it requires meticulous planning, preparation, and determination. From financial readiness to mental resilience, this post unveils the journey I embarked on, the choices I made, and the challenges I faced.

If you’ve dreamt of swapping your 9-5 routine for boundless exploration, consider this your wake-up call. Let’s journey together along the winding roads that led me to the nomadic life I now cherish. Maybe you’ll find the spark you need for your own dreams to soar.

The Preamble: Life Before the Leap

My journey towards a globe-trotting adventure, as I mentioned in my first blog post, was significantly influenced by ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ and the ethereal landscapes of Iceland. Yet, my travel aspirations are a combination of many influences, each contributing to my desire to explore.

Before I took the leap, I served in the military, which was less often like a typical 9-to-5, and more often like a 9-to-whenever ordeal. However, the job’s rigor was balanced by the captivating beauty of my duty stations in Hawaii and California, where I was stationed. These places, dramatically contrasting my Maryland hometown and ignited in me a desire for exploration that only intensified over time.

My passions for photography and hiking emerged here, each photo and every trail not only ignited my love for the outdoors, but also kindled an urge to see more. The desire to capture the uncharted and to conquer new terrains planted the seed for a bigger adventure.

Frequent trips across Hawaii and the western states offered a fresh canvas for my growing interests. These deepened my travel longing and inspired visions of wider journeys.

While Walter Mitty’s adventure and Iceland’s mesmerizing allure were main propellants, it was these more persistent instances that kept fanning my travel aspirations. Like a slow, steady flame, these influences helped craft the idea of globe-spanning journey.

First Steps: From Concept to Concrete Plans

Embarking on an around the world journey isn’t something that happens overnight, and it certainly involves a blend of excitement and extensive planning. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a newbie, the first step in a trip is moving beyond dreams and making a solid plan.

Financial situations, as well all know, can vary vastly from person to person. Your own financial condition plays a pivotal role in determining not just the length of your travel, but also the regions you can afford to travel to. Therefore, it’s crucial to closely examine your finances to determine what’s achievable for you. Perhaps you’ve been saving for years for this very purpose, or maybe you’re just starting to put money aside for this dream trip. Either way, it’s vital to set a financial target that you’d be comfortable with, and one that won’t leave you in a bind after your travels.

In my own experience, I discovered that my initial apprehensions about the affordability of such a trip were somewhat misplaced. Through diligent research, I found that traveling around the world for a year could cost around $25,000 – certainly a considerable amount, but one that seemed more manageable when I compared it to the price of a new car.

This figure, however, is a general estimate. It’s important to note that the actual amount could vary depending on various factors, including the duration and destination of your trip. For instance, if the trip was condensed to six months, specifically in lower cost-of-living countries such as those in Southeast Asia, the required fund could shrink down to approximately $7,000.

This realization was a turning point for me, though; it made my dream seem more achievable, and I started to focus on how to save up for this ticket to freedom.

Understanding Your Financial Reality: The 50/30/20 Rule Explained

Understanding that everyone’s financial situation and income levels differ significantly is the first step to crafting a personalized financial strategy. While a particular method may have worked for me, it may not be equally effective for you. This is where doing some financial soul-searching becomes critical. Understand your income, fixed and discretionary expenses, and savings to create a tailored plan for you.

To clarify this process, let me illustrate with the strategy I adopted, which was guided by the popular 50/30/20 budget rule. This method proposes dividing your income into three broad categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings.

To break this down with some examples, ‘needs’ could include expenses that are essential for survival and basic comfort, such as rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, healthcare, and transportation. ‘Wants’, on the other hand, are discretionary spending that enhances your lifestyle but aren’t strictly necessary, like dining out, entertainment, vacations, and shopping for non-essentials.

Applying the Strategy: Crafting Your Savings Plan

Imagine a scenario where your monthly take-home pay is $4,000. Following this budgeting rule, you’d allocate $2,000 for essential needs, $1,200 for personal wants, and $800 for savings. Further, unspent money from ‘wants’ can be shifted towards your savings, accelerating your journey to your financial goal.

In my case, I aimed for a goal of $25,000, and with consistent saving of 20% of my income every month, I could reach this target in roughly 2.5 years. That’s assuming the savings are simply held in a regular account, without considering any interest or investment gains.

This approach requires discipline, but it’s absolutely achievable. It’s less about restricting yourself and more about understanding and controlling your spending habits. This method not only provided me a roadmap to my dream trip but also endowed me with the confidence to make a life-altering decision.

While the 50/30/20 rule helped me immensely in preparing for an around the world trip, remember to tailor it according to your individual circumstances. The ultimate goal is a plan aligned with your financial reality, helping you progress towards your aspirations.

Decisions and Changes: Laying the Groundwork for the Adventure

Having crafted a financial strategy and met my savings target, I was ready to take the next step toward realizing my dream. A well-stocked savings account was just the first milestone on this journey. It also needed a full commitment to change to move from the ordinary towards the extraordinary. With my financial security in place, I decided to steer my life towards this bold new direction. This started with reshaping my professional life.

Note – I understand that not everyone might be in a position, or even desire, to resign from their jobs to take on such an adventure. Everyone’s circumstances, priorities, and commitments differ, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to embarking on a world trip. Some might find joy in shorter, more frequent trips, while others might choose to work remotely, enjoying new locations while maintaining their job. You might be a student planning a gap year or a retiree eager to see the world post-retirement. The important thing is to figure out what aligns with your life situation and your travel desires.

The decision to resign from my job was not one I took lightly, and when I announced it, it naturally brought about concerns from those close to me. Their worries were understandable – after all, stepping away from a secure job is no small matter. However, equipped with a carefully crafted financial plan and a strong desire to turn my dream into reality, I felt confident in my choice. I knew that this was a key step in preparing for my around the world trip.

Rather than simply leaving a job, I viewed this transition as closing one chapter and turning the page to begin an exciting new one. With understanding for their concerns but certainty in my decision, I was ready to start this fresh chapter of exploration and adventure.

Embracing Minimalism: A Dual-Faceted Approach

The next phase of my preparations for an around the world trip was the great downsizing. This process was not only about parting with physical possessions, but also about embracing a form of financial minimalism. This dual-aspect of downsizing encouraged a liberating shift in mindset, moving away from material attachments and financial obligations.

In terms of physical possessions, I started going through my items one by one. Some things had been boxed up for years, so long forgotten that they served as evidence of how much I didn’t use on a daily basis. I donated most items and found new homes for larger furniture pieces using online marketplaces. For the possessions I chose to retain, utility and practicality took precedence over emotional attachment. My versatile rock-climbing pants, for example, made the cut for their multifunctionality. This process of item selection formed the basis of my travel packing list, which I’ve detailed in my recent post on packing for a world trip.

Reducing Financial Ties: Simplifying for the Journey Ahead

While clearing out my physical possessions, I also took steps to reduce my financial ties, understanding that minimizing financial obligations back home makes travel more affordable and your money able to stretch further. This involved terminating my lease and selling my car, two considerable expenses that I would no longer need or be able to maintain during my travels.

The effects of this financial downsizing were profound. I was able to redirect those funds towards my upcoming journey, thus bolstering my travel budget. By the end of it all, I was, for the first time in my adult life, “keyless”, not having a key for an apartment or a car. I had minimized my financial commitments and managed to liberate myself from a substantial portion of physical possessions.

The final steps involved entrusting my remaining personal effects, such as travel souvenirs and military awards, to my parents for safekeeping. With no anchors left, the only way to go was forward.

Logistics: Leaving No Stone Unturned

My plans to embark on my global adventure was influenced by many factors such as my desire to start in Asia and the need to account for varying weather patterns. Plotting an optimal route when dealing with tropical climates near the equator can be a challenging task, particularly when needing to sidestep monsoon seasons. To aid fellow travelers in their planning, I’m currently crafting a tool that will consider your weather preferences to suggest the best travel destinations – I look forward to sharing it soon!

A key part of the planning process was understanding the different cost-of-living levels across the globe. My initial realization was that spending an entire year in high-cost countries like those in Western Europe wasn’t financially sustainable. Therefore, it made more sense to commence my journey in Southeast Asia, where living costs are significantly lower. I strategically designed my route to intersperse less expensive regions with shorter stays in medium to high-cost locations.

Two months ahead of my scheduled departure, I purchased a one-way ticket to Bangkok, Thailand. This tangible milestone brought the reality of my plans into sharp focus.

Ensuring Your Health: Planning Vaccinations for a World Trip

At least 2-3 months before leaving, you should start carefully plan your health strategy. During the hustle and bustle, his is something some might overlook while preparing for an around the world trip. However, ensuring you’re properly inoculated prior to setting out on your global journey is not a step to be missed.

Consider this: Short-term vacations typically pose a lower risk for contracting dangerous pathogens. However, when it comes to long-term travel, especially if your itinerary involves spending significant time in the great outdoors, the potential health risks become more complex. Your destination and activities there will determine which vaccines and preventative measures are necessary.

Take, for example, a journey to Asia teeming with outdoor activities. Precautionary measures such as malaria pills and a Japanese encephalitis vaccine (JEV) should be factored into your health plan. Similarly, if your itinerary involves visiting Africa or South America, a Yellow Fever vaccine becomes essential. Some countries even mandate proof of your vaccination status as a precondition for entry. Check the CDC’s website to stay up-to-date.

Choosing a reliable and professional health service can guide you through this important process. I personally relied on Passport Health to aid in my preparation. Their thorough approach ensured I received only necessary vaccines and medicines. In my case, this included vaccines for typhoid, yellow fever, and tdap, in addition to malaria pills and a medical first aid kit. The total cost? Around $600 – a price well worth the peace of mind.

On-the-Road Essentials: Insurances, Mail, and Communication

As “D-Day”, or Departure Day, rapidly approached, I focused on taking care of last-minute items that would ensure a smooth journey once on the road. An integral part of this phase was setting up key services, such as travel insurance, mail management, and communication networks, all critical to maintaining a sense of normality while wandering across the globe.

Starting with travel insurance, I initially partnered with World Nomads due to their comprehensive coverage. I later switched to SafetyWing, for its focus on emergency medical coverage despite fewer travel protections. This move also made financial sense as SafetyWing’s rates were considerably lower – three times less expensive, in fact. Keep an eye out for a future post where I’ll delve deeper into a comparative analysis of these two insurance providers.

Navigating Mail and Communications on the Move

In the week or two before my departure, I established an electronic mailbox service with Earth Class Mail. This platform scans my mail and emails me digital copies, and offering storage, forwarding, or download options. It’s proved invaluable in managing my postal affairs while on the road.

In terms of telecommunication, I initially opted for Google Fi due to its excellent international coverage. However, their 90-day usage limit for services outside the US led me to explore other alternatives. This is where eSIMs entered the scene. These digital SIM cards can be downloaded without the need for a physical card. Among the providers, Airalo emerged as my top pick, offering quick setup and reliable service via their app. Although the cost may be slightly higher than local SIMs and the data plans more limited, the convenience factor was key. I’ll be sharing more about this topic in another detailed post soon. Stay tuned!

Emotional and Mental Preparations: Embracing the Unknown

The pursuit of a dream as audacious as an around the world trip requires more than just financial and logistical preparedness. Emotional and mental readiness is equally, if not more, crucial. As the departure day nears, you may find yourself grappling with a mix of emotions. The thrill of adventure intertwines with the apprehension of leaving behind the familiar. Anticipating long periods away from loved ones and the possibility of missing important events back home can be daunting. Embracing these feelings and processing them is an integral part of preparing yourself for this transformative experience.

This period of transition presents a perfect opportunity to express appreciation for those who matter most. It’s a time to assure your loved ones of their significance in your life, and while you’re stepping into this exciting new chapter, they continue to remain crucial elements of your story. My military service had trained me for prolonged separation, yet this was a different kind of goodbye. Each individual’s emotional journey is unique, so approach these farewells in a way that feels most authentic to you.

As daunting as these goodbyes may seem, they can also be a source of strength. Parting on a high note, celebrating the journey that lies ahead, and making plans for regular communication can ease the transition. With the power of technology, we can bridge physical distances with video calls, messages, and shared digital experiences. Embrace the uncertainty, prepare for the adventure, and hold close the knowledge that the bonds you’ve built will continue to thrive, no matter the miles between.

Embracing Change: The Journey Awaits

As we wrap up, it’s clear that preparing for an around the world trip is a multifaceted endeavor that takes time to accomplish. This journey of preparation involves an array of steps such as embracing minimalism to lighten our physical and financial burdens, developing a travel fund to sustain us throughout our adventure, planning for health contingencies like vaccinations and insurance, and setting up communication methods to stay connected while traversing the globe. However, each careful step we take in this process further demonstrates our commitment and readiness to leave the predictability of our routine life for the unknown adventures that lie ahead on our world trip.

At the end of all of the preparations, the logistics and practicalities seem to recede into the backdrop as we finally stand ready at the brink of this extraordinary journey. A journey that doesn’t confine us within the four walls of an office or tether us to materialistic anchors. Instead, it promises a world marked by an infinite horizon, a diversity of cultures, unforgettable experiences, and global friendships. Each day offers the prospect of waking up to a new adventure, a new learning, a new story.

As we prepare to step into this realm of boundless exploration, it’s important to remember that embarking on this journey is a choice – a choice underpinned by the audacity to dream, the courage to take the leap, and the resilience to embrace the challenges that come with it. For every person reading this post, I extend an open invitation to reimagine the boundaries of your world and explore the unexplored. There will always be a million reasons to say no, but all you need is one good reason to say yes. So, are you ready to dive into this symphony of experiences, this dance with the unknown? The journey awaits.

Don’t forget to check out my comprehensive packing list. It’s an essential guide that I’ve compiled based on my experiences to help you prepare for your adventure. You can access it here!