The problem is you think you have time – Buddha [Tweet this]
I read this quote yesterday and it’s spent the last twenty four hours resonating within me. We all think we have time. We can go on that trip next year, we can tell that person we love them tomorrow, or maybe we can quit our jobs we don’t love and start doing what we do love… some day. We’ve got time, there’s no rush.
If you’ve been dreaming of Ha Long Bay, or visiting the Plitvice Lakes, or seeing the best of Bangkok, then you need to start working towards it. For most people, especially those that read this blog, travel is a priority – but often there’s something getting in the way, something holding you back.
I meet so many people who tell me I am so lucky to have traveled and how much they wish they could do it too. The truth is, luck had nothing to do with it – long term travel is cheap and if you come from a first world country then there are barely any barriers preventing you from exploring the world, except for the trickiest barrier of all: you.
How would you be spending your days if you knew you were running out of time? Would that change anything for you?
If my clock was up, I’d have a few travel regrets, but most of all I’d be sad I hadn’t seen more of my own country. People travel to the end of the earth to see New Zealand, and I’m embarrassed there are big gaps in where I’ve been. Part of the reason I haven’t spent more time exploring New Zealand is because it’s, quite simply, more expensive than most other places I could visit. The other reason is because I feel like I have forever to do it, there’s no rush, I’ll get around to it someday.
But the truth is, time isn’t promised to you. There’s no guarantees, no number of years allotted to you.
I’m taking New Zealand off the backburner, and my goal is to explore my own country through the eyes of a tourist.
So, the problem is you think you have time – what would you do if today was your last day?
And where should I go first?
Greymouth.
Haha, I did that once. Enough.
such a great post. good for you to explore your own country as a tourist. i cannot suggest anything as i’ve never made it to New Zealand – YET!
I’m a New Zealander and haven’t seen much of New Zealand either. I used to feel guilty/embarrassed about this but I don’t anymore as I’ve realized there are other places I’m more interested in (just personally). I love that visitors seem to love New Zealand so much though!
We should go somewhere together!!!
Yes! Even a day trip would be nice 🙂
I hate to think about it, but it is so true that we never know how much time we have left to do the things we love. I also want to see more of my home country (the U.S.) but can’t give you any ideas for NZ because I haven’t been there yet!
Wow! I am so intimidated by traveling the US. I’d love to rent a camper van and just spend a few months exploring it – what little I’ve seen was absolutely beautiful, especially San Diego.
Te Uruwera National Park – amazing scenery around Waikeremoana and it’s unlike anywhere else I’ve been in the country.
One of the other best “touristy” trips I’ve taken in NZ was visiting historic sites around Northland – the old churches and mission stations that span from Russell to the Hokianga. My friend really enjoyed it too, even though she isn’t a history nerd like me.
I’ve seen most of the North and South Islands, but there is always room for more with beautiful NZ. I would like to do more of the West Cost of the SI. 🙂 Great post as always, Iz x
Yeah, the West Coast is beautiful! I think you’ve actually probably seen more of NZ than I have… embarrassing.. oh well I can catch up 😉 x
Absolutely love this quote Izy. A few months ago someone that I used to work with shared an article on Facebook. I think it was from The Economist or some financial journal like that. The article was all about how the idea that Life Is Short, is actually a lie and that people who act on it by doing something crazy like, oh I don’t know, quit their jobs and travel the world, are making a huge mistake. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. On the one hand I understand that MOST people will live to become 70 but is their a guarantee? No way. Also, how many of those people passed 60 are even fit enough to travel to where they want? Not many. Great post and I completely agree with you, “Time is not promised to you”
Haha we must both be crazy then, right? I’d rather be “crazy” than stuck in some crappy dead end job wasting my prime years getting RSI and being stuck in long commutes.
Yup, we’re crazy!