6 Travel Planning Mistakes People Make at the Start of the Year

January has a way of making everything feel urgent.

New year. New plans. New pressure to have it all figured out.

If travel is on your mind right now, you might already feel the pull to start booking flights, locking in dates, and filling your calendar before life gets in the way. And while planning can absolutely be exciting, there are a few common mistakes that tend to show up this time of year—often leaving people feeling overwhelmed before they’ve even packed a bag.

Last week, we talked about how planning ahead can help take your travel from a dream to reality. This week, we’re going to talk about a few things to keep in mind to make sure that reality stays… well, real.

Mistake #1: Planning dates before knowing why you want to travel

Before choosing when or where, it helps to ask a quieter question:

What do I actually want this trip to give me?

Rest? Adventure? Time in nature? Space to breathe?

Without that clarity, it’s easy to plan a trip that looks good on paper but doesn’t feel good once you’re there. Travel works best when it supports your life—not when it competes with it.

Pro tip: Coordinate travel dates with other set-in-stone commitments throughout the year in a way that gives you room to breathe. You don’t want to attend a wedding one weekend, come home, and immediately turn around to pack for a week-long international trip three days later.

Mistake #2: Overcommitting too early

The start of the year can bring a strong urge to fill the calendar quickly, as if leaving space means missing out. But booking too much, too soon often creates stress instead of excitement.

Leaving room in your year—financially, emotionally, and energetically—gives you flexibility. It allows you to adjust plans as your needs change (which they almost always do).

You don’t need to decide everything in January.

Pro tip: Instead of booking an entire trip right now, schedule time to think about it. Want to travel to Europe in August? Block off the time you’d like to go, then schedule planning time in March or April to look at flights or book accommodations.

Mistake #3: Confusing inspiration with obligation

Scrolling travel content can be inspiring… and quietly overwhelming.

Just because a destination is trending or someone else’s trip looks magical doesn’t mean it’s right for you this year.

Inspiration is meant to spark ideas, not create pressure. You’re allowed to want different things. You’re allowed to say “not right now.”

Pro tip: Decide what kind of year you want this to be:

• A discovery year (new places, long-held dreams)

• A recovery year (comfort destinations, wellness, slow travel)

• Or a mix of both

Let those intentions guide your plans.

Mistake #4: Ignoring energy levels and burnout

This one shows up a lot for caregivers, helpers, and people in emotionally demanding careers.

There are many travelers (not me—I’m firmly in my slow-travel era—but I’ve had plenty of companions who are the opposite… cough) who feel that if you’re traveling, you need to pack in as much as possible to make it “worth it.”

It’s a valid concern. Travel often feels like a limited opportunity, and people want to make the most of it. But there’s a drawback to that approach.

If you’re already running on empty, an intense, packed itinerary might feel exciting at first—but exhausting in reality. Leaving a trip completely depleted can make it harder to reenter daily life and even less motivating to travel again in the future.

Pro tip: Schedule white space into your itinerary. Actual room to breathe. If you’re feeling energized once you’re there, that open time becomes the perfect opportunity for something spontaneous.

The truth is, travel doesn’t have to be go-go-go to be meaningful. Sometimes the most impactful trips are the ones that leave you feeling steadier, calmer, and more like yourself.

Mistake #5: Not Giving Yourself Grace to Say No

It happens to the best of us. You have a trip coming up—or one you’re getting ready to plan—and just thinking about it makes you feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

Maybe something unexpected came up with family. Maybe work needs more of your attention than you anticipated. Or maybe you just don’t feel good about going anymore (which is completely valid).

Listen to that inner voice. While some of us do need a little push to try new or energy-consuming things (hi, it’s me), forcing yourself into a trip you truly don’t want to take rarely ends well.

Pro tip: If you do end up canceling or postponing plans, try to still do something restorative during that time. Schedule a massage, take a quiet hike, or go out to eat somewhere special—honor the space you created.

Mistake #6: Thinking you have to do it all alone

Travel planning doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. You don’t need to become an expert, compare a hundred options, or second-guess every decision.

Having support—someone who listens to what you actually want and helps shape a trip around that—can completely change how planning feels. That support might come from travel companions, online communities, friends and family… or your friendly travel planner 👋

Pro tip: This isn’t meant to detract from solo travel, which can be incredibly meaningful. But planning—whether for a solo trip, a group adventure, or something in between—doesn’t have to be an exercise in isolation.

Another pro tip: A travel planner can often save you time, stress, and money—and typically costs the same or less than planning everything on your own.

A softer approach to planning

If there’s one thing to carry into this year, let it be this:

Travel doesn’t need to be rushed to be meaningful.

You’re allowed to plan slowly.
You’re allowed to change your mind.
You’re allowed to let travel serve you.

And if you decide to partner with us, we’re here to help you plan trips that fit your energy, values, and real life—not just the calendar.

Yours in flight,

Tianna