A worker in the tea fields of Mulanje, Malawi walks the paths with the mountains in the background

Don’t blink or you’ll miss it, but the new year is upon us and that means it’s time for everyone to sit down, dig deep, and come up with ways in which we can improve and grow during the year ahead.

I don’t know about you, but it feels good to put these resolutions on paper and then not-so-much to try to live and breathe the “new me” every day from then on. Things fall to the wayside, morning alarms go ignored, and the inevitable rat race of work returns.

My solution? Travel.

No, it’s not for everyone and yes, it can certainly be uncomfortable at times, but I guarantee that you will be able to accomplish a bulk, if not all, of the resolutions you have set for yourself by committing to explore the world in the upcoming year, whether it’s on the other side of the planet or in your backyard.

Here are 5 common New Year’s resolutions and how travel can help you to carry out them all!

1. EXERCISE MORE

Skiing in the Alps, walking along the canals of Venice in Italy, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro - it all sounds like exercise to me and if I’m being honest, far more exciting than walking on a treadmill.

I get it, those are only for a moment in time and work is calling, but let’s be honest: eventually, our brains will become used to the sunrise alarms that beckon our presence at the gym, sleeping through them without a second thought.

What are we supposed to do then? The answer is to change it up!

I bet waking up for a sunrise stroll up Cerro Ancon to look out across the Panama Canal would get the juices flowing. The best part is that it doesn’t even come close to feeling like exercise because it’s a new experience.

I understand that it’s often not possible to travel for extensive periods of time to truly accomplish a sustained exercise goal, but in the very least being active abroad can mix-up your routine and re-ignite that passion to exercise regularly once returning home.

Even if you’re unable to leave the country, try going for a walk through a part of town you’ve never been and explore something new. There are plenty of ways to accomplish this New Year’s resolution through travel!

View from atop Cerro Ancon in Panama City, Panama after a short hike from the roadside. This viewpoint overlooks the famous Miraflores Locks along the Panama Canal — View from atop Cerro Ancon in Panama City, Panama

2. LEARN SOMETHING NEW

This resolution is as simple or as complicated as you’d like to make it.

One of the reasons why the travel bug will forever be engrained in my DNA is the sense of challenge and accomplishment that comes with gallivanting around the globe.

Whenever I wake up in a foreign country and become engulfed by the fear of the unknown, there’s only ever one choice: learn something new to make it feel like home. Learn the public transit system. Learn the conversational parts of a local language. Learn how to grocery shop.

No, these aren’t necessarily lifelong skills that I’m going to take back to the comforts of my house, but I think the adaptability, flexibility, and determination needed to overcome these obstacles can only help to create lasting internal growth.

If something tangible is more your scene, don’t run away. There’s still an easy way to learn something new!

Make a concerted effort to enhance your photography skills as you go about your day-to-day life, whip up some homemade pasta under the tutelage of a master chef in Milan, or even kick off your martial arts career by taking a beginner class in Japan.

Quite honestly, this is the easiest New Year’s resolution to accomplish through travel because of the endless possibilities!

A photo of Seattle, Washington during my first trip with the sole purpose of learning about photography

3. SAVE MONEY

This one seems a bit counterintuitive, and I get it. There are all sorts of costs associated with getting out and seeing the world: flights, insurance, and luggage, just to name a few.

Saving money is geared more towards those embarking on a bit of slow travel in the year ahead and if that’s you then congrats — it’s time to pad your wallet… destination dependent, of course!

It’s no secret that the street food in Thailand is dirt cheap or accommodations in Central America are insanely affordable. Once actually on the ground at your destination, you’ll start saving on these basic needs and that leaves more leeway to explore and try something new which, conveniently enough, also checks of the New Year’s resolution we just covered above!

If slow travel isn’t in the cards, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of luck.

Start reflecting on your choices during the weekends or holidays off from work. Exploring the outdoors or even a mini road trip can help to keep costs low while simultaneously taming the nagging travel bug that lives inside all of us, at least for a short while.

Outside of a tank of gas, there’s minimal spending required which will help to keep more coin in the bank and allow you to plan that adventure abroad you’ve been dreaming about.

Sure hiking in your backyard isn’t roaming around New Zealand, but you’ll still get plenty of bang for your buck, not to mention the fresh air!

A hiker stops to admire Shellburg Waterfall in Oregon, USA, one of the most underrated waterfall trails in the area — Hiking in Oregon, USA

4. LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST

It’s important to realize that living life to the fullest looks different for everyone.

For me, some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had, such as chasing the Northern Lights in Finland or getting lost during a hike to find the Choclon Waterfall in Panama, are what have filled me up the most.

They have challenged me, opened my eyes, and, as a result, have left me walking away knowing that I’m a better person.

Is that the gold standard for everyone else? Absolutely not, but the thing is, how do you know what’s for you if you don’t try?

Part of living life to the fullest is not only about doing the things we know will fill us, but also putting ourselves in positions to try the things we’re unsure about.

So, here’s my challenge to you: get out and see the world, but force yourself to experience something new while doing it. It's the only way to truly learn what living life to the fullest means to you!

A hiker swims in the pools of Cascada Choclon in Boquete, Panama — Finding Choclon Waterfall in Panama was our “live life to fullest” moment this year

5. VOLUNTEER MORE

It’s always a struggle to find time to volunteer in everyday life, isn’t it? It’s not that you’re a bad person. It’s just that the one Saturday you have off is for relaxing.

It’s ok! There’s an answer to your problem and it’s a thing called voluntourism.

This new way of traveling has quickly become a booming industry, with thousands of experiences scattered across the globe that include everything from protecting sea turtles in Costa Rica to teaching recreational classes at a local school in Fiji.

You certainly don’t have to volunteer for your entire trip, maybe a day or two here and there, but it’s a great way to connect with the local culture, check this resolution off the list, and feel good about the impact that you’ll be leaving behind!

Although voluntourism is on the rise, it’s still important to do adequate research ahead of time as to the reputation of organizations that you consider working with. It’s sad to think about, but there are people who won’t hesitate to take advantage of not only the kindness of strangers but even the people who these programs are created to help.

That’s not to say don’t do volunteer abroad, just be sure to know who you’re doing it with. There are still plenty of reputable programs that could really use the support!

A volunteer greets a child at the Akatim Village School in Ghana, West Africa — A volunteer in Ghana with Aya, www.giveaya.org

So, what do you think? Is traveling in your cards for the year ahead? I hope so! Just remember that you don’t have to go far to accomplish these New Year’s resolutions. Simply get out and go explore… whatever that means, wherever it takes you, and however you get there!

Stay safe & happy travels, everyone.