Hey travel bestie,

In 2019 I set a big goal.
I wanted to travel every single month.

And I did it.

It was fun and full and memorable. It was also exhausting. By the end of the year I felt like I was chasing a checklist more than I was enjoying the trips themselves. So in 2020, I told myself I would slow down.

(The world clearly took that to heart. Sorry about that.)

Fast forward.

In 2025 I traveled every month again, but it felt completely different. Some big trips, some small weekend trips. Less pressure. More intention. I said yes to the trips that made sense for our family, our schedule, and our energy, not just to hit a number.

Now 2026 already has trips in 9 of the 12 months. And here’s the honest truth. I’m excited, but I also know that if we need to cancel or change something, that is okay too.

I’m sharing this because I know how easy it is to feel behind.

Maybe you see families who seem to be on a plane every other week. Maybe you keep saying “we should travel more with the kids” and then feel guilty when life gets busy, sports take over, or your teen would rather hang out with friends.

Look, I get it.

Goals are great. Travel goals are even better. But they should not stress you out.

You do not have to travel every month to be a “travel family.”
You do not have to check off a certain number of states or countries to make this season with your teens count.

You get to decide what “travel more” looks like for your family.

That might be:

• One big trip this year and a couple of easy weekend getaways
• Staying closer to home and exploring places within a 2-hour drive
• Planning around your teen’s school, sports, or work schedule so you have fewer trips, but more intentional ones
• Saying no to trips that don’t feel right, even if it means your calendar looks emptier than someone else’s

None of that makes your travel “less than.”

If your travel goals feel like another item on your already packed to-do list, it might be time to rewrite them so they work for you instead of against you.

Here is a simple way to start.

Ask yourself:

Not Pinterest-perfect. Not what that full-time travel family is doing. Just you, your partner, your teens, and your real life.

Then pick one next step.

• Choose one month to protect for a family trip
• Block a weekend for a quick getaway
• Make a short list of 3 places you want to explore together
• Open a fresh note in your phone and start a “trip ideas with teens” list

That is you making progress toward your travel goals without turning it into a numbers game.

I’d love to hear from you. Hit reply and tell me what “travel more” looks like for your family this year. Is it 1 trip, 4 trips, 12 trips, or something completely different?

Whatever your number is, it counts.

Talk soon,
Tonya 🧳

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