I got so many responses to my question, “what did no one ever tell you abut travelling in your thirties?“, that I had to break it into two posts. Or three. They’re still coming.
Guess what? If you’re in your thirties, and travelling solo, and have never settled down, don’t have kids, don’t have a boyfriend/husband/potential anything, YOU. ARE. NOT. ALONE.
There are thousands of women just like you out there. Here are their stories.
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… I would feel dated. Or jaded. Take your pick. Its hard for me to meet people in hostels because I have nothing in common with them. {Amy}
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… I would be jealous of people with babies. I always thought I would be a young mom – not sixteen young, but post-college young. Twenty-five young. Not thirty-one and single with not even a prospect of a boyfriend who could be husband and baby daddy material.
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… “young guys will be hitting on you.” This one is so on point its a prima ballerina. If I had a dollar for every time someone’s jaw dropped when I told them how old I was, I’d never have to work again. {Vian and me}
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… “That money wouldn’t be my main deciding factor to travel anymore. In my 20’s I’d go anywhere, as long as it [was] cheap and I jumped through quite a lot of hoops to get to my destination. Now, after I turned 30, I noticed can also enjoy a little bit of luxury. An upgrade for a bus ticket. Take
the day time bus and sleep comfortable at night. I now focus on the places I really like to see, instead of hopping from one place to another, just because it is cheap.” {Naomi, Probe Around the Globe}
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… “how tired I would be trying to stay up all night trying to party. They never said how difficult it would be to keep up with the young ones. To drink all day, to drink all night. To dance all night and run around all day. They never told me how difficult it would become to live in a hostel. How much I would value my sleep even if it attracted weird looks from my dorm mates. The main thing no one told me was how incredible it was going to be. How confident I now am in myself and how much more rewarding my travels are now compared to my early twenties. no one told me it would be just as easy to make friends in my thirties and that it would be just as easy to go on epic adventures. Maybe even easier now that I have a bit more money in my pocket.” {Janet, Journalist on the Run}
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… I would intimidate people. Impress is nice. Intimidate is not. Apparently, a woman travelling alone is intimidating to men in this world. It proves that we don’t need them for basic things like food and water and survival. So, let’s back up to the single aspect, shall we?
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… I’d get homesick. Just like any twenty-two year old kid off in the world for the first time, or a kid off to Uni. I miss my books, I miss the couch by the fireplace in the library. I miss the open kitchen and the big windows out to the field. I miss my dog. Ok, he isn’t mine, but I DID introduce him to the family, so he’s kind of mine. I miss when my brothers and I get together, when my parents are there, when Dalton and Megan come over, or Sarah and Chris and the kids, and when it’s just us and we’re happy and drinking and laughing about everything.
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… I’d spend more money on groceries. No longer do I skimp on the cheapest bread, the two-minute noodles (ok, I do like those), creamy, sugary, peanut butter. NO. I do not like that, Sam I am. I am thirty, damnit, and I will buy fresh produce from the farmers market, just-baked gluten-free bread from the bakery (or farmers market,) organic, wholesome CRUNCHY peanut butter. I will buy fresh pesto, or the products to make my own pesto. I will buy eggs, and goat milk cheese (because I am lactose intolerant), and the ingredients to make hummus. I will buy cheap but decent wine. And I might even splurge on a nice bottle (read, like, twenty dollars) if I’m feeling fancy.
What no one told me about travelling in my thirties was… I’d spend more money in general. In my mind its all about the experience. Having money to fall back on is great. It is important to save for retirement. I do believe that. But… that being said… Do I want to skydive again? Hell yes. Do I want to live in a dorm room with seven other people? No, thank you. I will pay more for a private room. Do I want to go see X band or Y event or Z sport? Then I will pay for it, on my lovely credit card, and I will suck it up when I have to pay that off. Its called balance, people.
What did no one ever tell you about travelling in your thirties (or forties, or fifties)? Share in the comments below!
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