There are too many excuses given by millennials as to why they are not traveling, the most given being “I don’t have the funds." This can be very true in some cases, as many of us have bills, student loans or insurance to pay for. Not to forget about the money set aside for other activities. But let me share something with you—I pay for everything out of pocket, have no debt and still manage to save up for travel. It’s true that when I return home, I eat like a sick child, have barely enough to cover car fuel and definitely not enough to buy such a luxury as a candy bar, but to me, it’s all worth it.

Whenever I talk about travel with others, I tend to hear remarks about dreams, places they hope to visit, all with a hope to make it there “one day.” This leaves people with the choice to do the only thing they are trained to do from the start: educate yourself for a job that pays well, find said job, create the good ole white picket fence life and eventually pass away. This can be nice, especially if that is your goal, but if your ambition is to see the world, then that life will be too comfortable. To the point where you may end up constantly having a thirst for a life of adventure, for new sights and smells, something new or exciting. I personally couldn’t stand a life like that and neither should you.

Warning: It’s not easy!

Living this life, a life of travel during every available school break, is not easily handed to me. I work hard and I sacrifice many things. I have given up buying new clothes, fixing my car’s air-conditioning and so on. These things are tedious and unnecessary to live a comfortable life. I work three jobs—one for my bills, one for school and one for my savings account. I attend school full-time to receive a few grants to help cover school costs and hardly have a social life. To be honest, my social life happens when I travel. It’s sad at times, especially since I have friends back home that hate when I am too busy, but then again, I’ll sacrifice sleep for them. To live a life you desire, you must surrender and submit all things to get to where you want. No matter if it is to travel or find your dream career.

I won’t lie to you—it sucks on certain days. I hate having to go to work covered in sweat because of my AC. I am tired most days and I tend to cry when I don’t have enough time to finish a school assignment, but then I think of my goal and I find the strength to go on. If travel is what you have been dreaming of since you read that article on Jordan in National Geographic, then it’s time to get a second job or ask for more hours and work hard for that objective.

And then go on that adventure, spend all that you’ve worked hard for. Make memories, create lasting friendships, eat amazing and interesting food, rent that car and go for a road trip. Whatever it may be, do it. Do it with pure joy and happiness and don’t stress. You’ll get back on your feet, you’ll find another job, you’ll be able to survive. And then you’ll have the memories that give you strength to go on, yet again, for another adventure.