Long Term Travel Facilitated by Storage in Ottawa

Have you ever thought of hitting the ‘pause’ button on your day to day life, taking off and travelling the world? Maybe you’re an empty-nester, downsizing homes and looking to do something more ‘exotic’ in the interim? Or perhaps you’ve just reached the Big “R” milestone: Retirement. What better way to reward yourself than to put in some time and space as you enter the next stage of life’s journey? Whatever your situation may be, if you find yourself in transition, renting a storage space in Ottawa could be a supporting player in your big decision to take some time off to travel.

Travelling for More than Just a Week or Weekend

Travel isn’t cheap. Some people are convinced that it’s out of reach, that it’s just a dream they may never realize. And the prospect of travelling for more than a long weekend – or maybe a week in the sun – is practically foreign for most people. It’s true, long-term travel isn’t for everyone. But for those with the “bug,” as it were, the kind of people who are wired for wanderlust, the prospect of an extended journey is an enticing one. Still, how do we make it happen?

“Travel is the best investment you can make in yourself.”

Before we delve into ‘how’ or ‘when,’ we should address “why.” Why should you travel? What’s the benefit of visiting different places? And what do you stand to gain from going “walkabout,” setting aside the time to take off and take in new lands, scenes and cultures? Well, in short, travel makes us richer – not financially, but emotionally and spiritually. Travel expands our horizons, and opens up our minds to new possibilities and different ways of looking at the world. According to National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, “Travel is the best investment you can make in yourself. It teaches you that there are many ways to live a good, fulfilled life. It broadens your world view, yet makes you appreciate home all the more.” An investment. That’s a great way to look at it, isn’t it? Like any other investment strategy, travel requires a plan, and it means making choices. If you’re willing to make the sacrifices and the commitment, long-term travel can be in your future. Let’s talk about how to get there.

Long-Term Travel: What It Might Look Like, How to Make it Happen

While this isn’t a piece about how to save up for a short getaway or a winter trip down south, some of the same principles do apply. What we’re talking about here, though, is an extended leave. The kind of travel that you’d do between jobs or projects, on a sabbatical, or in/upon retirement. More than likely, it would also take place after moving out of one home and before moving to the next (downsizing or relocation, for example); or be long enough in duration that you’d look to rent out your existing residence. In either of those cases, you’d want to put your belongings into storage – that’s where Acceptable Storage in Ottawa comes in, of course, but more on that later.

For those of you who are ready to travel now or very soon, you might want to skip down to the section on “As Your Goal Nears Fruition, How Do You Put the Plans Into Action.”

Dream Big, Then Set Goals and Priorities to Make That Dream a Reality

For those not ready to travel right now – and hey, that’s realistic, after all for many of us, it’s not like we can just pick up and leave our jobs or families – this section is for you. Now’s a great time! You have a wonderful opportunity to dream, to dare to think big, and then to set goals and priorities so that you can reach that dream. Imagine all the places you’d like to visit. The museums, history and culture of Europe? A safari in Africa? Teaching or volunteering in Southeast Asia or India? A sailing trip across the Atlantic or even around the world? Whatever it is that you want to do:

• The first step is to dream
• The next step is to write it down
• Step 3 is to map out when you want to go, and how you’re going to get there (financially, personally, etc.) – this is all about prioritizing
• The fourth stage is the longest – that’s all the years that you’ll be working towards your dream, making choices and sacrifices, probably adjusting and refining your goals along the way, ultimately nearing closer and closer to making that dream a reality
• Remember to quantify everything with finite parameters – Napoleon Hill said, “A dream is a goal with a deadline”

Some of the choices you’ll have to make along the way might not seem easy or ideal. With the right planning and strategy, however, the rewards can be great. So long as you keep your dreams and goals in mind, you won’t regret making the sacrifices of not dining out often, for example, not having the latest TV or smartphone, or not spending money on concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment options that tend to eat up budget quickly. There are many websites and books out there that specialize in advice on saving money and smart consumerism, frugal living, taking control of your finances, etc. The best advice we can give is to find the ones you feel most comfortable, take what they have to offer, then develop and fine-tune strategies with which you feel the most comfortable.

As Your Goal Nears, How Do You Put The Plans Into Action?

Let’s say you’re nearing your deadline and the goal of long-term travel is finally within reach. The job is ending, you’re getting set to retire or relocate, and you now have both the time and the money to make this happen. Congratulations! Your hard work is about to pay off. Here are your next steps:

• Are you selling your home? Or renting it out? If it’s the latter, consider either long-term leases through realtors or on 3^rd party websites; or renting more short-term through Airbnb, VRBO, etc.
• Decide how long you’ll be away for, and (yippee!) where you’ll actually go. Have fun in the planning process. Remember all those clichés? They’re pretty much true. You only live once. The world is your oyster. Life is short, so dream big.
• Once your travel plans are set, it’s time to decide what to do with your belongings. Take only what you’ll truly need! You won’t want to lug around heavy suitcases across the continent or around the world. Pack light. Remember, if you do ‘need’ or want something, eventually, chances are it will be available wherever you are. Meanwhile, the rest of your possessions can go into storage (if you’ve sold your home or ended your lease); or, if you’re renting out or subletting your residence, a hybrid of storage and ‘furnished.’ Don’t forget, this includes your car(s) and other vehicles, camper, boat, snowmobile, etc.

When it comes to storage, we’ve got many other articles on this site that you’ll find helpful.

Acceptable Storage Has Your Ottawa Storage Needs Covered

For the most convenient, hassle-free and cost-effecive storage solutions in Ottawa, get in touch with Acceptable Storage.