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Travel Things I No Longer Do Now That I'm Older: Lessons From a Seasoned Traveler
There's something about getting older that brings a bit of beautiful clarity to how you travel. Maybe it's the years of travel mistakes, or heck, getting lucky while traveling and realizing you accidently did something right. I've made the mistake of overpacking and having to lug heavy overstuffed suitcases around and I've even regretted wearing the wrong shoes for a day full of sightseeing. I mean, trading being comfy for being cute is a real thing! But travel looks different now. I feel like I'm starting to know how to travel best for me, or maybe it's just traveling smarter.
I used to pride myself on squeezing in the most for the least: the cheapest flights, the tightest itineraries, the "just in case" outfits stuffed into checked luggage. But with age has come wisdom {and to be honest, a little more disposable income!}, and now I travel in ways that feel more sustainable, enjoyable, and aligned with how I want to experience the world.
Here are a few things I no longer do when I travel now that I'm older, and what I've chosen instead.
Travel Things I No Longer Do Now That I'm Older: Lessons From a Seasoned Traveler
1. I No Longer Choose the Cheapest Flight-Now I Choose Direct Flights
When we were younger are more strapped for cash, especially when traveling with our family of five, I would do anything to save money on one of the most expensive parts of travel: the flights. We'd wake up at ungodly hours for an early departure or have a 14-hour travel day just to save $50! Back then it felt a little bit like an adventure or at least a rite of passage.
But you know what, now I want ease. I want to start my trip feeling rested and not having to recover from a travel day. A direct flight may cost more, but it saves my most valuable resource: time. Fewer layovers mean fewer chances of missed connections, lost luggage, or travel delays and it makes our travel to the destination that much easier.
Now I weigh convenience higher than price. I still look for deals {because once a budget traveler, always a budget traveler}, but I prioritize flights that will get me there smoothly. If a nonstop flight is available, you better believe that's the one I'm taking, even if it costs a bit more.
2. I No Longer Check Bags-Now I Only Take Carry On!
There's a special kind of freedom in walking off a plane and heading straight to your destination without waiting at the baggage carousel or worrying that your luggage didn't make the transfer.
Remember the days when literally NO ONE took on a carry on bag? You got 75 pounds of free luggage, so why not use it? I used to overpack. I told myself that I needed options. Backup outfits, extra shoes, "just in case" toiletries, and enough outfits a Kardashian would have been put to shame! But now I pack with intention. A well-planned carry-on gives me everything I need and nothing I don't.
I consider it a successful trip if I've worn and used everything in my bag. It's almost a bit of a challenge.
Packing lights isn't just about convenience, it's also about travel flexibility. I can easily climb up and down stairs with my bags and not have to wait for elevators. I've never worried that my bag won't fit in the trunk of an Uber or when traveling on public transit. I rarely wish I had more stuff and often am so grateful for how much time I save in transit because I'm not waiting on baggage carousels or in line at the counter to check a bag or for an elevator.
3. I No Longer Pack Stand Alone Outfits-Now Everything in Interchangeable
This change has been a game-changer. I am so much more intentional with how I pack. I used to pack full outfits-top, bottom, shoes and accessories-that only worked together. If I wore the pants from one outfit, I couldn't wear the shirt from another. My suitcase was a mismatched jigsaw puzzle of one-time looks.
Now, I think in layers and coordination. I choose clothing that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits from just a few pieces. If I can't wear something, especially shoes, more than once, it's not getting packed!
Now I actually pack less but have more choices in what I'm wearing. Bonus, it's much easier to get dressed in the morning when everything works together too!
Pro Tip: Don't be too precious about the clothes that you do pack! I often pack items I purchase second hand knowing I'll wear them and likely leave them behind to make room for souvenirs while I'm traveling.
4. I No Longer Eat Out For Every Meal-Now I Grocery Shop and Cook
To be fair, I am not a self described foodie. Trying new foods is a fun part of travel for me, and I love discovering a local bakery or having a memorable dining experience, but I've learned that eating out for every meal becomes exhausting and expensive to me. I know this one might ruffle some feathers, but I am happier if I'm not eating out every meal.
I love popping into local grocery stores and finding fresh produce and snacks. I've learned that staying at an Airbnb or VRBO is a fun way to get a real feel for an area and to feel like a local. Most have basic cooking supplies that will allow me the flexibility of cooking a light dinner or preparing food for breakfast or even a picnic lunch if we are on the go.
I don't feel like I miss out on the food scene either. I feel like it's a way to create balance. I've popped into grocery stores in the middle of the Amalfi Coast and we've had the most memorable lunch during an epic hike. I've also found local bakeries and gotten fresh breads and paired them with delicious food from the local grocery and eaten them from our balcony while people watching. I think some of those meals are just as memorable as a restaurant meal and often even more relaxing.
5. I No Longer Travel Without Doing Laundry-Now I Plan Stops to Do It!
In my younger travel days, the idea of doing laundry on vacation just seemed like I was bringing work from home. But now I see it as a trade off that offers some big returns. I can pack for weeks at a time with a carry-on knowing that I'll have the ability to do laundry at some point through the trip.
Many accommodations offer laundry services, or I choose places with washers that are available. There are some countries where it's more affordable to send it out. There are other places, it's easier to book an Airbnb with a washer and do it there. I also often do sink laundry when needed. These are my favorite washable underwear. I almost always wash those while traveling!
A quick laundry day refreshes my wardrobe and lets me pack fewer items overall.
6. I No Longer Schedule Everything-Now I Leave Room for Spontaneity
I used to fill every day of travel with activities, sights, and experiences. I didn't want to miss anything. But in trying to see everything, I'd often feel like I enjoyed the experience less.
I intentionally build in downtime. I leave gaps in my itinerary for wandering, people-watching, or activities that I may not have researched but that come up in my travels. I try to create a list when I travel of the things to do in an area, booking the ones that often get booked out ahead of time, but leaving the other activities and revisiting them to see what I'm in the mood for during the time I'm there. Sometimes a lazy morning is what feels right in the moment.
This kind of travel lets me really soak a place in. It turns travel from a checklist into an experience and honestly, we've had some of the most incredible experiences by being flexible. In Ireland we happened into a pub during a fundraiser. Some locals sat at our table and we spent time chatting them up before they asked us if we'd like to join them for an evening of trad music. They bought of pints of Guinness and we sat in a pub filled with locals getting all the recommendations of their favorite spots in the area that we incorporated into our travels the next day. That's how you find the real hidden gems.
7. I No Longer Travel to Do It All- Now I Travel with Purpose
I feel like there's a bit of a competition to travel and check places off a list. I wanted to "do" a country, see the sights and check it off the list. But I quickly learned that I enjoy the slower pace of travel.
I'm more interested in understanding a place than in seeing every landmark. I'll skip a big attraction if it means I can have a more meaningful connection elsewhere.
This shift has made travel more rewarding. It's not about trying to check places off of a list or keeping track of a country count, it's more about deeply experiencing each location I visit.
Getting older has changed the way I travel, and the way I think about travel, in the best possible way. I travel with more confidence, more intention, and a deeper experience for the experiences I create. It's less about fitting in as much as possible, and more about connecting to the people, places and the purpose of my journey.
You don't have to wait to get older to travel like this! But I'll admit, getting older does bring some pretty great travel wisdom.
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