Traveling in my 20s vs 30s
Non-negotiable travel essentials and practices in my 30s
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The idea for writing today’s essay came when I told my partner, “I need to order compression socks for the flight.” I turned 34 this March, and the back pains, leg swelling, and all other aches are starting to creep up on me. It made me reflect on how traveling practices and rituals also evolved as I grew older.
Travel has always been a big part of my life, but the way I plan and go on trips has definitely changed. My priorities, comfort level, and energy for certain activities have shifted.
What I wanted out of a trip in my 20s was completely different from what I look for now. Then, travel felt like an escape. I was hungry to see the world. It was about freedom—the thrill of booking a ticket with either no plans or a fully-packed itinerary, staying in budget accommodations and saying yes to some crazy experiences. It felt so amazing waking up in a new city and wandering without a map. How I survived without Google Maps, I don’t know!
As someone who lived in the backpacker’s paradise—Southeast Asia—I didn’t have to spend much to explore. But, at the same time, I wouldn’t usually go somewhere for months at a time. My trips were mostly weekenders when work allowed. I thrived on cheap street food in Bangkok, rode a moped to explore Bali, got lost in Hong Kong’s nightlife, burned in Singapore’s heat, and a lot more. It was the best era of my life.
It didn’t matter if I was exhausted or uncomfortable, sleep could wait. I wanted to see everything, do everything, and feel everything. My was energy limitless. I’d dance and drink until morning and then desperately chase the next destination.
Now that I’m older, travel feels different—not less exciting, but more meaningful. I still love adventure, but I no longer feel the need to run myself into the ground chasing it. Instead of rushing through places, I slow down. Even when I traveled solo last year, I made sure to spend extra time in one place and really soak it in.
I’ve traded budget hotels for mid-range hotels with amenities and red-eye flights for more convenient flights. Comfort has become part of the experience, mainly to soothe the body aches. I don’t recover as well as I used to. So now, the itinerary has dedicated days for doing nothing, enjoying the hotel, wandering aimlessly, or returning to my favorite spots.
My focus has shifted from ticking places off a bucket list to making meaningful connections with people and places. Definitely quality over quantity, and I also acknowledge that having more income factors heavily into this shift. No matter how my style changes, the thrill of experiencing new places and cultures will always be there—it just looks a little different now.
Non-negotiable travel practices in my 30s
Safety and convenience as priorities. I’d pay extra for some things because I don’t want the added stress. For example, using luggage forwarding services in Japan rather than dragging suitcases on public transport.
Dedicated travel days with no agenda, and just prioritizing rest and recovery, especially when it involves time zone changes.
Always have travel and health insurance. I got incredibly sick once while on holiday and paid so much in hospital fees.
Booking cancellable and refundable stays whenever possible. Plans could change.
No sharing rooms with strangers. Finding me in hostels used to be rare even back then, and now it’s just a no. I also rarely stay at Airbnbs. They are sometimes not as flexible as hotels, don’t have amenities, and ask customers to clean despite charging a cleaning fee.
Packing light, wearing comfy shoes, and no rucksacks unless absolutely necessary (ie. going for a hike).
How have your travel practices and rituals changed over the years? Share your stories in the comments.
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I see your wings and i raise you two!