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There is some crazy statistic that 90% of visitors to the national parks never go past the main viewpoints, so if you hike at all you’ll get away from the crowds and see so much more than the average visitor. Hiking is the best way to see the true splendor of the parks, and there are so many options for different ability levels. You can hike at pretty much any age, but it’s definitely easier to get out hiking while you are young so let’s get into the wilderness! Safety tips: make sure you have plenty of water, you have a map, a guide, or know where you are going and pack the 10 essentials for safety.

A few years back, I went to a conference in a state I never thought I’d visit: South Carolina. I went with zero expectations, and I ended up being completely blown away by the beauty out there. There are so many underrated places in this world, you just have to open up your mind to the possibilities and keep a positive attitude. You never know what place might be your favorite trip yet! Travel tip: go to Google Flights, hit “explore” and pick the cheapest flight from your home airport as your next travel destination! Being spontaneous while you’re still young is definitely one of the best parts of being in your 20s, so take advantage of it now!

I am an adventure traveler through and through, so when I had the opportunity to study abroad in Australia in college, I immediately learned how to scuba dive so I wouldn’t miss the Great Barrier Reef. Learning how to dive opened up a whole new underwater world, and I’m so grateful I took the leap. Your 20s are all about experimenting and discovering who you are, and learning a new skill is such a great way to explore your passions and callings. Try skiing, snowboarding, surfing, hiking, or even just attempt a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try, like playing guitar, learning a new language, crocheting, or anything really – there’s so much to explore!

Let’s make THIS YEAR the year you improve your photography the most and push your editing skills to the next level! Even if you don’t think you are a “true photographer” and all you want to do is improve your phone photos to capture your bucket list memories, it’s always a great time to improve your photo skills.

And news flash: no one wakes up being an expert photographer. I honestly think so much of it is a numbers game – just keep taking more and more shots and along the way you will improve (seriously, practice is EVERYTHING!). You can definitely take steps to improve your eye for composition and develop your editing skills, but don’t let anyone else’s work or playing the comparison game detract from trying to build your own skills. You got this!

If you never grew up camping or doing much in the outdoors, it’s okay, now is the perfect time to get out into nature! If you are worried about not having all of the skills or don’t know how to set up a tent, go camping with friends with more experience who can help teach you all the essential skills, or even give car camping a try! Car camping doesn’t require a tent and you can pack your food in and make it all as easy as possible. Camping is so worth trying at least once: waking up to the sounds of nature, getting outside, making s’mores, spending time with friends – there are so many experiences waiting to be had! 

Already been camping? Challenge yourself to give backpacking a try instead! Being able to hike further and spend the night outdoors opens up your outdoor adventures so much, I highly recommend it!

There is so much societal pressure in your 20s to find your “perfect partner” and settle down, but I think your twenties is just such a great time to keep investing in your female (or male!) friendships – these are the people who will be here for all your big life changes! Having that support and friendship is so valuable, and taking a friends trip is the PERFECT way to make some amazing memories with your friends! So plan a girls trip (or a boys trip) this year, you won’t regret it!

I’m pretty sure no one would turn down a chance to relax on a tropical island – warm weather, sunshine, delicious food and drinks, swimming in the ocean – it’s basically the dream escape from the 9-5. January is a great time to start booking for later in the year, and I think having something to look forward to is also a great way to combat feelings of seasonal depression, especially when the weather is so bad. Bonus: take your girls along and make this your girls trip to cross TWO things off your bucket list experiences!

Every time I visit a new place, I am struck by the twin desires to immediately re-visit it to see all the sights I missed on the first trip, but then also to see a brand new place I just learned about. My travel wish list only ever grows and doesn’t shrink, but I think there is a lot of value to returning to a favorite place. You know all the best spots already, you get to see your favorite things, and it’s all around an easier trip than planning and researching something new. Last year, I visited Sedona for the first time and barely scratched the surface of it, so this year I am excited for a repeat visit to see favorite spots and to explore new spots I didn’t get to last time.

Attending a conference is one of the best ways to learn and improve your skills, and it’s also a fantastic opportunity to network with other creators and/or future travel-buddies. Instead of spending your money on the latest photography gadget, invest it instead in your own education, and I promise that the returns will be so much greater than an upgraded camera model. 

Even if you are not a photographer or content creator, attending a conference in your chosen field of study/work is SUCH a fantastic way to connect with your peers, make new friendships, and bonus, you get to travel somewhere new!

When I was growing up, I always thought I was such a fearful person and that I wasn’t very brave. But I realized that doing things scared and challenging myself with experiences that frightened me, was actually the very essense of being brave. Now I push myself to face my fears because it is in those exact spaces that I know I grow the most.

KEY TAKEAWAY: this does NOT mean I’m saying to go out and stand on the edge of a cliff or something, it just means you should try to face any fear at all, no matter how small. Whether that is getting back into biking after a crash, standing up for yourself in relationships and setting boundaries, or facing anything that makes you scared, anxious, or uncomfortable, challenge yourself to grow and face your fears. Of all the things you could invest in in your twenties, investing in yourself and putting your self-growth as a bucket list goal is something you won’t ever regret doing.

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My 2019 National Park Travel & Photography Bucket List Around the U.S. and Beyond