5 Easy Ways to Make Backpacking Harder Than it Should be

Photo from Flickr by: R_x - renee barron

1) Fall in love

Holiday romances are great. But meet someone special while you’re backpacking and before you know it you’ll be cutting your trip short and making plans to live in a rustic cabin on the Norwegian fjords. It’s great to meet special people but if you change your travel plans – or even worse, ditch your mates – then you’ll most likely live to regret it. Stay on course. If it’s true love, you’ll be able to work it out when you’re home.

2) Don’t take enough money

Doing fun stuff around the world costs money. Quite a lot of it, in fact. Yet gazillions of backpackers seem to forget this. It’s great to find bargains on flights, travel insurance through comparison sites like http://www.comparethemarket.com/travel-insurance/ and the rest, but you need enough money to enjoy yourself while you’re on the road. Save twice what you think you’ll need so you won’t be counting each single penny while you’re away.

3) Be too nice

‘Going to the beach today? Cool, I’ll come with you. Hey, maybe we can share a room together too?’ Urm…no. Sometimes when travelling you can find yourself hanging out with someone you don’t really like, secretly hoping that someone more interesting will come along soon. Fact: the people you like least will be the ones who want to be your friend the most. Don’t be afraid to tell new acquaintances that you’re happier on your own, no offence, like.

4) Call home too often

Calling or Skypeing home every few days will make you miserable. Of course you miss your friends and family. But if something interesting or important happens, they’ll call YOU. Enjoy the freedom of cutting yourself off from the real world for a while and having no one in the world know exactly where you are from one day to the next.

5) Complain

The buses are old and uncomfortable. It’s too hot and you’re thirsty. The food isn’t like what your mum makes. Ssshhhh. PLEASE. You’ve left home to experience new things so don’t whine when you realise that yes, in fact, things aren’t the same as back home. Savour it, smile, and do everyone a favour and keep your grumbles to yourself.

Aaron Bradford has written 386 articles. +Aaron Bradford is the leader, mentor and chief geek of HappyTimeblog. He put together the crack team of writers known by codename “The Firm“. He's a permanent traveller and a lifestyle hacker. Wanna know more? Check out my Bucket List or my About page... I'm here to show you how to live a Life Less Ordinary