How I Decide Which Activities Are Worth Booking
Introduction
I don’t travel with a fixed rulebook — and I definitely don’t travel with just one mindset.
Some trips are about treks, silence, and slow living.
Others are about doing, feeling, and experiencing everything a place has to offer.
And yes — I do have an activity checklist.
Skydiving.
Bungee jumping.
Scuba diving.
Surfing.
Desert safari.
I book these too — not because I’m chasing checklists blindly, but because adventure is also a big part of who I am.
This is how I actually decide which activities are worth booking — emotionally and practically.
I Accept That FOMO Is Real — and That’s Okay
Let’s be honest.
When I travel to a city like Dubai, I don’t want to come back thinking:
“I wish I had done that.”
So yes, sometimes I book activities because I don’t want to feel left out — and I’m okay admitting that.
FOMO isn’t always a bad thing.
Sometimes, it pushes you to experience something once in a lifetime, especially when:
- The destination is known for it
- The activity may not be easily available elsewhere
- You’re not sure when you’ll return
The key is not avoiding FOMO — it’s managing it wisely.
I Separate Adventure Trips from Soul Trips
This changed everything for me.
When I go for a trek or mountain journey, my priorities are different:
- Nature
- Simplicity
- Inner experience
But when I go on a city or international trip, I’m more open to:
- Adventure activities
- Iconic experiences
- Things the destination is known for
So if a place offers skydiving, desert safaris, or water sports — I consider them seriously.
Different trips, different intentions.
I Do Love Adventure — And I Own That
I genuinely enjoy:
- The adrenaline rush
- The fear before the jump
- The feeling after completing something intense
Adventure activities push me out of my comfort zone — and that’s something I value deeply.
So when I book bungee jumping, skydiving, or scuba diving, it’s not just for photos.
It’s because I love testing my limits and feeling fully alive in the moment.
That joy matters.
I Still Ask: Is This Worth My Energy & Money?
Even with adventure activities, I pause and ask:
- Is this experience well-organized?
- Is it safe and reputed?
- Does the price feel justified for what’s offered?
- Will I regret not doing it more than doing it?
If the answer leans toward yes, I book it.
If something feels overpriced, rushed, or poorly managed — I skip it, even if it’s popular.
I Mix Booked Activities with Unplanned Time
This balance is very important to me.
I might book:
- Skydiving one morning
- A desert safari another day
But I’ll still leave:
- Evenings free
- Days with no fixed plans
- Space to just walk, rest, or talk to people
This way, my trip doesn’t feel like a race — even when I’m doing a lot.
I Don’t Try to Do Everything — Even If I Do A Lot
Yes, I book many activities on city trips.
But I don’t try to cover everything just to prove something.
I’m okay skipping:
- Activities that feel too commercial
- Things that don’t excite me personally
- Experiences that don’t align with my energy at that time
Doing almost everything doesn’t mean doing everything blindly.
I Judge My Trip by How It Felt — Not How Much I Did
At the end of a trip, I don’t ask:
“Did I complete the list?”
I ask:
- Did I enjoy myself?
- Did I feel present?
- Did I challenge myself in ways I wanted to?
- Did the trip feel fulfilling?
Sometimes that comes from a jump out of a plane.
Sometimes it comes from a quiet walk or a shared meal.
Both are valid.
Final Thoughts
I don’t travel with rigid rules anymore — but I also don’t reject checklists completely.
I book adventure activities because I love them.
I leave space because I need it.
And I’ve learned that the best trips happen when you allow yourself to be both intentional and impulsive.
Because travel isn’t about choosing one style —
it’s about choosing what feels right for that journey.
Rinkal
Rinkal is a passionate traveler from Ahmedabad who loves exploring hidden gems, savoring local foods, and sharing adventures with fellow wanderers. Rinkal’s goal is to inspire others to travel on a budget while truly experiencing the essence of each place.
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