3 New Year's Resolutions For Travelers

2016 might be in full swing, but it's not too late for avid travelers to make a resolution that may change their year for the better. Here are three you should consider keeping in mind for the next 12 months and beyond. 

Get to know the city you call home.

Travel wish lists abound these days — places like Iceland, the Maldives, and Switzerland seem to be calling the name of every aspiring adventurer. But to truly get to know oneself, you should appreciate where you find yourself during your off days — the "run-of-the-mill" parts of life. And once you start exploring your home city or state, you'll probably see that where you live out most of your days couldn't be further from "run-of-the-mill." Go on weekend trips around the area, take your friends camping, and spend a day visiting all the touristy destinations around the town you live in.

Give traveling alone a try.

Many travelers shy away from exploring alone due to fears of loneliness, but more often than not, those who have done it find it's an opportunity for self-discovery and immeasurable growth. You'll discover new facets of yourself, as well as building confidence and trust in yourself as a capable leader. Another plus? You don't have to worry about anyone else's agenda. If you want to spend an extra hour looking at Egyptian artifacts at a museum, you spend that extra hour, and there's no need to apologize or answer to anyone else. You also have the opportunity to make a lot of new friends, and sometimes it's easier to fully dive into those friendships when you're by yourself. If you're worried about safety, never fear — the most important tip you can follow is to constantly be aware. Learn a few self-defense moves just in case, research the shady areas of your destination and stay away from them, stick to public areas, and follow your instincts. Immediately leave a situation where you feel unsafe.

Try not to over-plan.

If you describe yourself as a "planner," you're probably familiar with the overwhelming urge to schedule every moment of your trip from start to finish. But methodically checking off a long list of landmarks and must-see sights probably won't bring you as much happiness as living in the moment and leaving room for new experiences that come up, like seeing a flyer for an intriguing concert that night or getting invited by new friends to go dancing. It's always prudent to research your destination ahead of time to find out what you want to see, but make sure you leave room for the spontaneous gifts life can surprise you with.