In this generation, it becomes a superpower to be able to see through emotionally-loaded statements like, “Let’s get away,” or “Be a weekend roamer.” After all, the reason most of us spend our lives working long hours is that we are primed to pursue one luxury after another. What is a luxury more seductive than travel?

Sure, travel need not be expensive with the right research and road hacks. But it is often pictured as the miracle potion to relieve overworked yuppies of their stresses. A quick fix to escape life. If we look closer, most messages that persuade people to travel are mostly just an encouragement to keep buying things.

Truth is, happiness can’t be found in the next flight ticket or in booking a pricey hotel accommodation. The joys brought by our momentary vacations do not last. We can still end up hating our jobs and dreading our Mondays. If we wanted to change our lives, a swipe of a credit card won’t always be the answer.

Like any adrenaline-filled activity, it is spontaneity and risk-taking that make travel more memorable. But taking one too many “spontaneous” trips are far from being emotionally and financially sustainable.

Many times, I’ve ended up in my destination with zero knowledge of the place, just because I chose to travel on a whim. I’ve failed to pack weather essentials, to bring enough money for the entire trip, and to pick up some leads on how to get to nearby attractions. The lack of preparation in choosing to travel on impulse not only wastes the experience and hard-earned money, it can also put our lives in danger.

Planning trips means researching for the nuances of our destinations. This does not mean following strict itineraries and not making way for serendipitous meetings. It only means resisting instant gratification and leaving everything to luck.

By: Mr. Regie F. Atienza