2021 New Year's Resolutions for Travelers

Happy New Year!

This has been a year to stay at home, and I didn’t travel except to be alone in nature (Big Bend in the fall and Hilton Head in the spring). I predict that traveling won’t be anywhere close to normal until late in the year (if even!), but there are always ways to find adventure and safe travel.

Related: 3 Days in Big Bend

Here are my traveling new year’s resolutions this year:

1. One international trip

   Because I travel slow, short trips out of the country haven’t really appealed to me. After feeling like I’d barely scratched the surface from 4 months in Copenhagen and 3 months in New Dehli, I doubted I could be satisfied with a 3 day trip to a completely foreign country.
   
   I’ve spent the last few years exploring multiple areas in the same regions in the US. —Doing solo road trips, and taking my time to explore. This year, though, I’d like to start a habit of making my way abroad at least once a year until I can explore other countries more extensively.
   
   I believe the world may be out of the woods with the COVID pandemic by fall of 2021, so I’m going to prepare a rough budget and keep my eye out for open destinations perfect for 1-2 weeks of slow travel abroad.

2. Explore Nature

   This year I realized what a real treasure state and national parks are, and how important they are to society. While caution is still necessary when traveling to these parks (lots of unmasked folks on trails when passing), I’m committing to visiting more parks and have the intention of hiking in at least 6 new parks this year.
   
   While visiting Big Bend National Park earlier this year, I had the chance to visit Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks. But they were both so crowded due to partial closure that I decided to pass completely. Stay safe!
   
   Regardless, setting goals to continue exploring our beautiful world in a safe way (ie alone or with your quaranteam) is a way to keep adventuring through this pandemic.
   
   You can also DONATE to the National Park Service, or buy a cool hoodie from the Parks Project.

3. Research and invest in quality traveling items

   Expensive checked luggage, quality shoes, and clothes that don’t suck - all things worth planning and saving for. You won’t need everything on every trip, but preparing to travel well definitely doesn’t happen overnight.
   
   Here are some ideas of important travel items to shop and save for:
   - checked luggage
   - carry on luggage
   - small formal travel purse, waterproof backpack, or flexible tote bag
   - quality dopp bag
   - waterproof walking shoes
   - quality formal shoes
   - rain coat
   - sweat wicking pants & tops
   
   This year, I spent some extra dollars on a quality piece of checked luggage, a nice rain coat, and supportive shoes. All completely worth it for future trips, and I saved money by waiting for Black Friday deals!
   
   Related: 6 Black Friday Buys to Consider

4. Read, Cook, and Stay Up to Date: Commit to exploring the world at home

   Becoming a world citizen means more than filling up a passport or bringing home meaningful trinkets from around the world. My plan is to read more by international authors, cook international recipes, and stay up to date with The Economist or an alternative.
   
   This year I’m planning to explore my heritage: Taiwanese and Czech, and my next potential international destination: Mexico! I’ve been consciously diversifying the authors I’m reading and I’m excited to be even more intentional with literature and understanding my culture.
   
   Otherwise, I’m going to try to learn 6 new international recipes and plan to read issues of TIME and Foreign Policy regularly.
   

   Related: Travel the World with Coffee + Food

What are you planning for next year?