2015 will be full of amazing opportunities and you know it! That includes pulling out that resolutions list to cross off what we’ve accomplished and add our new goals for the new year.
When it comes to travel, some of the top resolutions are to learn a new language, do something adventurous, take better pictures, and of course travel somewhere new. But, as you all know, when March and April roll around most of those New Year’s resolutions have been given up on or forgotten all together. Not to worry, it is possible to keep them all the way until December. So, if you’re hoping to reach your goals for traveling in 2015 here are a few tips to get you there in the new year.
Do something adventurous
This one is the easiest to complete, yet so often it never gets crossed off our list. Doing something adventurous the next time you travel doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to zip line through the jungle in Costa Rica, although it’s definitely an option. Simply trying an exotic food on a family vacation, or even taking your first solo trip can be an adventure. Anything can be adventurous as long as it gets you out of your comfort zone. And really that’s what traveling is all about, opening yourself up to new places and opportunities.
Learning a new language
This one has definitely been at the top of many resolution lists for years. There are tons of programs and apps for language learning, like Rosetta Stone or the Language Learning Center that you can download to your laptop. These programs are structured and easy to follow, so you’ll definitely learn everyday vocabulary and phrases. They also take time and persistence, and in order to really learn to speak another language you have to keep practicing. The best way to learn a language, however, is to immerse yourself into that culture. If you can spare a couple of weeks to a month, I’d definitely recommend booking a flight and spending some time with native speakers. Ordering lunch, or even a simple conversation at a café with locals will go a long way with your language speaking skills.
Take better photos
When traveling to new places, it’s always tempting to take thousands of photos. We want to be able to capture the beauty of the places we visit so that we can share what we’ve seen with our friends and family. But when you come back from your trip with 50 photos of the Eiffel Tower, most of which are blurry or you aren’t even in, you haven’t really captured the memories from your trip. So this year, when you whip out your camera, think quality not quantity. Instead of taking a picture of just the Eiffel Tower, consider taking a picture of you walking up to it, or even a video of your reaction when you first see it. Candid photos are the best! You may not be looking at the camera, but it is more likely that these photos will do a better job of capturing a moment than your everyday pose.
Travel to somewhere new
Of course, we all want to travel to places we’ve never been before. My next dream destination is Beijing, China since I’ve always wanted to experience Chinese culture and traditions. But between work, school, and all our other constant activities, it’s sometimes hard to believe that such a trip would be possible. As a result, most of us end up going to the same places for vacations every year. The best way to get out of your travel rut and explore new places is to just say YES and start planning. Once you’ve booked your flight and hotel, there are tons of travel guides that will help you see the most of your destination, even if you’re only there for a day.
If you still feel like visiting your dream destination is a little out of your reach, there are still many new places you can visit without even leaving your state or country. The reason why traveling somewhere new is a top New Year’s resolution is because it allows us to get out of our comfort zone and have new experiences. And life is all about the experiences you make. Whatever your New Year’s resolutions may be, the best way to cross them off your list is to jump right in. Make a plan for what you want to do and how you’ll do it, and stay determined. At the end of 2015, you’ll be so glad you did.
