How to Make Travel a Priority: The Secret to a Happier Life? Plan Your Vacation Now

By: Annette Miller
January 21, 2026

Vacation days are a gift—yet Americans leave more than 700 million of them unused each year. That’s precious time that could be spent with family, making memories, and reconnecting with what matters most.

At Wishes Family Travel, we believe your well-being is worth protecting—and that starts with planning ahead.

Try This:

Mark your calendar with vacation time before the year gets away from you. Even if you’re not sure where you’ll go yet, blocking off those days makes it much more likely you’ll take them.

Planning Tips:

• Start with National Plan for Vacation Day (the last Tuesday of January)

• Block out time for weekend getaways, milestone celebrations, and girls’ trips

• Work with a travel advisor to map out dream vacations 3–5 years in advance

Visualizing your calendar helps you create space for the things that bring you joy.

Need Help Getting Started?

I’ve created a printable calendar planning tool to help you sketch out your year. Just let me know if you’d like a copy—I’d love to send it your way!

Planning a vacation can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. I’m here to guide you through the details so you can focus on what truly matters—creating incredible memories with the people you love. Need help getting started? I’ve created a printable calendar planning tool to help you sketch out your year. Just let me know if you'd like a copy.

Connect with me:

Be sure to check out my other “How to Make Travel a Priority” blogs, which will be posting over the next few weeks. You can find the first two here:

Start Your Year Off Right—with a Dream and a Plan
The Perfect Time to Travel Is Sooner Than You Think