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Welcome to the end of 2020! Through all of the virtual schooling, Zoom meetings, outdoor gathering in the cold, and constant handwashing, we made it to the end of the year. While 2021 isn’t going to magically look much different for a while, we’re hopeful that we’ll get to check off a few of the destinations on our 2021 travel wish list, when the world opens up again. In the meantime, we’re celebrating the new year by making a handful of travel resolutions – ones we actually feel we can keep. That New Year’s resolution of not touching dessert in 2020 just didn’t work out, so we’re being more practical this year. Here’s our list of six travel resolutions we plan to implement during our time (hopefully) traveling the globe in 2021.

Vow to be in the moment

Our lives are busy. We’ve all become proficient at multitasking at every waking hour. Our phones buzz, our watches remind us to drink water, and we can somehow cook dinner while binge watching the latest show. It can turn into a whirlwind of always being “on” but never really “there,” as our minds jump from task to task. But vacation is a great time to hit pause on the mental strain.

This year, we’re vowing to be more in the moment while we’re traveling. We’re scheduling time away from our phones and computers to truly be present in where we are and what we’re doing. Not only does this help us connect with the place and activity, but it draws everyone closer together.

Once we get home there’s plenty of time to resume scrolling. On vacation, we’re taking time to disconnect from the noise and truly enjoy the here and now.

Flow like water

Water flows around any interruption in the path. It’s formless and adapts to its surroundings. In 2021, we’re hoping to spend more time in the tropical waters but we’re also resolving to flow like water when we travel.

It’s nearly impossible for absolutely every aspect of travel to go perfectly according to plan. It’s also typically impossible for everything to match our expectations. Sometimes it far exceeds them! But regardless, we’re looking to be more flexible and adaptive when traveling in 2021. 

Maldives overwater bungalow

Appreciate the little things

With 2020 canceling tons of travel plans, we were left reminiscing about past vacations. Remember that bowl of steaming pho we ate on the sidewalk on plastic stools in Vietnam? And how awesome that family cruise was when we splurged on the room with the balcony? Or the nights we spent quietly wandering the residential streets of Tokyo? We miss it all. Often we miss the small, insignificant parts of a vacation that we had almost forgotten about.

In 2021, we hope to travel with a new appreciation of the small things that make us feel good.

Extravagance does not necessarily equal enjoyment

Similarly to how we hope to focus on the small stuff while traveling in 2021, we’ve set a resolution to recognize that extravagance doesn’t always mean enjoyment. Not every vacation needs to include a 5-star resort. Sometimes the small bed and breakfast is more enjoyable. Traveling while sticking to a budget can bring about experiences you’d never have otherwise like eating where the locals do to discover that it’s actually better than the seaside restaurant with all the tourists. And for a fraction of the price.

Germany travel

Enjoyment can be totally free. A vacation in your home state may be way more memorable than flying across the globe. Your long weekend mini-vacation could be the highlight of the year.

In 2021 we’re taking vacations with a focus on enjoying the experience and recognizing that we don’t need to spend a fortune to make that happen.

Be open to new things with a dash of spontaneity

It’s easy to get comfortable in our regular routines. We know we like coffee from a specific chain so why stray? Well because that closes us off to finding anything new that could potentially be much better!

While traveling in 2021, we’re focusing on being more open minded and trying new things. If we’re walking around town for a morning cappuccino we’re vowing to try somewhere new and at lunch we’re ordering something on the menu that we would have never tried before. New experiences can bring about all kinds of discovery and growth, something we’re hoping to incorporate in our adventures of 2021.

Maybe the new thing you try will be horrible but you’ll never know until you try and you might just find some new favorites.

Give back to the local community

One helping hand can make a difference. Many helping hands can change the world. Another thing 2020 taught us was the power and importance of lending a hand if possible. We watched our communities and neighborhoods get together to support each other through hard times and it’s been inspirational. In 2021, we’re resolving to give back to the communities we’re visiting.

This can look like finding a local organization to volunteer with once at the destination or it can be as simple as packing some supplies for a local school.

Check out our guide to traveling to make a difference and how simple this can be by taking part in Pack for a Purpose

Plan in advance (if possible)

We just talked about being a little more spontaneous and open in 2021, but we’re also making a travel resolution in 2021 to plan in advance. These are totally opposite, of course, but the anticipation of fun things to come is something we hope to implement more of. Planning a trip doesn’t necessarily have to be a taxing or stressful experience.

Get in touch with us and we’ll take care of the nitty gritty details like booking hotels and activities. With the right help, planning a vacation can actually be enjoyable and stress-free.

Thailand honeymoon

Another advantage of booking a bespoke vacation with us is that we’re always on call to help you out should something stray from the plan. Canceled flight, rained out, rental car with a flat tire – we’re just a phone call or a text away while you’re on vacation.

What are your 2021 travel resolutions?

Making any 2021 New Year’s Resolutions related to travel? What’s on your destination wish list for vacation in 2021? We’re filling out our calendars for traveling in 2021 with hopeful anticipation of fun adventures ahead. If you’re looking to plan a trip this year, regardless of length of stay, budget, or nearness to home, let us know and we’ll take the stress out of planning!

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