​12 New Year Resolutions Ideas For Travelers

As we start a new year, it’s important to look forward and concentrate on the present as wel as the direction we want to take over the next year. We’ve come up with a few suggestions of 12 New Year's resolutions ideas for travelers, to get you in the right mindset and set you up for a positive, happy year ahead!

​​12 SIMPLE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS IDEAS FOR TRAVELERS

Getting out of your comfort zone

Humans are naturally attracted by things, people and places they are familiar with. This year, try to break the mold and aim for new experiences! It will not only help you open up to other people, cultures and experiences during your travels, but it will also enrich your life at home.

Make a list of things you would like to try over the next year, things that maybe you never had the guts to do, or never took the chance to attempt. There is no better time than the present! 

• Try new cuisines, whether it’s eating out or cooking at home.
• Take a hiking trip in a place you haven’t been before, maybe even take it up a notch and make it a camping trip as well.
• Vacation to a country you’ve never been.
• Plan your own trip rather than going to an all-inclusive resort.
• Learn something new, such as a new language or playing a musical instrument.
• Try a new activity, such as skiing, swimming, scuba diving or salsa dancing.

Require further specific inspiration? Have a look at these 20 ways to leave your comfort zone in Thailand or 5 adrenaline filled activities in South Africa.

Saving money

Anyone with the travel bug will tell you that the top reason they are not constantly out there is money. Unfortunately for most of us, money doesn’t grow on trees and we must work for it. Therefore, our travels rely heavily on the amount of money we are able to save (and the time we can take off, but that’s another story).

Saving money can be difficult, there are always unexpected expenses popping up at every corner. It’s hard enough to keep up with bills, regular expenses, pensions and other savings, without adding anything else, so the vacation fund gets neglected. Here are a few suggestions on how to make saving for a trip possible!

• Automatic savings: set up transfers to a savings account for each time you get paid (start as low as you want and increase as needed if you see that you can afford it). After a while you won't even notice it, and it will add up quickly in your savings account.
• Cut back on unnecessary expenses: do you still need that expensive TV package? What about that night out to the theatre every couple of weeks? You might have just as much fun staying in!
• Make a budget: it sounds basic, but this is the best way to determine if you’re overspending in any particular area. In any case, you will find out where your money goes and it will be easier to determine where to make cuts and save afterwards!

Looking for some travel destinations to inspire your adventures in the coming year?
​Have a look at these 10 reasons why you should visit Guatemala!

Documenting your travels

The intention to document a trip is always there, but we don’t always take the time to actually do it once we get home. Find a way that’s easy and fun for you and it will be more likely to get done. Besides, you’ll find that a well documented journal or album brings back more memories than an overpriced trinket you bought while you were away. Here are a few ways that we at The Dime Travelers like to do it – all you need as a prerequisite is lots of pictures and videos!

• Create an online album that you can share with friends and family. You can add pictures, videos, captions and little stories to personalize it!
• Start a blog! A blog is a great way to share your thoughts and experiences. There is no need to be fancy, there are a lot of really simple sites that will allow you to write your stories, post pictures and videos, and share it!
• Taking a journal with you is also a great way to make sure you remember every details of your trip. I enjoy doing sketches in mine and adding random Polaroid sized photos to personalize it.

Need help choosing an amazing, budget-friendly country to explore during this new year? Check out these 8 reasons why you should make Thailand your next vacation destination! 

In all seriousness, New Year resolutions do get a bad rep: “they don’t work” and “they make people feel inadequate if they can’t accomplish them”. However, the trick to making them work for you is to make sure they are achievable and realistic. Resolutions are simply goals that you set for yourself in order to get where you need to go. Start with a reasonable goal and adjust as much as you want, as often as you want; easy as that!

What resolutions have you set for yourself this year? Let us know below in the comments!

J&C