Spontaneous:

Adjective; performed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus.

 Being spontaneous isn’t a characteristic that suits everyone. Spontaneity is scary. Fact; it scares your parents and you are already shivering thinking that your wallet could be heading down the drain.

Being spontaneous. It sounds nice. It gives you a sudden craving. It even sounds sexy.

It makes you wonder what it could be.

“A sudden impulse.”

Somewhere between rationality and spontaneity, you’ll find doubt, fear.

I’m spontaneous. Or impulsive. Let’s say that the reader picks. I guess it simply depends on whether you judge me or if you envy me.

My spontaneity made me a traveler, an adventurer.

Somewhere between temptation and action, you’ll have to make your mind up.

1. You are only a few clicks away from spontaneity.

What may seem too complicated is not necessarily so. Hello; are we still in the 21st century? As far as I know, there are a bunch of tools available online to help you plan your next adventure.

You just need to ask yourself a few questions;

  1. Where?
  2. When?
  3. How?
  4. What?

Once you have a rough idea where you would like to go, you pick the right time and book a flight, a bus, a train (or even pack your car)… What would you like to experience? To see?  Will you pitch a tent or will you find a nice room on Airbnb?

If it makes you smile and your wallet is still quite happy, then make it happen.

2. No need to be rich to be spontaneous.

Your wallet isn’t sure about this.  Fact; your wallet had a long conversation with the treasurer (and the brain) and he’s ready to start his rational speech.  Hold on; who said you needed to spend lots of money?  What about error fares, last-minute deals, couchsurfing?  Don’t you have friends across the globe?  Forget about the Maldives for a minute and take a plunge into the flexibility pool.  It might not be as turquoise as the Maldives water, but you won’t have to bore a hole in your pocket.

3. No backwash required.

You don’t need to call the ocean to wash away your job and your daily life to travel.  You could actually consider a weekend at the seaside with an ocean view. Your cat will probably find you less cruel that way. The long-term nomadic lifestyle is not necessarily suitable for everyone, but it still feels good from time to time.

4. Take a break from the square life.

Life in a cubicle … – Insert some deep (and loud) sighs here. When was the last time you lived in a window?  Especially, a plane one.  We all need vacations, a getaway. The busy organizer diary turns out to be the devil’s favorite toy. Do you live to work or do you work to live?

5. Stop planning. The less, the better.

You already plan enough of your daily life. You don’t need to plan your break on top of that. Adventure is materialized through spontaneity. It goes with the flow.  It doesn’t happen at 6.30 AM because you said so.  The best moments are usually unplanned.  It’s going to happen randomly, but it will.  Be that person without a plan; be that person who says yes.

6. Avoid the touristy path. Get lost.

Forget about the roads for a minute.  And take to the trails.  There are many more beautiful places to discover out there.  Don’t limit yourself to the touristy route.  The best scenes are usually far from the crowds and from the travel books.  Ditch your book and enjoy the views.

7. Pack light and join the team carry-on.

And you will save money.  Do you really need to carry 60 litres around?  Stop worrying a minute and focus on essentials.  Less packing rhymes with more fun.  You should know that he who packs lighter will also go further.

8. Overthinking kills your ambitions.

Do not panic; this should be fun.  Traveling without a plan shouldn’t be stressful. It should give you more opportunities, more flexibility.  Fair enough, you may have a rough idea of what your dream could be, but unless you need to, do not plan everything.   Prepare for the best by accepting the challenge.  Re-focus on your dream and ask yourself what you really appreciate through these fantasies. If you salivate while thinking about this potential freedom, do not let doubts take over.  Let go and let it be.

9. Wake up and live that dream.

If you want it, you can have it.  Walt Disney told us: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”  The only difference between you and I is the start.  When will you dare to start?

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015 and has been living abroad since 2014. Originally from Canada, she has embraced a digital nomad lifestyle, working online from various destinations worldwide. Melissa is passionate about travel, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit. Her extensive travels have taken her across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Currently, she resides in Thailand.


☑ Book your flight: Who said you won’t be able to find cheap flights? My top saving tip is flexibility. If you're flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight. Check out Skyscanner or Google Flights for the hottest deals.

☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

☑ Stay safe: Travel mishaps happen – so, better be safe than sorry by covering your back with travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing, Genki or Heymondo as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers.

☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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