How Do I Travel So Much?

Over the past month, I've been fortunate to see an increased interest in this blog. Without a doubt, the most frequent question from my readers has been, "How do you manage to travel so extensively?"

The answer to this question is a journey in itself - a deliberate path I've paved by prioritizing travel and aligning my life decisions with this passion. It's a conscious choice, often deviating from the "conventional" path, grounded in the understanding that travel isn't just a hobby for me; it's an integral part of who I am.

Hiking the Swiss Alps

If you've read through my About Me section, you're familiar with my story. I was blessed to have traveled abroad at an early age, accompanying my parents on trips to Iran to visit relatives. There, I witnessed distinct differences in culture, traditions, customs, cuisine, relationships, and lifestyles compared to back home in the US.

At the age of 21, I traveled abroad alone for the first time. As I detail in one of my first blogs, the trip was to Bali, Indonesia for a student conference. Despite concerns from my friends about my solo journey, I took the plunge, and the experiences, people I met, and memories I created were invaluable. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to exploring the world.

Visiting Uluwatu Temple in Bali

Throughout graduate school, I made it a point to travel to a different country every year. A turning point occurred towards the end of my Post Graduate Year 2 (PGY-2) Critical Care Pharmacy Residency. Despite being offered a promising role as a Critical Care Clinical Pharmacy Specialist—a position I had trained extensively for—I declined.

While the opportunity was professionally promising, in my gut I knew it wasn't right for me. When I looked around at those who I had worked with, none of them were living the life I wanted to live - a life of travel and exploration. So, without a solid backup plan, I turned down the offer.

In Pisa on my post-residency trip

This decision didn't come easy for me. I can't tell you how many of my peers and colleagues thought I was crazy. But even though I didn't know what would come next for me, I knew that this opportunity wasn't it. So, I saved up my money the rest of the year and when my residency was over, I went to Europe for 6 weeks to clear my head and gain perspective.

Four weeks into my journey, I received a call from my hospital offering me a position as an Informatics Pharmacist. Despite the lower-than-expected salary, I accepted, recognizing the non-monetary benefits it provided, particularly the flexibility to travel at my leisure without clinical constraints. This decision has shaped the last decade of my life.

Admiring Porto

Working at my institution has granted me ample travel opportunities through their generous paid-time off (PTO) policy. Over the years, I've accumulated PTO equivalent to what citizens of European countries receive. Could I make more money elsewhere? Perhaps. Yet, the combination of generous PTO and the freedom to travel without the pressure of finding coverage or worrying that taking time off would negatively impact my performance evaluations has been unbeatable. But this is only one aspect of it.

Creating a travel-centric lifestyle requires financial planning. I've developed a unique budgeting approach that allows me to save enough for my trips. Deliberate resource allocation and intentional financial decisions have enabled me to make travel a consistent part of my life. For instance, I refrain from splurging on fancy, expensive items for instant gratification and instead choose to invest in travel experiences that bring me lasting fulfillment.

It's important to note that being single and without children has significantly simplified the financials and logistics of my travels. I acknowledge this as a privilege, enabling me to explore beyond the U.S. borders with relative ease. My solo status provides the flexibility to spontaneously embark on trips, immerse myself in diverse cultures, and navigate the world on my terms.

A cold day in Berlin

In essence, the short answer to the question of how I manage to travel so much is that I prioritize it and make life decisions that support it. This involves intentional decision-making, the courage to deviate from societal expectations, and a commitment to meticulous financial planning. While unconventional, it's a path I've chosen with passion and purpose, and I'm grateful for the enriching experiences it continues to offer.

As I share more about my travels, my intention isn't to persuade you to make travel your priority. While I believe that traveling the world is one of the most enriching experiences, I understand that everyone finds enrichment in different ways. My hope is to inspire you to pursue your unique path, embracing opportunities aligned with your deepest passions.

With gratitude,

Amin