Why I’ve Decided to Travel Full-Time
- Elisabeth Caraballo
- Sep 21, 2017
- 4 min read
Two years ago I began my career as a travel writer/photographer, with the goal of eventually traveling full-time, while also working remotely and continuing to follow my other life passions along the way. I knew I loved to travel, and I wanted to share my travel stories with the world in hopes of inspiring others to travel as well. Over the past two years I’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t work for me in my career field, and I finally feel I’m ready to take that next step and travel-full-time. It’s been a long road to get here- let me tell you- but it’s been a great experience at the same time. The last several months I’ve been planning and preparing for this new adventure, most importantly thinking about why I wanted to travel full-time in the first place...
Career
Everyone always has room to grow and learn in their career, no matter how long they’ve been working in their field. I’ve only been working in my field for a short time, and I know I have plenty of room to grow, and tons more to learn. As a travel writer/photographer and (as of April 2017) the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travel Pass, an independent online lifestyle magazine for travelers, I feel traveling full-time would benefit me so much; I will be able to sharpen my writing and photography skills, while making connections and networking with fellow travelers along the way.
Trying New Things
Travel allows you to escape into a new world, far from what you’re used to. You not only get to experience different places, you get the chance to try new things that you probably wouldn’t otherwise try. Traveling full-time will allow me to amp up my “trying new things” game; I love trying new foods, cultural/recreational activities, and going off the beaten path. Traveling will also allow me to try things I didn’t even know I wanted to try. You never know what you’re going to come across while you’re on the road.
Following My Passions
Even before I decided to start my career in travel, I was traveling. Traveling is very much one of my life passions, but it’s not the only one. I lived in several cities across the United States over the last 10 years or so, and each place allowed me to see what it is I’m truly meant to do with my life. I may be following my passions in writing, photography, and entrepreneurship, but I have so much more I want to do, and I’m not a person who limits themselves to doing just one thing with their life.
Living Life
I’m turning 30 this February and, although I have done a lot in my 30 years here on earth, I still have a lot more I want to accomplish. Besides, why not celebrate the end of your 20’s and the beginning of your 30’s by traveling full-time, and living all of your life passions at the same time!?
Now, I’m going to take this to a deeper level for a minute: I have had family members and friends pass away over the past several years who- although they lived amazing lives- never got the chance to live out all of their life passions, or travel to places they’d always dreamed of going. We never know when our time is up, but we can truly live our lives to the fullest every day; live our whole lives not only for us, but for those who never got the chance.
Finding a Home Base
Before I decided on traveling full-time, I had been thinking of moving to Southern California, creating a new home base for myself while still traveling part-time. Southern California has been on the top of my list of places to live for so long. However, since I have now decided to travel full-time, I want to give every location a fair shot at becoming the place I may one day call “home”.
I’m not sure how long I plan on traveling full-time; it could be 6 months, or a few years. Traveling full-time is not for everyone, and I’m used to traveling only part time or on holiday vacations, so, this will be a learning experience for me. However, I have traveled for weeks at a time, so I have confidence I can handle this full-time travel life. I’m not saying there won’t be obstacles along the way, but that’s part of life; you never know what’s going to happen. I personally know I won’t be traveling full-time forever, but for now this is what I’ve decided to do, and I will cherish every single memory I make along the way. I’m ready for this new, crazy life/travel adventure of mine!
Elisabeth is the Founder, Publisher, & Editor-In-Chief of Travel Pass Magazine. A native Kansan who has had a love for travel ever since her first trip to Disney World at four years old, and is an adrenaline junkie who will try almost anything once. She's a full-time adventurer living out all of her life passions. Check out more of her writing and photography at www.elisabethacaraballo.com.
