We're constantly told travelling in our early twenties is one of the best experiences to take advantage of. But what happens if you missed the boat (literally) and while your friends went on their round-the-world adventure, you joined the rat-race?
No longer the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed first-jobber, you're wondering if it was the right decision and wishing you had more stories starting with: "This one time, when I was travelling in...".
Never fear! Rhiannon Davies gives you five reasons why travelling gets even better after your early twenties...
1) The challenge
If switching from Starbucks to Nero coffee is your idea of "mixing it up", perhaps it's time you admit things have got a bit humdrum. Give yourself the challenge of planning your trip and then sit back and be inspired by the things you see along the way.
2) More disposable income
Travelling as a graduate is often extremely limited financially. Translated, that means staying in "budget" 18-bed dorms where the phrase "don't let the bed bugs bite" takes on a new, literal meaning. Travelling later in life means not only do you have more money to spend on attractions and food (no Pot Noodles for you!) but it also means affording to stay in places where you won't feel the need to get a tetanus shot afterwards.
3) It's sociable
Going from university to a full-time job can be a huge shock to the (social) system and before you know it, all of your friends are from work. And all you do is talk about work. With other people who are bored at work. Remember when socialising didn't mean a few glasses of house in the pub closest to the office? Travelling is a great place to meet new people you'd never would normally (hangover optional) and start making friends based on common ground (not proximity) again.
3) You're not tied into a mortgage
Let's be honest, there's nothing financially binding keeping you here. As it becomes increasingly difficult to get onto the housing ladder, more and more of us are not getting our first mortgage until our early thirties. And terminating a lease with one or two month's notice is easy-peasy, giving you much more freedom to skip town and be somewhere you want to be. Ahoy!
4) You're unfufilled
Look, if you're reading this, chances are you're not loving your current situation. At work, in a relationship, or even in your city, feeling unfulfilled is a dangerous spiral when combined with the daily grind. Travelling can be an escape from a job you hate, a relationship that's rubbish, a commute that makes you believe you may die from frustration. Getting away can offer a new perspective and you never know, the things of your dreams may reside outside of this world of teacups and corgis.
5) You're not a kid anymore
Be honest: if you'd gone travelling straight out of uni, would you have ended up a) passportless b) in a foreign prison or c) enjoying so much of the local produce you, er, leave a trail of brain cells across the globe? Well, these days you're much more grown up, able to handle yourself and are ready to take on the hidden treasures of the world with grace and dignity....right?
Are you planning on taking your own career break to travel? Tweet us @MyDailyUK
Feeling inspired? Get a real idea of the experience with Dannii's travel diary