In my opinion, there are far too many articles out there encouraging people to quit their jobs and set off on an endless round-the-world adventure. While that may be an enticing goal for some people, I know that this is not a realistic option for most. For those of us with a case of wanderlust who also want to keep the stability and financial comfort of a paying job, there’s an answer: Short term travel.

By creatively using your vacation days and holidays, you can still travel while holding down a job. If you’re on the fence about quitting your job to travel, don’t turn in your two-weeks notice just yet! Here are some of the benefits of short term travel!

You Don’t Have To End Your Relationships

I’ve also heard much debate about people feeling like they have to choose between travel and their personal relationships. When you travel short term, you don’t have to make that decision. If you’re jetting off for a two-year adventure, odds are this will put a serious strain on your relationship. But taking a one or two week trip away from your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse can actually strengthen your relationship. As they say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I love my hubby, but traveling is not only good for my own health and personal growth, but it gives us the space to miss each other.

Have a Warm, Cozy Home-Base

Now, I love travel big time. But I’m also a total home-body. I love that feeling of coming home and slipping into my bed, which has the soft sheets I like, with the pillow that’s just right for me, and the mattress comfort level that I like. There’s nothing like the familiarity and routine of home, and traveling short term means I can still enjoy that familiarity. Not to mention, I have a great place to keep all the cool souvenirs I pick up on my travels.

You Can Have Pets

Much like getting to enjoy a home and your relationships, traveling short term means you can enjoy the wonders of pets! You’ll need to make proper arrangements for their care when you are away, but it is super rewarding to come home to their loving little faces. There’s just nothing compared to that feeling of when you come home to your dog and it’s just so happy to see you that it’s little tail wags uncontrollably and it yips and barks with joy that you’re home. 

Start A Family

Short term travel also allows you to have a family! I know plenty of travelers that still see the world while they have spouses and kids. Even better, you can bring your family along on your travels for some epic family vacations that your kids will remember forever! Maybe it will even teach them some great things they wouldn’t get to learn at home or in a classroom.

Avoid Travel Burnout

Many of the long-term traveling bloggers I follow have described this phenomenon they refer to as “travel burnout.” This is essentially when they have traveled so much they’ve exhausted themselves and the excitement of travel has faded. This is often due to repeatedly facing culture shock, and not having a daily routine. At this point, many people have to take a break to refresh themselves.

This doesn’t happen often when you travel short term. Because you get a dose of “at home time” in between your travels, each trip is a new and exciting adventure, rather than just moving on to a new place.

Keep Your Stuff

A big part of the long-term travel fantasy is that people sell all of their belongings, officially letting go of the lives they’ve built themselves. But when you travel short-term, you don’t have to go through the hassle of selling everything or having to find suitable storage. Sure, you can still part with some home items to help pad your travel fund a bit, but you don’t have to get rid of every little thing you’ve worked to buy for yourself.

Think of how proud you were to buy your first piece of real adult furniture. Do you really want to sell that bit of your history? Or what about important family heirlooms? I don’t trust storage facilities to keep my antiques safe!

Don’t Have to Say Goodbye to Things That Bring You Comfort

We all have things in our hometowns and countries that bring us comfort and give us that happy home feeling. When you travel short-term, you don’t have to say goodbye to these things. You don’t need to say you parting words to your favorite candy bars, to Taco Bell, or to flush toilets. At the end of your travels, you can still come home and have these comforts.

Long-term travelers have to convince their friends and family at home to send them comforts via mail. And then face the disappointment that the boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese they were mailed only taste like the dryer sheets that were also in the mail. Short-term travelers will never have to experience this kind of raw heartbreak.

Pack Lighter

When you don’t have to cram a backpack full of things you need on a long-term basis, you are able to pack much lighter. This can help save money by allowing you to travel carry-on only. Also, when you travel short term, you are less likely to need to pack for varying weather and climates. You won’t need all your winter gear for just a two week trip to South East Asia. But if you’re taking off long term, you have to bring everything everywhere!

READ » 13 Reasons Carry On Travel is the Bomb Diggity

Save Money On Travel Gear

Because you don’t have to pack for long term travel, there are certain pieces of travel gear that you don’t need to purchase. Your luggage itself will probably cost less, because you don’t need it to hold a months-worth of stuff. You also won’t need things like large bottles of your favorite shampoos and beauty products, your year’s supply of contact eye lenses, and ladies don’t need a huge supply of feminine products to last them their trip. You can also save on travel insurance for your electronics by just not bringing them. 

Don’t Worry About Overstaying Your Travel Visa

For many long-term travelers, knowing all the visa rules and regulations is important. Travelers can be hit with some hefty fees or be banned from re-entering a country if they overstay their may time. Sometimes they’ll even have to go on a “visa run,” where they leave a country for a few hours or days and then re-enter, thereby resetting the clock and renewing their travel visa. Those who enjoy short term travel rarely have to deal with such annoyances.

Don’t Miss Out On Holidays or Family Milestones

Family is very important to me. I can’t imagine not being surrounded by family on important holidays, or missing out on things like weddings, milestone birthdays, or even the funeral of a loved one. You don’t have to worry about potentially dropping a thousand or so dollars to fly home for a family emergency.  Being a short term traveler means you don’t have to miss out these important occasions. 

I love that I can be home to watch my young nephew grow up and get to know him, while still getting time to travel the world, short term. I love getting to drop in and see my family and catch up with my mom whenever I want. I love that I can tag along on last-minute family vacations. Long term travelers seldom get opportunities like these.

If you’re not so keen on quitting your job, selling all your things, and embarking on a never-ending journey, then short term travel is for you! You can fit shorter trips into your schedule and keep all the things that bring you comfort. Being a short term traveler doesn’t make you any less of an adventurer, so own your job, family, and home life while also exploring the world!

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