Travel While You’re Young: A Perspective from a Wife, Mother, and Early Retiree.

For years, I believed what so many of us are taught: work hard, raise your family, and then—when the kids are grown, and the nest is empty—you finally get to see the world. And I did all those things. I raised children. I was a devoted wife. I built a career that allowed me to retire early. I even adjusted to the silence of an empty home. But life, in all its unpredictability, had other plans.

I had unexpected brain surgery that completely shifted my perspective. And now, at 60, I travel with more intention but also with more limitations—more things to consider, more health checks, more insurance coverage, and a greater awareness that my body doesn’t bounce back like it used to. So, this blog post isn’t just travel advice. It’s a testament. A call to those who are younger, those who are waiting for the “perfect” time, and those who think they have all the time in the world.

1.  Youth Gives You Freedom—Use It While You Have It

There’s a freedom in youth that we don’t recognize until it’s behind us. The freedom to be spontaneous. To take red-eye flights and recover with a nap. To eat street food without worrying about acid reflux or gut sensitivity. Now, I plan my trips around rest days and physical therapy routines. I consider accessibility, travel insurance, and emergency health services abroad. None of these are reasons not to travel—but they are reasons I wish I had traveled more when I didn’t have to consider them.

2.  Raising a Family is Beautiful—but You Deserve Your Own Adventures Too

As a mother, I poured everything into my children. And I don’t regret it for a second. But in the process, I often put my desires on the back burner. We made beautiful family memories, yes—but I wish I had allowed myself a few more solo trips, a few more girl getaways, and more space to define myself outside the titles of “Mom” or “Wife.” Travel gave me that chance again—and it can be for you, too, even if you’re balancing a family. You don’t have to wait. Even short escapes can help you stay connected to who you are, not just who you serve.

3.  Health Is Unpredictable—Go While You Can

I never saw brain surgery coming. I didn’t see recovery coming. I didn’t see how it would change how I navigate airports, choose more comforting seating, manage jet lag, or weigh every decision about where I go and how I get there. It was a wake-up call. A reminder that your health is a gift, and it won’t always be guaranteed. You can always dream about Santorini or safari, but the ability to go is what matters. And if you’re young and able—go now. Go while the only thing you have to plan around is your PTO.

4.  You Don’t Need to “Deserve” Travel—You Need to Prioritize It

I once believed that travel had to be earned. After raising kids. After retiring. After doing all the things you’re “supposed” to do. But the truth is, travel isn’t a reward—it’s part of how we grow, evolve, and heal. I’ve had the luxury of seeing the world as a former international flight attendant and now as a woman entering her next chapter. What I know for sure is this: I never regret the trips I took—I only regret the ones I didn’t.

5.  You’ll Travel Differently as You Age—So Travel Boldly While You’re Young

Now, I travel with purpose. I don’t chase every photo op. I savor moments. I value peace over packed itineraries. But that’s because my life has shaped me into this kind of traveler. If you’re young, be bold. Take the 10-hour train ride. Sleep under the stars. Stay in a hostel once. Choose the red-eye if it means waking up in a new city. Do the things your body and mind might not welcome in 20 years. You’ll thank yourself later.

My advice now is not to wait until life settles — it never really does. Life doesn’t always go as planned. Kids grow up. Your health shifts. Unexpected things—beautiful and challenging—happen. But the world will always be waiting. So don’t wait for perfect timing, more money, or the illusion of “later.” I’ve learned through love, through motherhood, through healing, and now through maturity: if travel is calling you, answer while you still can sprint toward it.

Are you making time for travel or waiting for “someday”?  I’d love to hear your story. Let’s talk about how we can make travel a now thing—not a maybe thing. Drop a comment at EbonyTravelers.com, where we’re rewriting the rules on when and how we see the world—one journey at a time.