Most of us have been looking forward to 2021, hoping it will be the year we can travel and explore the world again. We have all made sacrifices this year for the best of our community; the lockdowns, the self-isolation, the travel bans… yes, there was a need for them then, and now. And when things do return to normal (hopefully soon) we will appreciate the joy of travelling even more! So, how can we make the most of it when the time comes?
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP
A great way to celebrate a return to normality is planning a beautiful experience you may not have planned otherwise. Maybe it’s time to finally book the holiday of a lifetime! Maybe, you should take a leap and book a flight to that destination you have been dreaming of for a long time. There’s never been a better time to book a once-in-a-lifetime trip than 2021! Covid-19 vaccines are thankfully here and so it is possible to dream again of a time we can move around countries freely, safely and without worries. And, with the money you may have saved over the past year, perhaps you have the means to go all out!
How to make the most of a return to normal life in 2021?
As the year 2020 draws to a close, I wanted to share with you some truly worthwhile and encouraging advice; and also give you a few ideas for moving forward and enjoying your time with your loved ones in the best possible way. A new time of travel can also mean a new, renewed shift in focus. What are the things that are important to you and hold meaning in your life?
Consider Your Future Plans
Considering your future plans is valuable and so is taking important decisions in your life. Perhaps it is time to act on ideas you have had in your mind for a while. It can be that instead of simply planning travel expeditions, you begin to enroll in the process to help extend your UK spouse visa, ensuring you gain 30 more months in the country that you love. Perhaps it is time to curate a travel journey to visit your friends and family across the country or the continent (when it is safe to meet again). After a year of staying distant, it will be wonderful to meet and embrace them once more. Perhaps it is time to look for a new job, a new challenge, a new home. Whatever you wish to change in your life, the time to plan for it is now.
Shift your focus towards challenging “life efforts” and lifestyle changes. You will gain the strength, confidence and structure from which to plan even more travel experiences.
Supporting Struggling Businesses
Many businesses have struggled to stay open during 2020’s harsh (but necessary) lockdowns, and of course, travel-focused and tourist-reliant businesses have surely suffered the most. This means that supporting struggling business, for example landmarks that are reopening, London restaurants that rely on tourists, your local cafés or independent shops. You might want to – as soon as it is allowed to travel again – visit holiday destinations in the UK that have had their summer income completely drop off.
All of this can make a massive difference to small business owners who are struggling with the economic crisis and the lockdowns. As parts of the UK and Europe are closed down, enduring new lockdowns, it’s really important that we show our support to local businesses. For sure, you will get more for your money thanks to this supportive attitude. It’s rare you find a win-win, but this has to be one.
Ticking Off Your Bucket List
Ticking off your bucket list can be a great idea. Many of us have realized that life and time waits for no one this year, and that can mean moving forward! But enjoying your best travel experiences, those experiences that are in front of you, requires planning. It’s very easy to think of your bucket lists as a meta-goal, one that overrides everything, but still one you’ll get to “eventually”. With the same spirit of adventure I embraced when I decided to leave London for two months to live the digital nomad life in Ubud, you can also accomplish your dreams next year!
If you can tick this effort from your bucket list in 2021, odds are you will move forward in your life with a real sense of enthusiasm, once again picked up from taking nothing for granted.
With this advice, we hope you can make the most of a freer, happier, more open, more celebratory 2021.
Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.
