They say travel is good for the soul. It’s important to escape your hometown, experience new things, and take time away from everyday life. But when you’re deep in the throes of a busy career, scheduling a long trip might seem like more of a hassle than it’s worth – especially when you could just wait until you’re retired to see the far-off places you’ve always dreamed of.
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It’s a conundrum a lot of people face at this stage of life. Once your kids are old enough that you’re able to take off for a couple of weeks without worrying about leaving them behind, it can be tempting to put in for vacation time and start crossing different destinations off of your bucket list. But should you take those big trips in your 50s? Or wait until you’re done with work for good?
The case for waiting
If you’re someone with a busy job, you know full well that a single afternoon out of the office could mean coming back to a loaded inbox and a pile of paperwork. Now, multiply that by a weeks-long vacation. Even if you’ve accrued the time off to take a two- or three-week break from work, you’ll need to ask yourself if the misery of having to play catch-up is worth it. Travel is all about new experiences, but it’s also supposed to serve as a mental break. But if the idea of going away seems more stressful than relaxing, it may not be worth it.
Also, there are some parts of the planet that are difficult and expensive to reach. Do you really want to be limited to only a couple of weeks there? In retirement, you could hole up in whatever corner of the world you want for months at a time. There’s no job to hold you back. And you may find that far more desirable and rewarding.
The case for taking the trip now
If you’re in your 50s, you’ve probably slowed down a bit compared to your 20s. Maybe you need more sleep and don’t have the stamina to hike for four days straight like you did a few decades ago.
But chances are, your health is better now than it will be 10 years from now. Age has a way of catching up with us. And the last thing you want is for health or mobility issues to get in the way of the dream trip you kept postponing.
In a 2024 survey by MedicareFAQ, 58% of respondents said they wish they’d traveled more before retiring. If you’re someone who works hard to earn a nice living, you deserve to spend some of your money on experiences you’re eager to have. Delaying a big trip until retirement could mean missing out in some regard. Even if you get to reach your destination, you risk not being able to physically do the things you always wanted to.
Plus, let’s face it. We don’t know what the world will look like in 10 years from now. Climate change might render one of your top destinations off limits. Or, it might turn it into a dud. It’s not so fun to visit a park known for its breathtaking glaciers when they’ve mostly melted. It’s also hard to know what the political climate will look like a decade down the line. Parts of the world that are accessible to us now could be closed off for a host of reasons.
The upside of traveling now is that you have the opportunity now. It may come with delayed project deadlines, missed emails, and other professional repercussions. But are you going to lose your job because you actually took your vacation time? Probably not. Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer. Think through the pros and cons, and you’ll hopefully reach a decision you’re happy with.
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